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Female ankle supports on sale

Female ankle supports on sale

Female ankle supports on sale Shopping for the best ankle support for women and girls is fun and easy at the Fighter girls store! These great ankle supports are perfect for martial arts, MMA, Body combat and Krav Maga. No matter what sport you love or going to the gym to workout the Fighter girls brand ankle supports are made with the perfect amount of spandex and cotton to help protect your ankles when most needed! The Fighter girls store have several colors to choose from that are bight and really cute! Come by and see Female ankle supports on sale the best clothing apparel and gear for women and girls who love extreme sports!

Female Ankle Supports On Sale

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Female ankle supports on sale
Female ankle supports on sale
Female ankle supports on sale
Female ankle supports on sale

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Female ankle supports on sale Shop the biggest and best selection of female ankle supports on sale at the Fighter girls store. Made by women for women.

Reduce discomfort with the help of the latest foot braces and ankle braces.

These sports medicine essentials are used to aid in muscle strains, bruising, contusions, weak joints and a variety of non-severe ailments. Select from a variety of supports, braces and wraps to choose the one that’s right for you.

Compression braces are designed to contour to your body with a graduated fit. This snug fit helps boost blood flow to stave off fatigue and aches and pains post-training. Adjustable braces allow you to customize the fit and level of compression. Some come with adjustable straps or a lacing closure.

Ankle braces help support a comfortable alignment of the foot and ankle. These devices are used to treat ligament sprains, muscle strains and unstable joints. Look for a brace that is designed to ergonomically fit your joint.

Your brace, support or wrap should be constructed with smooth, breathable fabrication for comfortable wear. Antimicrobial technology helps prevent the growth of odor-causing bacteria during use.

Do not use an ankle or foot wrap or brace to cover an open wound, and consult a physician before attempting to treat an injury. Shop ankle braces and foot support from brands

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In the beginning women’s MMA

In the beginning women’s MMA Since 2001 Fightergirls.com website and clothing began know as the original and first women’s MMA website and still is up and running today! Fighter girls have come a long way since then. We have updated the website and store several times and most recent we did a whole new upgrade to the site and store so we do hope you will enjoy it.

In the beginning women’s MMA

Come read the history from interviews back in 2001 to our forum which we are converting over to the new forum that originally had over 50,000 posts from all kinds of people like supporters, fighters, and newbie’s just getting started in the Martial arts sport. Fighter girls is proud to still have all the history, posts and forum to all the people that want to know what it was like for women in martial arts back as far as 2001. The Fightergirls website has always been free for everyone and still is today !

In the beginning women’s MMA

We are adding all the old topics from the world’s first women’s MMA forum to the new forum so please be patient while we complete this process because there are so many pages and great topics! Fighter girls wants this done perfect for everyone to com by and see this historical landmark! Come read the struggles and the fun stuff that these fighters and fans have to say! Trust me this is incredible and we still have 89 pages with 50 topics per page so this may take some time!

In the beginning women’s MMA In the beginning women’s MMA In the beginning women’s MMA In the beginning women’s MMA In the beginning women’s MMA women's MMA news women's MMA news women's MMA news women's MMA news

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Grappling MMA gear for women on sale

Hi Ladies, Looking for some great grappling gear and clothing? Fighter girls has over 400 products just for women for sale in our online store. Shop Grappling MMA gear for women on sale.

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That means no more buying men’s clothing and gear! Ladies shopping should be fun and easy and trust me when I say our bodies are different from men’s in so many ways!

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Find clothing and gear that fit perfect made for women and not unisex. Since 2003 Fighter girls is the largest and best shop for grappling and MMA clothing and gear line on the market.

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“Girls in Gis” Celebrates 2 Years!

Girls in GisHouston, Texas-Girls in Gis, a community of women and girls in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, celebrated their two year anniversary on Sunday August 21, 2011. Over 40 women and girls were in attendance at the Girls in Gis event at Elite MMA. Girls in Gis participants ranged in ages and skill levels, from yellow belts to mature purple belt women. Some women traveled from as far away as Mcallen Texas, which is a fourteen hour round trip to Houston. A few women even crossed state lines from Louisiana just to attend three hours of Girls in Gis events.

The event began with an introduction by Girls in Gis founder Ashley Nguyen. Women and girls lined up in order of rank (highest belt the lowest) along the edges of the mats as Ashley explained the purpose of Girls in Gis and the importance of us coming together to support and encourage each other and share our passion for jiu-jitsu. It was impressive to see so many women in one room as the line of women snaked around the edges of the mats. The introduction was followed by a warm-up which consisted of three lines of women doing a variety of exercises to the end of the mat (bear crawls, shrimping, frog jumps, etc.). These exercises also acted as an initial ice breaker as Ashley incorporated a name game into the warm up and encouraged women to interact with each other and meet new people.

After the warm-up the group made a circle and were asked to go around and say their names, schools, and how long they’ve been training. Women and girls from over twenty-three different martial arts schools were represented on the mats ranging in experience from eight years to those who were there for their first day of training! Ashley showed a few techniques which were appropriate for the entire group regardless of experience. Everyone was asked to work with a new partner they had never trained with after each move. This technique was followed by an open mat which allowed the Girls in Gis to roll and get to know one another as they sat in groups on the mats.

