Today is my 39th birthday. ;-) I had one goal in mind when I began my journey to learn and compete in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and submission grappling... Earn a "Gold Medal in a Major Tournament", well I'm happy to report after six or so silver medal finishes I have finally earned myself a little piece of gold! Saturday I enjoyed a day at the US Open of Submission Grappling hosted by OTM (On the Mat) in Long Beach, CA. The event is hosted as part of a larger MMA and martial arts show. It was located in the Long Beach convention center (food is WAY OVER PRICED!!! $8.50 for two slices of pizza, WHAT!!!)
We (Team USA BJJ) brought just four grapplers to the Gi event. Saturday was for Gi competitors and Sunday No Gi. We came away with one Bronze and two Gold medals. The other gold medalist from our team was non other than young Johnny Munoz at 14 he's been training for twelve years in BJJ under his father, my coach and mentor John Kvenbo Munoz Owner/Chief Instructor of United Submission Academy in Norco, CA (www.teamusabjj.com). Also Ricky, "Slick" Lopez earned his first medal as a purple belt by bringing home a bronze in his division.
So how did this journey begin? A little over two years ago I visited my friend Jeff Frater on Father's Day. Jeff had invited me out to his studio many times to join his small group of well rounded submission grapplers for an open mat training day. Jeff and his guys had been fighting regularly in cage fights and submission grappling tournaments. I was intrigued by the sport and wanted to learn more so on Father's Day 2006 I visited Jeff and his guys. After two and half hours of non-stop learning I knew I was in for life. I wanted to be thin in the worst way (I weighed 225 lbs on that day) and I wanted to compete in grappling once again. But I hadn't been on the mat since my Junior year in college (1993 or so). It was going to be a long road to hoe for sure.
Jeff took me under his wing and I visited Jeff and his guys every weekend for almost three months straight, my first goal... "compete in a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu tournement". I alsmot immediately signed up for the American National, an IBJJF hosted event run out of Torrance, CA. It was going to be tough for no nothing white belt and Jeff wasn't sure i was ready but he let me sign up and compete anyway. The one saving grace, Jeff spent hours with me in the weeks leading up to this event setting a plan in place, a gameplan that would give me just enough tools to avoid getting caught by submissions and possibly submit my opponent if the chance arose.
When the American National tournament came up I was weighing in at a slight 168 (181 in Gi for weight ins that day). Yes, I lost over 50 lbs to compete in my first tournament. It was an awesome feeling. What was even better I made it to the gold medal round in my first tournament and missed a triangle submission simply because I forgot to hang on the guys head quickly once i locked my triangle. I lost to a four stripe White Belt (he earned his Blue Belt for his gold medal effort) on points to take second in my first tournament ever with almost no training. I was totally hooked and loved this experience. My wife and kids thankfully joined me that day and I was so happy to have them witness this event.
After training with Jeff I sought out a referral to a trusted coach near my home and learned John Kvenbo Munoz had trained previously in my other love Kung Fu San Soo and had been introduced to grappling arts by non-other than Master Lari Beebe (a multi-disciplined champion grappler/world class instructor trained under Judo Gene Lebell among many others). Lari told me John was a good man and was a talented black belt in BJJ. So I went to visit John and have never left since Nov 2006 or so was my start date.
Saturday was the culmination of well over a thousand hours spent on the mat, in the gym, dieting, running, studying, tapping and loving the sport of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. It might not be a world championship but for me it's my first evidence I've got what it takes mentally and physically to be successful in a martial art that many avoid simply because they've heard the workouts are tough and the competition tougher and sometimes unfair for non Brazilians.
After two years of Pan American and World Championships I will tell you that yes, it can be tough not training with a Gracie school to be favored in international Brazilian tournaments. But still the experience, the sense of accomplishment and potential for greatness are well worth minor frustrations that come from the occasional missed point or disqualification that stems from not focusing on international rules (that do not offer detailed examples of proper or improper technique, which leaves your fate in the hand of one referee often times).
Be that as it may. I have found a sport and martial art that I now dearly love and have embraced. I commit no less than four to five days per week to my training and I will tell you I have sacrificed much to make this possible along with my family. But there is much to accomplish and enjoy in this sport and I intend to enjoy it all throughout the rest of my life.
My next goal... to medal at Pan Ams and World's (Mundial) in the same year and to compete in the first ever Master's World Championships ever held on American soil, if that day ever comes.
I'll keep writing. I appreciate any comments received so please if you've taken time to read this far let me know you stopped in, tell me where you train and share a thought of your own about your experience. I'd love to read it.
Special personal thanks to Coach Lloyd Irvin for inspiring me to get back on the mat and challenge myself to compete in submission grappling at 36 years old. And to Phil Migliarese's and his Jiu Jitsu Matrix video sharing and of course JiuJitsuShare.com (the MySpace for BJJ) both are fantastic avenues for progression and understanding in BJJ. Coach Lloyd and Phil are two of the most gracious ambassadors to this art. Lastly to the Gracie Insider for sharing detailed techniques and training tips straight from the source at the Los Angeles Gracie Academy. You can't learn BJJ in a bubble and mentors and coaches are everywhere. Seek training partners, knowledge and education wherever it resides. I encourage anyone who wishes to enjoy good health, enjoyable training experiences and of course a great personal challenge to seek out BJJ instruction in your area. Take the challenge and find your inner champion!
Stay tuned for pictures and future events.
Best Regards and Happy Training to All,
Kenneth "socialFIEND" Knapp
