I competed this weekend at Grapplers Quest World Series Of Grappling in Asbury Park New Jersey. It was my second tournament since being promoted to blue belt in October. Paramount BJJ sent over a dozen competitors and there were lots more from other Team LLoyd Irvin schools. Overall it was a good day, Paramount and Team LI took home lots of medals and also experience for 2011.
I won first place in the Blue Belt Cruiser weight division, but there were only 2 other competitors in my division so i only got to do one match. It was bittersweet accepting this medal, of course i wanted to win, but i also wanted to have more matches(I was expecting 4 or 5). It doesn’t feel as good to win when the path to get there isn’t challenging. Its hard when I do everything I need to do, like training hard, making weight, and getting out there and winning, and not have it feel like a real accomplishment. I also didn’t get the experience i was hoping for to prepare myself for Pan Ams. All i can do is continue to work hard, believe in myself, and compete as much as possible.
I would like to congratulate all my teammates that competed. I would like to thank my instructor Brad Court for helping everyone to prepare, and also for coming out to coach everyone. I would also like to thank my strength and conditioning coach Ryan Zuever from Guerrilla Strength And Conditioning. I cant wait for 2011, Team LI will be tearing it up on the competition scene!!!