Okay, so this is what Jiu-Jitsu looks like. For the longest time, my idea of Jiu-Jitsu is a generic term to any Japanese Martial Arts, may it be Karate, Aikido or Judo. I’ve been hearing this type of martial arts before but this is the very first time I witnessed a real competition and I found out that it wasn’t even Japanese of decent but Brazillian.
However the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or BJJ should not be construed with Capoeira because these are two different kinds of martial arts. BJJ focuses on the grappling and pinning an opponent down to submission by strategic hugging, head-locking limb twisting, etc. It is more like Judo without the throwing, while Capoeira is like a rhythmic dance with kicking and much better performed with Samba Music on the side.
Last week, the Philippines Jiu-Jitsu Association held their National Championship at SM Sucat Paranaque City. The championship was battled over by various teams coming from both local and international Jiu-Jitsu federations. I’m so glad I was able to witness real Jiu-Jitsu battle between different competitors. They even have female fighters who competed just as fierce as the men. This contact sport is beginning to intrigue me and I’m hoping to see more of these in the future.
The following are the official results of the recently concluded Philippines Jiu-Jitsu National Championship:
TEAM FABRICIO BAGS MOST MEDALS AT PHILIPPINE JIU-JITSU NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
TEAM FABRICIO dominated the two-day Philippine Jiu-Jitsu Gi/ No Gi National Championships held at the SM Sucat Event center over the weekend with a total haul of 60 medals including 22 Gold, 18 Silver and 20 Bronze Medals.Team Deftac Ribeiro came in second place in the medal standings with 12 gold medals, 18 silver and 13 bronze while Ronin BJJ won 12 gold, 7 silver and 4 bronze medals for a third place finish.
Over 200 competitors from Vietnam, South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, France, Australia, the United States and the Philippines competed in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Gi and No Gi divisions, as well as juniors and Children’s categories.The tournament is recognized by the International Jiu-Jitsu Federation and is locally organized by Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation of the Philippines (BJJFP) in partnership with SM Sucat. It is considered a precursor to the biggest gathering of JiuJitsu enthusiasts in the country which will be held in May at the SM Mall of Asia.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a martial art, combat sport, and a self-defense system that focuses on grappling and especially ground fighting. It was developed to allow a smaller, weaker person to protect him or herself from a larger, stronger opponent by using proper technique and leverage. Tournament organizer Stephen Kamphuis says he considers the Philippines as the “strongest nation in jiu-jitsu in Southeast Asia,” and that Filipino fighters have the potential to compete against the world’s best.
“The growth of BJJ is here is amazing,” said Kamphuis, who also served as a referee during the two day event. “We are the biggest practitioner of the sport now in Asia, after Japan and Australia in the Pacific, adds the New Zealand native. Kamphuis, who owns the popular KMA Martial Arts and Fitness Gym in Makati, credits the sport’s friendly atmosphere saying “BJJ can be practiced by all players of all ages, men and women.”
GI DIVISION
Leading the gold medal winners in the women’s white belt division was actress Mara Yokohama of Team Atos’ (under-53.5kg), Origin BJJ’s Paui Pena (u-58.5kg) and Team Fabricio’s Vanessa Lu (Over 58.5kg) who also won the gold in the women’s absolute class. Another celebrity who participated in the event was actor Rocco Nacino, who came up short in his first bout as a blue belt.In the master’s white belt 2 class the gold medalists were Ethelbert Chang (U-76kg) and Froilin Basco (O-82.3kg).
In men’s white belt division, the gold medal winners were Isaiah Paolo Salazar (U-64kg), Daniel Uychoco (U-70kg), Wilander Ordinado (U-76kg), Chuck Harold Luya (U-82.3kg), Monch Santiago (U-88.3kg), John Paulo Rolluqui (U-94.3kg) and Peter Witley (Over-100.5kg) who also bagged the gold medal in the men’s white absolute division.
The gold medal winners in the mens’s purple belt division were Gian Dee (u-64kg),
Shawn Weisenburgh (u-76kg), Gerard Gallos (u-82.3kg) and Chang-hoon Suk (over-94.3kg).
Meanwhile, Fitness Fight Club dominated the purple absolute division. Bagging gold in men’s brown belt division were Ken Noda (u-79kg) and Myengse Hwang (over-79kg) who also won the men’s brown absolute class.
In the children’s white belt-gi division, Gabriel Lorenzo Alava (u-30kg), Lucas Aguilar (u-35kg), Joshua Benjamin Dy (u-45kg) and Nicolas Gabriel Ceriola (u-55kg) emerged as gold medalists. Antonio Louix Ceriola won the gold in the children’s over 60kg event.
NO GI DIVISION
The gold medal winners in the junior white belt-gi divisions were Christian Mortil (u-58.5kg), Ef Sevilla (u-62kg) and Vince Leon Gatan (u-67kg). Dara Jorquia won the gold in the u-51.5 kg, while Vanessa Lu of Team Fabricio won the gold for over 56.5 kg and basic absolute. In the Mens Basic the gold medalists were Nelson Mendoza Jr. (u-55.5kg) Ariel Rosario (u-61.5) Jowar Agao (u-67.5) Archel Gaboleo (u-73.5kg) Joshua Chino Cua (u-91.5kg) JC Lopez (u-97.5). JC Lopez also won the gold for men’s basic absolute.
In the men’s advanced Shawn Weisenburgh won the under 91.5Kg while Ken Noda won the under 79.9kg men’s elite. Myengse Hwang of Machado-Korea got the gold for men’s over 79.9kg
Know more about the art of jiu jitsu and keep tabs on the exciting combat by following SM City Sucat on Instagram and Twitter (@smcity_sucat), and on Facebook (SMCitySucat).
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