Chelmsford’s First Ever BJJ Tournament – June 2013

The Tournament was held at Laurence Sandum’s Black Belt Martial Arts Academy in Chelmsford and was sanctioned by both the United Kingdom Self Defence Association (UKMASDA) and the World United Martial Arts Federation (WUMA). It was promoted by Laurence Sandum and Gracie Jiu Jitsu Team Pedro Sauer UK.

Clubs attended from all over Essex, Kent and London. The competition was aimed at Adult White and Blue Belt Brazilian Jiu Jitsu players. There was a great turn out in the white belt section with nearly thirty white belts competing.

The competition was run in the spirit of Gracie Jiu Jitsu Self Defence. Hence, each match was a single round of ten minutes in length! Competitors could only win and get through to the next round by submission only. Submissions could be gained from the opponent tapping from an armlock, choke or strangle. This meant that apart from in a final, if after ten minutes there was no submission, both competitors were knocked out of the tournament.

The Winner of the Under 70kg Category was Andy Clarke from Karasac Club, Sidcup, Kent.

The Winner of the Under 80kg Category was Salaman Iqbal from Dartford BJJ, Dartford, Kent

The Winner of the Under 90kg Category was Matt Leathem from Laurence Sandum’s Black Belt Martial Arts Academy, Chelmsford, Essex

The Winners of the Over 90Kg Category was Colm Joyce from Dartford BJJ, Dartford, Kent and Martyn Morrisson from SDMartial Arts, Colchester, Essex. The Gold was shared as both competitors fought heart and soul for twenty minutes (ten minutes extra time was given) without a submission in the final.

The Winner of the Open Weight Blue Belt Category was Carl Eden from Dartford BJJ, Dartford, Kent.

The Winner of the “Ultimate Open Weight and Open Grade Category” was Salaman Iqbal from Dartford BJJ, Dartford, Kent.

Chief Referees were Gracie Jiu Jitsu Black Belt, Dave Birkett, and The Fitness Academy’s Chief Judo Instructor John McCarthy 6th Dan and former British and Multi Nations Champion.

Laurence Sandum’s Black Belt Martial Arts Academy specializes in grappling arts and holds regular classes in both Judo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ). It is the longest running BJJ Club in Chelmsford and also a centre of excellence for Judo and other martial arts. The club is affiliated to Gracie Jiu Jitsu Team Pedro Sauer Association.

If you are looking to learn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) in Chelmsford then please contact us to arrange a FREE Private One on One session with one of our qualified instructors, where we can discuss your individual requirements.