Interview with Gracie Gym coach and MMA fighter Kate Da Silver.
Jiu-Jitsu
At Rotorua's Gracie Gym the martial art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu - a combat sport system that focuses on grappling and especially ground fighting - is growing momentum.
And this weekend a group of talented youngsters will be competing at the 2016 Pan Pacific Kids Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship in Melbourne, Australia, in medal competitions for the first time in the club's history.
Introducing local fighters Milan Hilsdreth, 14, Massey Ferguson, 10, and Leah Da Silver, 10, coached by husband and wife team Roney - the current New Zealand head instructor, and Kate Da Silver, who will be acting as coach in Australia.
Zanetta Poretti, 15, instructed by Lukas Hainge from Papamoa's Martial Arts academy, is also competing as part of Gracie Gym's team on Saturday.
Kate Da Silva, 33, originally from Tauranga, said she had high hopes for her squad and highlighted daughter Leah and Poretti as ones to watch due to their experience level.
"I'm very confident they will all do very well over there," she said.
"They are already winning their divisions in New Zealand and getting gold every competition.
"And I think it will be amazing exposure for them internationally. They will get more confidence, competing overseas and it will open doors for them in the future.
"Zanetta and Leah are probably the strongest simply because of experience. It really makes a difference in such a big tournament and I expect very strong displays from them both."
Poretti, a two-time national youth champion, will be competing in a yellow belt bout at 55kg whilst Leah, a Selwyn Primary School pupil, will battle it out in a yellow belt 35kg fight.
Hilsdreth, a John Paul College student, will be in a yellow 58kg duel and Ferguson from Selwyn Primary School is in a yellow/white 58.4kg fight.
"I'm feeling very confident," said Poretti.
"I think my guard is very good and my speed.
"One thing I've been working on a lot is my mental game as I have struggled in the past with anxiety at competitions but this has improved a lot."
Kate Da Silva will be able to offer much advice and support to her team as a world-ranked MMA fighter with two national titles and an Australasia belt to her name.
TOP FIGHTER: Rotorua's MMA fighter Kate Da Silva will be coaching the Gracie Gym team in Melbourne. PHOTO/ STEPHEN PARKER.
And the New Zealand assistant coach has a black belt in Jiu-Jitsu - which took 11 years to achieve.
"I will be telling each of the team to believe in themselves - that is key," she said.
"They have to make sure they are first in the fight. Get in there and be aggressive and believe in your skills is what I'll say.
"Hopefully my experience can help them and this competition is a stepping stone.
"Especially if they aim to be a black belt and if they want to be a world champion one day this will be a great start, and I'm looking forward to them competing and doing really well."
The Gracie Gym team are flying out on Thursday before competing on Saturday at Melbourne's Sports and Aquatics centre.
To follow the competitors' progress visit Gracie Gym's Facebook page: @graciegymrotorua.
