This past weekend, I competed in my first Jiu-Jitsu tournament ever, as a blue belt! Although I’ve been training a little over two years and have been a blue belt for about five months now, I have never competed before. This wasn’t some local circuit tournament either, this was the prestigious IBJJF Miami Open.
This was a big deal because some of the best practitioners around the world travel to Miami in preparation for the world championships in Las Vegas this coming December. IBJJF being regarded as the one place where the best of the best come to compete and where you receive a ranking as one of the best in your division.
What’s cool about the way the brackets are set up is that you fight with people closely to your skill level. Same belt, same weight and close in age. I competed as a blue belt, Master 1 which is within the ages of 30-36 and at 141.6 lbs with the kimono on. I’m guessing it’s not a common combination for competition being I had only one other opponent in my division.
Once I knew I was competing I trained harder than I ever have before. This has been the most disciplined and consistent I’ve been since I started my practice and now even after competition I’m still in the same head space preparing for the next one. My overall goal to be the best of my ability and bring home some gold!
For two months I was taking class everyday roughly six days a week and even twice on some days in preparation. Going for runs early in the morning, calisthenic workouts, jumping rope and doing everything to get in tip top shape. Even though I was preparing for one match I wanted to have enough cardio and strength to push the pace and control my opponent.
I busted my ass training, monitoring my weight and making sure I was ready for the big day. As the day got closer I was more nervous but once I arrived to the facility, I was calm and ready for war. I felt more ready than ever because I worked hard and prepared for this moment.
An hour before my match I was going to eat some fruit for a little boost of energy and my coach wanted me to test my weight beforehand. I was 3 lbs over weight and had 1 hour to lose it or I’d be disqualified. This is where the battle really began.
I thought it was over, there was no chance I was going to make weight. How could I have been this much over? This couldn’t be possible, there was no chance but obviously my scale at home was wrong this entire time. No excuse, it was time to put in more work and make this weight.
For about 30-40 minutes, I jumped rope, wrapped in a garbage bag completely covered with layers of clothing while chewing on a quarter to build saliva and spit every time a took a break. I was tired but I kept breathing, pushing and praying that I will make weight. Win or lose, it will be on the mat and not by disqualification.
The pressure was on but we made weight and now it was time for the second battle. Started the match exactly how I trained, jumping for the attack and pulled guard. I didn’t get the submission right away but maintained control of the guard and got the sweep to obtain the first two points of the match. After a little scramble for dominant position, I slid into my opponents cross choke where he submitted me for the win.
I unfortunately lost my first jiu jitsu match but it felt like such a win. An amazing accomplishment because not only did I walk away with experience, I also proved that I am capable of accomplishing anything. The toughest part wasn’t losing my match, it was making that weight and thanks to my team we made it possible. With a little bit of hope and some deep breaths, anything is possible!