Moose Jaw Fighters Win Gold At Provincials
Dominic Myers captured a pair of Silver Medals. Here he is working an arm bar on Tysen Holowatuk.
Photo Credit: Jode Kivol Photography
Nick Murray
Moose Jaw hosted the SaskBJJ Provincial Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Championships and the results are in: it was a success.
The event, which was held at Yara Centre on Saturday November the 10th, had over 200 fights, with competitors from all around the province, and kids from as young as 5 took part.
"Yara Centre was a great place to host it" said one guest, "usually these tournaments take place in High School gyms. Here there is so much space and lots of seating. Plus there is a lot of space for the kids to run around when they aren't competing."
Donald Booth, one of the coaches from Control Jiu Jitsu here in Moose Jaw felt the city proved to be a great place for events such as this. "We’ve demonstrated that by hosting the largest provincial tournament that Saskatchewan Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has seen."
Not only was the venue a success. So were the Control Jiu Jitsu competitors. They took home a combined 14 Gold, 18 Silver and 34 Bronze medals: a club record.
Nathan Bernard dominated every ounce of competition he faced. Winning two gold medals in the adult blue belt heavyweight division, of his 4 fights only once lasted longer than one minute. He also won Gold in the Absolute Men's tournament, submitting Wes Hutchison in 1:02 in the gold medal match.
"Nathan Bernard is a wizard" said Coach Booth, "we are very fortunate to have Nate as a coach and training partner at the gym."
Apparently it wasn't easy getting an action shot of Nathan Bernard (bottom), on account of he ended his matches too quickly. Here he is looking for a submission against Wes Hutchison. Bernard was the tournaments biggest winner, taking home three Gold Medals.
Photo: Jode Kivol Photography
Shane Kivol was also impressive. He fought 6 gruelling fights, each at seven minutes in length, against Tyson King from Estevan Combat, for Purple Belt supremacy. Each man won three matches a piece. Kivol earning Gold while wearing a Gi but settling for Silver in the No-gi competition
"Shane Kivol is a great competitor who is always in a tough bracket. He’s consistently pulled off gold at every tournament we’ve been to together" said Booth.
During one of their six gruelling battles, Shane Kivol managed to lift Tyson King high above his head and slam him down to the mat
Photo: Jode Kivol Photography
In the kids divisions, Roque Spaan-Murray ratcheted his winning streak up to 12 straight, going 6-0 on the day and earning two Golds in the 7-8 Lightweight division. But not without having to defeat his teammate Dominic Myers in the finals of both the Gi and No-Gi competitions. Spaan-Murray has now won four Golds in his last four tournaments.
"He’s a beast out there" said Coach Booth. "With the improvements in his listening and ability to be coached, I see huge things for his future."
Roque Spaan-Murray accepting one of his two Gold Medals. Here he is, on the podium, flanked by two of his teammates, Dominic Myers on the left and Phoenix Kivol on the right. In the white Gi is Oliver Moellenbeck from Diekema Martial Arts in Saskatoon
Other Gold Medallists were Sophia Page, who won two in the the Girls 5-6 Lightweight Division.
Melanie Pasolli, who pulled out a pair of quick submissions to win the Women's No-Gi Lightweight division.
Taylor Enns won Gold in the Men's Ultra-Heavyweight division.
Tyler Kabanuk won Gold in the Men's Middleweight division.
Seylor Giroux made the transition from Krav Maga to Jiu Jitsu, winning a pair of Golds in the Men's Roosterweight division.
Wyatt Johnson won Gold in the Boys 9-10 Featherweight division.
Young Sophia Page was all smiles capturing two Gold medals. Here she is battling teammate Bellemy Clayson
"There was a tremendous amount of work involved in pulling this off" admitted Coach Booth. "Months of planning and countless volunteer hours getting everything setup and ready. This event would not be possible if it weren’t for our fantastic community of volunteers. We also have generous sponsors to thank for making this event a reality for us."
Those sponsors include the Moose Jaw Police Association, The Moose Jaw and District EMS, Wrapture Spa, Ultimate Fan Zone, Home Building Centre and Control Jiu Jitsu.
"Control Jiu Jitsu is going to bring high level grappling events to Moose Jaw again in the near future" Booth added. "We have already started planning our next venture which will be a No Gi, submission only event. We have exciting changes to the format of the tournament and what is at stake. Moose Jaw will quickly become a Jiu Jitsu town."
Other Medallists include:
Silver:
Dominic Myers x2
Georgia Liagridonis x2
Bellemy Clayson x2
Jaxon Scheitel x2
Kenzie Woods
Taylor Enns
Cody Enns
Derek Snow
Daniel Bjorge
Vander Woods
Rowynn Anderson
Carter Beliveau
Ruari Liagridonis
Bronze:
Nora Anderson x2
Alexander Schalk x2
Jacob Gasper x2
Asher Booth x2
Chloe Beliveau x2
Teagan Goslin x2
Joseph Emmanuelle x2
John Precepa x2
Robbie Parker x2
Melanie Pasolli x2
Seylor Giroux
Derek Snow
Dillan Beattie
Cody Enns
Daniel Bjorge
Ruari Liagridonis
Carter Beliveau
Wyatt Johnson
Phoenix Kivol
Zack Wilgosh
Vander Woods
Colton Bevan
Harvey Fabellon