Pics from NAGA. Submission Grappling and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Fun.

I might have mentioned that I was planning to compete in NAGA, which is one of the largest submission grappling tournaments in the States. Well, I ended up taking second in my division (flyweight beginner), which wasn’t so bad for my first tournament. To tell the truth, I was so nervous about it that I fully expected to lose my first match.

Luckily, fortune would reveal itself to be a kinder mistress.

In retrospect, I was not prepared for the toll my nerves would take on my endurance and stamina. That coupled with 5 matches (4 in no-gi, 1 in gi), of course. But as John Danaher (one of Renzo’s black belts and a teacher at the Academy) told me, “it only gets easier each time” in competition. I sure hope so.

I’m already in the midst of training for the next one (Abu Dhabi Amateur Division), set for late October. And I’m feeling the takedown training (am I ever…ouch).

Enjoy the pics.

Above: Final moments of my first no-gi match. Won via submission: ude gatame (pressing armlock).

Above: Controlling my opponent in open guard. Won via submission: spinning armbar (ju ji gatame).

Above: About to take a trip over my third opponent’s head. His takedowns were superb and he ended up throwing me 3 times in the match. Won via submission: ju ji gatame (armbar).

Above: The finals. Here I am down on points 0-1 and desperately need to get and sustain this side control to lead. Unfortunately, I ran out of gas. Loss via points.