Bonners Ferry Jiu-Jitsu brings home 14 medals
Helaman Hartman proudly receives his gold medal.
Solomon Brown controls his opponent.
Courtesy photos Sofia Brown (left) squares off with an opponent as the Bonners Ferry Jiu-Jitsu team competes in the Spokane Submission Challenge on Feb. 2.
Connie Kryzanowski and Diana White take first and third in their bracket.
Henry St. Peter (top) controls his opponent.
Colt Barras (in blue) competes in Spokane.
(Courtesy Photo) Cheyenne Barras (pink) controls her opponent.
BONNERS FERRY — The Spokane Submission Challenge hosted its first of three 2019 tournaments on Saturday, Feb. 2. Nineteen competitors from Bonners Ferry BJJ hit the road early that morning and put in a full days work. As usual, the results were impressive. In total, 19 students competed and 14 medals came back to Bonners Ferry.
Jiu-Jitsu is definitely growing in this region and there is now five schools in Coeur d’Alene, one in Sandpoint and one in Bonners Ferry. Western Montana and Eastern Washington have even more. This growth has not only made for more frequent opportunities to compete locally but also for more opponents and much stiffer competition.
A few of the parents who attended had this to say about the tournament and Jiu-Jitsu over all.
“Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is more than a sport. It’s more like “full contact” chess,” said parent Mark Moseley. “My family has learned a great deal about how to show restraint, and show strength, as needed. Team Behring is the best group of teachers and schools in the country.”
“Having our kids compete in the BJJ tournament is such a great opportunity,” said parent Julie Hollabaugh. “I love seeing these kids come together and support their teammates. All the kids worked so hard and gave it their all, but no matter the outcome, their teammates were there for support. They are building camaraderie that will last for years to come.”
“This past weekend we traveled to Spokane with competitors aging from five to over 50 years old,” said assistant kids coach, Brad Anderson. “Everyone performed really well but the real work was done in the months leading up to the tournament. Most competitors dedicated two to three hours a day, three to five days a week to improve their skills and prepare. As a coach and fellow competitor, I’m extremely proud of what this team has achieved and look forward to seeing how great we can be in 2019.”
Bonners Ferry BJJ plans to attend at least three to four more tournaments in Spokane and Missoula this year and hopes to bring more and more competitors each time. They will also be hosting Sylvio Behring from Brazil on Saturday, Feb. 16, for kids and adult seminars. Please contact the school for more information via email bonnersbjj@gmail.com or phone 208-90-6518