So last weekend I went to my first Brazilian Jiu Jitsu tournament here in Toronto and following up are some drawings on how it went:

COPA ONTARIO 2011

Coming in, it felt like everyone was seizing each other up.
Could this guy be one of my opponents? Or that guy?

Things were already happening, the tournament had started a couple hours earlier
Some things I saw before I got called to the mats:
A guy blowing out his knee before the match even started

And another breaking his nose on his opponents knee while going for a take down

But then they they called my name and I started warming up

and stepped on the scale to show that I had “made” weight

AND THEN IT WAS TIME TO FIGHT

To face the unknown monster that is looking to overpower you

In my head, I had planned to do great things.
Street Fighter moves!

Bud Spencer moves!

Astro Boy moves!

But in reality, most fights (between the inexperienced) looked like this:
Lots of tugging and pulling and not really any clear action.

After the first match, and only 5 minutes, my hands were already powered out and felt like dead pancakes at the end of my arms

And in my next fight, I nearly got caught in a triangle and got chocked unconscious

I was so tired afterwards, I could not even tie my belt and I was afraid that I might puke on the spot

But lo and behold, it had been enough to bring home a shiny silver object!
I had an amazing time thanks to the great people of Toronto BJJ and especially the guy behind it all, Jorge Britto.
(more pictures and a small write up HERE)
BONUS:


Thanks for reading!
Coming up soon: “How does it feel to get choked until you sleep?”