SOMERSET Jiu Jitsu Alliance took a team of experienced and novice competitors to the well established Bristol Open Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competition, where they took on national and international opposition from as far afield as Hungary and Brazil.
The Taunton-based team put in a great showing to claim gold, silver and bronze medals.
Matt Male won gold in his weight division and silver in the Open Weight division. Ben Rudkin, fighting in one of the toughest divisions, took a bronze medal.
Brazilian jiu jitsu has its origins in Japanese jiu jitsu and judo and emphasises the ground fighting elements.
BJJ is growing rapidly in the UK due to the rising popularity of mixed martial arts events such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship and the understanding that sometimes being able to fight from the ground is a necessity for self-defence and part of the all-round ability a MMA fighter - or cage fighter - must have.
Somerset Jiu Jitsu Alliance is open to all levels of fitness and previous martial arts experience and provides a friendly, safe yet competitive environment to train in.
The club is licensed to instruct in Japanese and Brazilian jiu jitsu, Russian Sombo and MMA (ultimate fighting).
It has an active competition team and holds a number titles, including European and British championships.
For more information, call Gary Davies on 07749-749945 or go to www.somersetjjalliance.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article