Gisborne fighters compete with distinction

Successful team: East Ocean Jiu Jitsu members competed with distinction in Auckland last month. They are, standing (from left): Tanya Jackson, Zane Lewis, Karn Payne, Taataau TeWhata, James Codling, Nick Webb, Hannah Webb, Renee Wikaire, Emerson Castillo, Matt Natad and Nathan Stills. Middle: Leo Pereira, (professor) Sacha Jackson and Steven Webb. Sitting in front: Max Logan, Hayze Middleton-Bennett, Hugh Stuart, Reuben Tait and Tihema Johnson.Picture supplied

MARTIAL ARTS

East Ocean Jiu Jitsu sent a large team to the New Zealand Grappler No Gi Nationals in Auckland last month.

Competitors at this event came from diverse martial arts backgrounds. They included exponents of judo, wrestling, Brazilian jiu jitsu and mixed martial arts (MMA). Over 600 entries were received.

Cousins Steven (in the intermediate division) and Nick Webb (in the advanced) retained their national titles in the masters bracket. For Steven it was the second year in a row he had won the title and for Nick, it was the third.

Nick’s 10-year-old daughter Hannah, competing in her first tournament, earned a silver medal after a narrow loss in her under-12 girls’ final.

Gold was the reward for Nathan Stills, competing in the junior men’s grade. Taataau TeWhata won silver in a slightly heavier junior men’s division.

Masters’ silver medals were won by Zane Lewis (in the beginner division), Karn Payne (intermediate), Hugh Stuart (advanced) and Leo Pereira (intermediate).

In the beginners’ division, fortune did not favour Emerson Castillo, who broke his hand after winning his first match.

However, medals were picked up by James Codling (bronze), Renee Wikaire (silver) and Reuben Tait (silver).

Coach (professor) Sacha Jackson noted that Hayze Middleton-Bennett and Matt Natad won hard-fought matches but fell just short of podium positions.

The team now set their sights on the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Nationals in August.