Brazilian jiu-jitsu: Nuku looking for national glory

Fighters, from left, Rangi Nuku, Tairi Ford and Rangitahi Rewiri are among the local competitors taking part at the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu No Gi Nationals tomorrow in Auckland. Photo / Ben Fraser

Unlike some sports, there is nowhere to hide when it comes to Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Just ask Rangi Nuku.

Nuku played rugby and league through his 20s and early 30s but has since turned his focus to Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

Nuku has found some challenges with his new chosen sport, but said the experience of getting on the mat to compete was simply awesome.

"It is much more of an individual sport. In league or rugby you don't get as nervous because there is 15 other guys around you - you are in a team, so you don't have those same nerves," he said. "But in BJJ you have to fight your nerves as well as your opponent ... it is a completely different experience."

Since getting into the sport two years ago Nuku has entered tournament after tournament, doing well as a beginner.

He is one of a good number of local fighters competing at the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu No Gi Nationals at Trusts Stadium in Auckland tomorrow.

If he wins his division - for beginners who have been fighting for less than two years - it will be his second national title this year.

"The goal is to win, it would cap off a really good year for me ... but even if I don't win I'm still happy with the year."

He won a national title earlier this year at the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Gi Nationals and recently brought home two gold medals from the Pan Pacific Championships in Melbourne.

"I'm feeling pretty confident and looking forward to the last tournament of the year," he said. "I'm also looking forward to next year and fighting in the intermediate division."

About six fighters from Rotorua's Immortals MMA/Tukaha BJJ gym are fighting tomorrow including Nuku, Tairi Ford, Rangitahi Estelle Mitchell-Rewiri, Cassandra Aloiai, Jasmine Nathan and Justin Franklyn.

Plenty of fighters from other gyms in Rotorua will also be taking part at the nationals.

Nuku said he first started training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu about two years ago for fitness, after his friend got him into it. "I have played team sports all my life, like rugby, and wanted to do something different. And I liked UFC, but I did not want to get in the ring and get punched out.

"I'm not young anymore, maybe if I was 10 years younger I would have tried [Mixed Martial Arts]."

He has since continued to train at Immortals MMA/Tukaha BJJ gym on White St and has achieved well at proper tournaments.

Nuku said his long-term goal in the sport was to get his black belt, which can take about 10 years, but he would just take it one year at a time.

The difference between no gi tournaments and gi tournaments in Brazilian jiu-jitsu refers to the type of attire worn by each fighter.

A gi is similar to the attire worn in karate, which makes it easier to grab on to your opponent. Whereas no gi tournaments make it harder to take the opponent to the ground.

If you'd like to get into Brazilian jiu-jitsu at the Immortals MMA/Tukaha BJJ gym call Jodi on 021 021 222 44.