Martial Arts Mahé Martial Arts hosts successful seminar and competition |01 April 2023

Jeremie Morel v James Carpin: Show of respect before bout (Photo: Contributed)

The Mahé Martial Arts, a local martial arts club, recently hosted a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competition and seminar, conducted by world-known Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt holder Amadu Jorge, owner of the Nest Martial Arts Academy, based in the United Arab Emirates.

Alongside the two-day seminar, a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Gi Championship also took place, culminating in a grading and graduation ceremony for the practitioners.

The championship, which took place last Saturday at the Roche Caïman dojo, gathered athletes who competed in four categories –  white belt male featherweight (under 70kg), white belt male middleweight (under 82.3kg), blue belt male middleweight (under 82.3kg), white belt female middleweight (under 69kg) ‒ with some categories featuring only two fighters where the winner was determined using a best-of-three format.

Two athletes battled it out in the white belt male featherweight (under 70kg) category with Lopez Anacoura defeating Shane Chang-Seng in two bouts.

Just as it looked like Chang-Seng might win the second bout on points, Lopez was able to pull off a submission before the end of the fight, meaning there was no need to go to a third bout.

The white belt male middleweight (under 82.3kg) category saw the participation of three athletes with 37-year-old Joel Jacqueline coming out on top over second-placed James Carpin (25 years) and third-placed Jeremie Morel (21 years).

The final bout in this category saw Jacqueline and Carpin contesting for first and second position, with an exhausted Jacqueline who was able to implement a strategic game plan to win the bout on points.

Jacqueline said it was a great competition and as a new practitioner of Brazilian jiu-jitsu, he found the competition tough as all the fighters are very skilled.

“I was not expecting to win the division, but I am very happy to have won and I am even more encouraged to continue with Mahé Martial Arts Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training,” he added.

The blue belt male middleweight (under 82.3kg) division was also contested between just two athletes, and Jean-Paul Labonte (31 years) was able to dominate fellow blue belt Matteo Rivolta (25 years), with both fights decided on points.

Arguably the most dramatic of the four categories was the white belt female middleweight (under 69kg) which saw Jessica Morel and Antigone Frichot battling it out in three fights.

All the fights were closely contested but the third and final fight had the spectators on the edge of their seats until Morel, who was behind on points, was able to submit Frichot with a last minute Americana from side-control just as it seemed like Frichot would be able to pull off an upset.

At the end of tournament, awards were given for best submission and best overall performance.

The award for best submission went to Jessica Morel for her Americana against Antigone Frichot, while the award for best overall performance went to Joel Jacqueline following his path to victory in the white belt middleweight category.

The scoring and rules were based on the International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation’s (IBJJF) format and the referee for the event was instructor Jorge.

The organisers wish to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the National Sports Council (NSC) which provided the venue and medical team (Dr Martin), the Mixed Martial Arts and Submission Grappling Association who observed and helped with officiating of the event, the Seychelles Judo Federation (SJF) who provided the mats, along with all the sponsors, and last but not least the competitors and spectators who made the event as exciting as it was.

Contributed