Combat Academy instructors Dave Coles and Simon Small travelled to Nottingham to fight in the Knockdown Sport Budo (KSBO) Ground-fighting Championships. Representing the Birmingham Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Academy they competed in the over 90 kg category against martial artists and submission fighters from a variety of different styles.
In his first fight v Steve Brookes of Thetford Judokwai, Dave managed to submit his opponent via an arm-lock, despite giving away 21 kilos.
In the quarter final he faced Andrew Astle of Yawara Ryu. Dave wore his opponent down with a variety of ground holds before finally submitting him with another arm-lock.
In the semi final he faced his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructor, Braulio Estima, the current World Jiu-Jitsu Champion and a ground work specialist. Such is the quality of Braulio that Dave makes a regular 130 mile round trip to train under him at the Birmingham Gracie Barra Academy.
Braulio had dispatched of his first two opponents in a total time of 30 seconds. Although under pressure from the start Coles put in a valiant performance before submitting to a combined arm-lock / strangle technique in the 3rd minute of the fight.
In the fight off for the Bronze medal Dave secured an early hold-down on Andrew Harby of Yawara Ryu. His opponent spent much of the fight trying to escape and avoiding Dave's arm lock and strangle attempts. In the dying seconds of the fight Dave secured an arm-lock to force the submission, and take the bronze medal.
The silver medal went to Glen Brodrick, another Gracie Barra fighter, making it a clean sweep for the Birmingham club in the open weight category.
Simon defeated Martin Mothersoe of Cambridge Free Fight in his first fight by referees decision after the fight had gone the full 5 minutes. In his second fight he lost by an arm-bar to the experienced Mark Day.
In the under 90 kg category Braulio and Ande Roberts made it a double for the Birmingham Academy taking Gold and Silver respectively, while Rachael Wheatly annihilated all before her to take gold in the ladies category. Glen Brodrick improved on his silver medal by taking the gold in the under 80 kg category.
