I was impressed to see how many "Grandparents" could!!!
What an experience at Masters/Seniors Worlds this past weekend! Just like Pan Ams and Adult Worlds, this weekend was filled with amazing Jiu Jitsu Practitioners, the difference this time though was the age of some of the competitors. I saw men and women competing their hearts out form age 29 all the way up to what looked like late 70's! It was the first time at a tournament that I felt like I was "only" 43.
As always it was great to watch my teammates compete! Glen Tharp (who competed for the 1st time) Kent Stonebraker, Claudio Rios (1st Time competing as Brown Belt) My Boyfriend Andrew Gardineer, extended teammates Erika and Giva Santana, James Foster and several other Lotus Club team members!
My day of competing ended with a Gold Medal but, what a struggle leading up to victory. This may be too much info for some of you men but, my weekend started with a struggle to loose those last 2lbs to make weight due to "Female Issues" forcing me to compete dehydrated and weak (and in my Black gi which wasn't patched up) I tested my weight Saturday morning when we arrived and I was 6oz under. I spent the day rinsing my mouth with water and starving, not something I believe in doing for a BJJ Tournament but, didn't have a choice at this point. My division ran 2 hours behind making it even tougher! Luckily....I secured an arm bar in the 1st 20 seconds of my 1st match, letting me save some energy. My second match however, went the distance (There was actually a timer issue and my match lasted 9 1/2 minutes) As much as I was temped to give up due to my lack of energy, some how I pulled though and ended up with a 6-2 win. (and got my 1st takedown ever! and was complimented on it by Kurt Osiander)
Jiu Jitsu tournaments are always fun to attend. It's really cool that BIG name athletes are competing on the mats mats and sitting next to you in the crowd. I did how-ever have an embarrassing moment while standing in line for Acai. The guy in front of me turned back and said "hey, I know you from FB, did you compete yet?" Me: "No, have you?" Him: "No, I will compete next year" at this moment I was saved from what would have been an even more embarrassing moment (I was about to ask if he was a White Belt) when his friends interrupted our conversation. After they walked away, we went back to conversation and I noticed his "Camarillo BJJ " shirt. Me: "Oh Your from Camarillo BJJ? I have friends from there" Him: Yes, I AM Dan Camarillo" Luckily he had a sense of humor and was not offended. I was bright RED!!
All in All....Great weekend at the ocean, being with friends and doing Jiu JItsu! I'm really happy I decided to attend this one!
Thanks to my awesome sponsors Gi-Soap, Kristens Photos & Herba-life!
Thanks Johnny Moses and Glen Tharp for these great pictures!
What an experience at Masters/Seniors Worlds this past weekend! Just like Pan Ams and Adult Worlds, this weekend was filled with amazing Jiu Jitsu Practitioners, the difference this time though was the age of some of the competitors. I saw men and women competing their hearts out form age 29 all the way up to what looked like late 70's! It was the first time at a tournament that I felt like I was "only" 43.
As always it was great to watch my teammates compete! Glen Tharp (who competed for the 1st time) Kent Stonebraker, Claudio Rios (1st Time competing as Brown Belt) My Boyfriend Andrew Gardineer, extended teammates Erika and Giva Santana, James Foster and several other Lotus Club team members!
My day of competing ended with a Gold Medal but, what a struggle leading up to victory. This may be too much info for some of you men but, my weekend started with a struggle to loose those last 2lbs to make weight due to "Female Issues" forcing me to compete dehydrated and weak (and in my Black gi which wasn't patched up) I tested my weight Saturday morning when we arrived and I was 6oz under. I spent the day rinsing my mouth with water and starving, not something I believe in doing for a BJJ Tournament but, didn't have a choice at this point. My division ran 2 hours behind making it even tougher! Luckily....I secured an arm bar in the 1st 20 seconds of my 1st match, letting me save some energy. My second match however, went the distance (There was actually a timer issue and my match lasted 9 1/2 minutes) As much as I was temped to give up due to my lack of energy, some how I pulled though and ended up with a 6-2 win. (and got my 1st takedown ever! and was complimented on it by Kurt Osiander)
Jiu Jitsu tournaments are always fun to attend. It's really cool that BIG name athletes are competing on the mats mats and sitting next to you in the crowd. I did how-ever have an embarrassing moment while standing in line for Acai. The guy in front of me turned back and said "hey, I know you from FB, did you compete yet?" Me: "No, have you?" Him: "No, I will compete next year" at this moment I was saved from what would have been an even more embarrassing moment (I was about to ask if he was a White Belt) when his friends interrupted our conversation. After they walked away, we went back to conversation and I noticed his "Camarillo BJJ " shirt. Me: "Oh Your from Camarillo BJJ? I have friends from there" Him: Yes, I AM Dan Camarillo" Luckily he had a sense of humor and was not offended. I was bright RED!!
All in All....Great weekend at the ocean, being with friends and doing Jiu JItsu! I'm really happy I decided to attend this one!
Thanks to my awesome sponsors Gi-Soap, Kristens Photos & Herba-life!
Thanks Johnny Moses and Glen Tharp for these great pictures!