The Girls in Gis event wrapped up this Two-Year anniversary celebration with a special Girls in Gis cake and a Fenom Kimonos gi give away which was won by purple belt Tara Arrington of Dallas, Texas. It was also announced that all the participants to this Girls in Gis celebration would receive free registration for the Texas Open in Austin, Texas on September 24th which is rumored to have the largest women’s division of the year. Another edition of Girls in Gi will be scheduled for the following day on Sunday, September 25th at Trainers Elite MMA and hosted by Helen Castillo.

The purpose of Girls in Gis is to provide women in Brazilian Ju-Jitsu with a fun, and friendly environment to train. Based on the laughter and smiles that were shared that day, this event proved to have accomplished the mission of what founder Ashley Nguyen set out to do two years ago. Marketta Parker, a Spanish teacher at Calcasieu Parish High School in Sulphur, Louisiana, was so inspired by the Girls in Gis event and the techniques she experienced that she said “My instructor knew about me going to Girls in Gis this weekend and he made me teach the guard pass/choke combo that we learned, and everybody loved it. All the guys loved it, my instructor said “You know when you teach a good technique, is when everybody is trying it out, and no one is sitting around talking”.

Girls in Gis is celebrating six years of successful women’s jiu-jitsu open mats, sisterhood, and happy rolls. What started in Houston in 2009 has now spread throughout several states. Three locations: Denver, Edmond, and Houston, are holding anniversary open mats this month with record number of participants expected; please register ahead of time to save your spot.
We are making beautiful 12×3, woven patches for Girls in Gis as our continued support for the cause. Get one for you, one for your friend, and pretty up your gis!

Rise Stronger Together Thursday Nov 2014
Posted by fenomkimonos in News and Events, Women’s BJJ ≈ 2 Comments
Tagsfenom kimonos, girl’s bjj, girls in gis, grappling for a cause, jiu-jitsu fundraiser, strong woman, women’s bjj
Being healthy is something most of us take for granted. Occasional flu or a smashed rib is annoying when you have busy life. No-one has time for that! What if you came down with a sudden illness that brought your life as you knew it to a halt? Can you imagine not being able to drive any more? Or not being able to go the store alone? Or not being able to work?

That is what our good friend, Shama Ko, the coordinator of Girls in Gis is dealing with right now. About a month ago, she suddenly collapsed on the mat, and had a seizure. She has been to the ER a few times; seen several doctors, and her medical bills are beginning to pile up. There are still lots of tests to be done, to find out what is causing her body to act this way. She is determined to get to the bottom of this but cannot do it alone.

There are lots of organizations asking for donations this time of the year but please consider purchasing one or a few of these beautiful, 8 inch, woven, phoenix inspired patches that we designed specially for Shama’s fundraiser. The patches cost $8.00, and you can order yours here. Our goal is to raise $2,500 to help getting her life back on track.

Women’s jiu-jitsu community pulled together big time, and set up Grappling for a Cause events all over the US, Mexico and Colombia. If you would like to go to a roll-a-thon, an open mat or a seminar, please check out the locations (Denver, Austin, San Diego, Lakeland, Chandler, Edmond, Monterrey,) that are participating in the fundraiser on December 13-14.

Happy Birthday Girls in Gis! Thursday Sep 2013
Posted by fenomkimonos in News and Events ≈ Leave a comment
Tagsgirls in gis, women’s bjj, women’s brazilian jiu jitsu
Girls in Gis, Texas women’s BJJ group, is celebrating its four-year anniversary on September 22nd in Houston, at Elite MMA. The group has grown exponentially since it started in 2009, and over 100 participants are already registered for the upcoming event. It is a free open mat for women and girls of all ages and experience levels.

At the anniversary event, Girls in Gis is running a fundraiser for YMCA International Services benefiting the victims of human trafficking. Donations in cash and household items such as dishes, towels, small appliances, and baby items are greatly appreciated.

We are continuing our tradition of donating a gi to the Girls in Gis anniversary event’s raffle. This time around one of our beautiful pink pearl weave gis is up for grabs. Check out the past winners and good luck everyone this year!

2010 winner Camryn

2011 winner Tara

2012 winner Jamie

2013 raffle prize

To register for the Girls in Gis anniversary event, please click here. To read more about Girls in Gis, please visit their blog.

Pay It Forward Wednesday Dec 2012
Posted by fenomkimonos in Training, Women’s BJJ ≈ 2 Comments
Tagsbrazilian jiu jitsu, girls in gis, Mrs. Ibarra, women’s bjj
We asked one of our favorite bloggers, Mrs. Ibarra, to be the guest writer this month, and she was kind enough to say yes. She shares her experience at Girls in Gis and training with women. Enjoy everyone!

On December 2, 2012 Girls in Gis celebrated its 3-year anniversary. It was spectacular! Never before have I seen so many women and girls on the mats together, 74 total in attendance. It was a colorful blur of gis, belts, women, and little girls, and a whole lot of sweat. I can proudly say that my daughter and I have been to all three Girls in Gis anniversary events.

