The ADCC UK Open in London kicked off on Sunday 1st October 2006. The winners from the advanced divisions of this event would get a chance to qualify for the European event.
I was taking part too. I arrived at around 10.30AM and just wondered in, no-one checked our names or whether we’d paid, and there was only three mats laid out, ‘they’ll be more set-up’ I thought. Unfortunately there wasn’t. There was no warm-up mat at all. Nevertheless I looked forward to a good day.
The weigh-ins for the advanced divisions got underway straight away and then the rules meetings began. (He explained standard rules, no striking, biting etc) Thankfully I already had a copy of these, as I struggled to hear what was being said, as did most I think.
The event got off to a good start with the advanced guys looking really ready for some intense fights, there was a fair few spectators for what many would describe as a reasonably small event, and they didn’t disappoint. Many fights were close calls that were decided in the last seconds of extra-time by a takedown or sweep. Although at times it was tough for the referees to communicate what points where being awarded to whom, all fights were judged fairly and any mistakes that were made while the fights were happening were soon corrected before a result was announced. Meaning no-one had any complaints.
In the afternoon the novices competed, but this didn’t mean the standard dropped. They put on some great fights too, and the eventual finals were good to watch. If this is the low level of grappling in the UK it looks as though the standard here is on the way up. Black belt Marc Walder was at the show but was unable to compete due to a knee injury, although he was about talking to people and coaching some of his students.
As usual in these events it ran over-time, which resulted in the absolute divisions being cancelled, this was a shame as it could’ve potentially resulted in some interesting battles, but that’s one to look forward to, next time.
To round-up it was a good day, on the most part enjoyed by all who attended and competed, and although there was certain troubles with mats and times, that was nothing that’s not often seen at events, and without people organising events we wouldn’t have any.
Without wishing to blow my (our) own trumpet, one of the best matches I remember seeing was a guy from out club, Tolly, in the final of his division the novice -91kg. He was fighting a guy from Rio Grappling Club; Ryan Soosanazad who had looked good all day. It was a real test of both fighters determination, with both guys looking for shoots take-downs and submissions, in the end Ryan took mount and eventually Tolly’s back meaning he won on points.
As for my personal experience, it wasn’t what I hoped. I fought someone who did what I’d hoped they would; pull guard, then stand, but as I followed my plan and tried to take the guillotine, he got side, and eventually worked around to the kimura, and that was it, I’d waited for hours on end for 1 minute and 42 seconds on the mat. Nevertheless it was a good experience and I’m in training for the next opportunity, whenever it pops up.
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