My First Euro's Comp

It's been a long while since I decided to go to the Euro's. I think it's got to be a good 8 months. Now a lot changes in that amount of time. But I still kept my eyes on the goal of getting a medal at the Eruo's.

So my flight was booked early October, and I think if I had not done this, I would not have gone, especially with the cost of the comp. £75!!!! That's one expensive comp.

I drove to London on the wed before the comp to fly out from Gatwick. I'm glad I did in the end. As I walked around the airport, I bumped into the GB Milton Keynes gang, and chatted and chilled with them. Upon passing security, thats where I started to spot the masses of fighters, The Carlson guys, The BJJ School, Oli and the RGA guys, John Keeley from up north (one of my opponents at a ground control) and many more.

The flight must have been 90% fighters at least. It was a good flight and one can't argue when I can walk off the other end. Had a good chat with John about random stuff, competing and training.

The comp, this is the biggest event I've been to. I was with the GB Milton Keynes guys, we where in the same hotal and we all fight under Braulio. I was looking forward to the day, lots of fights, my fights, and I had my trusty black eagle gi with me. The GB MK guys where all losing there first fights, not a good show for UK BJJ, but it's a learning experience.

As my time was coming, I changed, I went to the holding pen, it was chaos, the names where being called but you where lucky if you could hear them. I was focused, I wanted to smash, smash and smash. I was called up, my Gi was checked, I was weighed, we walked to our mat and waited for battle. we make grips on eash other and my opponent, pulls guard. there is a little tussle and I stand up. The ref is pointing at my pants, the opponent is pointing at my pants. This is where international language barriers come into play, I had no idea that my pants where ripped. I was told to go change my pants. I did not bring a spare pair (lesson now learned) so, after spending a lot of money to come to the Euro's, I had a choice, New Gi or give up. €140 Euro's later and 5 mins, I was back on the mat in a new Keiko Gi, confusing the Gi checker entirely. The game was back on. My opponent jumps guard again, I lock in a box choke, and the ref makes us get up and move to the centre, at this point I'm told to remove the box choke and put my arm under his head. from here, I just dominate him on positions and keep moving and scoring. the match ends with him in a brabo choke. But not finished. I want to finish him. But a win is a win.

round 2, was a fighter who trains in London. We engaged, he tries to throw me, I step over his leg and down he goes. We battle back up. He goes for a single leg, I grap his belt and can sprawl. As we get up there is a clash of heads (I'm now sporting a fetching black eye) and as we engage again, he jumps guard and my first reaction is to try an Ezikiel choke, and game over. Win 2 by submision.

Round 3 the final, I was up for this, the final battle of the day, everything is to be left on the battle field. We make grips, he then goes for double underhook, not something I'm used to really. I walk out of the area so we get reset. He does the same again but takes me down, gets side control and a kimura grip. the ref resets us in the middle. I escaped using something I'd learned the week before, regained guard and tried to play my game from there. I opened my guard to early and he passes, he gets my back and rear nakeds my face and tries to remove my head. Not my idea of fun and to protect my good looks and keep my head on my shouolders, I tap. Gutted, but Silver is good for my first showing at the euro's.

Day 2 I get promoted to Blue by Braulio and given my belt by Victor, I put my name down for the UK Team over 76Kg's Blue and continue to watch some awesome fights.

Day 3 is the team event. There is 5 of us and 5 of the under 76KG guys, we feel good and look forward to the battle. We're told that we have to fight in the order that we where put down when the list went through, very gutted especially as I'm fighter 4 and we lost 3 - 0 to finland. a bit gutted, but everyone put up a valient fight.

For the rest of the weekend I got to watch a lot of good fights, Especially Team Uk Purple over and under 76 KG, Oli geddes appearing on both and putting in a great effort. The Black /brown team pulling brazil and 4 brown belts vs 5 world class champion black belts.

I know it was an expensive weekend, but it was worth the money, lots of new friends made, appart from the Gi ripping, I can't think of a bad time there. If you've not done it, you should do it.