Synkowski defeats Gracie!
IBJJF World Championships, Cal State Long Beach, Long Beach, CA August 23rd -26th
Yes it was quite an exciting time at jiu jitsu’s biggest tournament, held for the first time outside of Brazil. The competition was TOUGH, as all of America’s best were on hand, as well the power houses from Brazil, Japan, and Europe. It was hard not to get overwhelmed, but it was time to go work and represent the hard work of all my students and team mates.
In the Purple Belt Medium Heavy Weight division I drew pro MMA fighter Bryan Guidry, from Rodrigo Vhagi’s school in St. Louis. I knew this would be difficult as I had scouted Bryan from the brackets that were released before the tournament. I came up with a game plan to implement. He got the takedown before I could pull guard, but once I got to half guard I began working my sweep series. I was able to get two sweeps for the win.
Next match was Seth Smith from Saulo Riberio Jiu Jitsu. I won the match on points, finishing on his back working for the gi choke.
Third I faced off against Brendan Raedy from Yamasaki Jiu Jitsu. I thought we would meet up, as I have fought him before on tournaments in the East coast. I worked to implement my game, but came up short, for the points loss. This was my third match, and he had a bye, so it was his first. Sometimes the winds of competition don’t blow in your favor and you just got to go with it. Raedy went on to win the Gold medal, proving he is a very tough competitor.
The following day it was time for the Purple belt Open weight division. There were 160 people signed up, but realistically about half drop out before it starts. I won my first match against an athlete from the Straight Blast Gym.
Second round I drew Kayron Gracie, the young son of Carlos Gracie Jr, head of the Graccie Barra team. Well, anyone who has been around jiu jitsu knows the contributions of the Gracie family, and the legacy that they represent. As you can imagine, I was excited about this match.
I had seen some of his earlier matches, and I knew Kayron liked to pull guard, so I beat him to the punch by pulling guard first. I also knew he would try to stand to open my guard, so I focused on breaking his grips, and using my weight to keep him kneeling. Eventually, he got my legs open for the pass, but I went to turtle and rolled for the sweep. He defended by going to turtle, which I countered with by taking his back. From there he sat through to mount, and escaped to half guard and worked a choke. I defended and came back to his guard. The match ended there. The ref raised my hand and I walked back to the pen.
Pictures of the match. (Video taping was against the rules)
The next match I drew Evan Brandon, a competitor from the Lloyd Irwin school with a black belt judo back ground. I was unable to keep him down in my guard, and he threw me around for the win, so my absolute division run ended there.
It was very exciting being a part of the highest level of jiu jitsu competition on the planet. Seeing the top black belt fighters was inspiring, and gives me renewed drive to get to that level.
Thanks to my students and team mates who really made this all possible. It is impossible to learn jiu jitsu by yourself, and I take what they have given with me when ever I compete.
Now, lets get back to the mats and keep the fire burning!
-Lee Synkowski