CALGARY – Athletes at Bow Valley Jiu Jitsu (BVJJ) exercised some serious mat skills and fought off submission attempt after submission attempt while looking for their own over the weekend in Calgary.
The mountain town team, which operates out of Canmore, raked in eight medals at Absolute Submission Challenge for adults and youth at Champions Creed on Saturday (May 11).
With 19 locals testing their jiu-jitsu abilities, it was BVJJ’s biggest club showing in its near four-year history.
“I think it says a lot about the club,” said Travis Erlam, BVJJ co-founder and instructor. “I think it goes to show that we did really well and the system we’re putting in place is definitely effective.”
In the children’s tournament divisions, BVJJ had the most little mountain ninjas competing with 11 athletes participating. Misha Jaeger won gold, Louis Jackson won silver and Hugo Notman, Marek Jaeger and Colby Wellis taking bronze medals in various categories.
“This was a beginner friendly, kid friendly tournament and they demonstrated skill in a safe environment and during yesterday’s class they all commented on positive things they want to start working on,” Erlam said. “It was a leap forward for the them. They get to see what they’re doing works and what we’re teaching them actually works.”
In the adult division, BVJJ’s Mark Wagner won gold, Carter Haines and Erlam won silver, and Adam Zekry took bronze.
Haines had three hard fought matches, winning his first two by submission before losing in the gold medal match.
The blue belt approached the competition with a “no pressure to perform” attitude.
“This all landed me a silver, which is great to me,” wrote Haines in an email. “I’m glad to see a sub in a match win or lose, that’s what the sport is really about in my opinion … [I’m] really striving to be a good leader for the kids I help to coach.”
