THE AJJC (Australian Jiu Jitsu Championship) 2022 Nationals took place on the weekend of August 20-21 at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre, and Sale was represented by Frontline Australia Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Fitness Academy’s 11 competitors.
The team was coached by academy founders Scott and Eva Clarke, also known as Coach Scott and Coach Eva. Eight of the 11 competitors won a medal. The previous event in May in which the team competed was the state championships, so the Nationals was a big step up, the competition more fierce.
Coach Eva said the team was progressing, despite the academy being in operation for a relatively short period of time, having been established in January 2021.
“And we’re such a small affiliation here in Sale, with over 80 members, but then you compare us to clubs in Melbourne and the big cities that have 300 athletes,” Eva said.
“We had 11 competitors and sometimes (the events) take up to 50. So when we look at our medal tally in comparison to them, we’re doing okay with a small army. It’s a great feeling when we’re a small academy.”
They’re certainly punching above their weight.
“We’re also very family-oriented. Scott and I coach every match – we are there the whole weekend,” Eva said.
“It’s a lovely blend of coaching and guiding not just the kids, but the adults as well. A loss isn’t a loss, it’s a win or you learn, and take that into the next tournament.”
To find out more about Frontline, head over to the Frontline Australia Brazilian Jiu-jitsu & Fitness Academy Facebook page.
Non-medal athletes
Sam Cooper: Gii/No Gii Blue Belt 73kg
Rexly Theuil: White Belt Gii 68kg
Bart Butcher: Gii/No Gii Blue 70kg
Medal athletes
Ben Tobias: No Gii Gold 85.5kg Absolute Silver
Bianca Visser: Gii Ladies Absolute Weight Gold
Patrick Klisiewicz: Bronze Absolute Weight Bronze
Max Glover-Hill: White Belt Juvenile Bronze
Connor Richardson: 12+ Grey White Belt Bronze
Caden Richardson: 7+ White Bronze
Cooper Richardson: 8+ Bronze
Theo Santos: Pee Wee U6 Silver
Connor Richardson 12+ Grey white belt – Bronze
Caden Richardson 7 + white – bronze