In March of 2010 I took my daughter to her first Girls in Gis. She had just started jiu-jitsu three months earlier and I thought it would be a good experience for her to train with other women and girls. At the time she was the only girl in a kid’s class full of boys. Fast forward a few months, I started jiu-jitsu myself, and then in September 2010 my daughter and I went to the first anniversary Girls in Gis event.

Debra

Fast forward another year…we went to the second anniversary event. Fast forward another year…third anniversary…you kind of get the picture. In between we have traveled to San Antonio, Austin, Katy and Houston. When I first started participating in Girls in Gis, most women didn’t quite look like me. It was so very intimidating. I wasn’t athletic, I wasn’t thin, and I definitely wasn’t in shape. I had some very anxious moments in those early days. But those women I met, those amazing women, they just kept encouraging me. They told me to keep training, don’t give up, it will get better. And you know what? They were right! I slowly started to feel like I belonged. I realized that this “old” lady, who didn’t quite look like everybody else, had a place in this tight-knit jiu-jitsu community.

Because of Girls in Gis I have had the pleasure of meeting women from all over the world, women at different stages of their jiu-jitsu journeys. I’ve been able to train with black and brown belts, purple, blue and white belts, and I’ve even had the pleasure of training with women who were trying jiu-jitsu for the very first time. Most importantly, I’ve met other women who love jiu-jitsu just like me. And guess what? Now when I go to Girls in Gis, there are more and more women who look like me! Now it’s my turn to pay it forward. It’s my turn to encourage and support and help all the newbies as they start their jiu-jitsu journey.

Thank you Mrs. Ibarra!

Three Years of Girls in Gis  Nov 2012
Posted by fenomkimonos in News and Events, Women’s BJJ ≈ Leave a comment
Tagsgirl’s brazilian jiu jitsu, girls in gis, women’s brazilian jiu jitsu
Girls in Gis is celebrating its 3rd birthday! It all started in September 2009, when Ashley Nguyen invited girls to her gym, Elite MMA, for the very first free open mat. Seeing more than 10 women training together was unprecedented at the time, everyone was a bit nervous and no-one knew what to expect. The first open mat was a huge success and from that day on, Girls in Gis has become a permanent fixture at the women’s BJJ scene in Texas.

Girls in Gis 2009
Girls in Gis in September 2009

Girls in Gis open mats have traveled all across Texas, from gym to gym, bringing women and girls together regardless of team associations. White belts have become blue, blues have turned purple, and a few purple belts have been promoted to brown belt. Many friendships have been formed and the number of women participating in Girls in Gis has grown year after year. Seeing 30-40 women at an open mat has become normal and this year a new record, 65 girls and ladies, was set at Gracie Humaitá Austin.
Girls in Gis in September 2012

What Ashley started, Shama Ko has carried on. She is the driving force and active leader behind Girls in Gis, scheduling events, promoting, networking, and organizing fundraisers. You can hardly ever see Shama on Girls in Gis photos because she is always behind the camera documenting the events.
Shama Ko at work

Girls in Gis facts:

31 events
15 different cities
23 host academies
largest event at Gracie Humaitá Austin with 65 participants
longest drive to a GIG event – 13 hours round trip
most GIG events attended – Shama Ko 20, Lana Hunter 17
out of state participants from Oklahoma, Louisiana, California, New Mexico, Arkansas, Washington, and Virginia
over 20 sponsors in 2012
Donation drives and fundraisers:

GIG Wish List Drive benefiting SafePlace Austin women’s shelter in January 2012
GIG Volunteer Sponsorship Program in August 2012
GIG Food Drive benefiting Tarrant Food Bank in November 2012
GIG Toy Drive benefiting Toys for Tots in December 2012
Happy Birthday Girls in Gis!

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Fighter Girls in Gis Female BJJ

Fighter Girls in Gis Female BJJ
Fighter Girls in Gis Female BJJ

Fighter Girls in Gis Female BJJ Fightergirls just loves the concept of “Girls in Gis” and would love to take a road trip to Texas to get our roll on! If you don’t know about them yet, you will! “Girls in Gis” is a group of women and girls that get together once a month throughout Texas to train in a fun, friendly, noncompetitive environment. Women are coming together from all different schools to train, learn, and grow the sport together. True Fightergirls! FG got a chance to speak with “Girls in Gis” founder, Ashley Nguyen.

Fighter Girls in Gis Female BJJ

FG: “Girls in Gis” is such a great concept and when I read the ‘About’ page of your site, you are spot on with how rolling with women is different and it is important to have women training partners. How and who developed this concept?
AN: I (Ashley Nguyen) developed the concept out of a leadership program that my husband and I participate in. I had realized from doing tournaments that girls train and feel differently than guys and why should we only get to do that at tournaments. I had seen that the girls on the East Coast were having open mats and the turn out was usually pretty good, but I noticed that they were usually affiliated with a particular school so you could only go if your instructor liked their instructor or whatever jiu-jitsu politics there are. I didn’t think there were enough women training to have to worry about politics so I wanted to start an organization that wouldn’t be affiliated with a school. By not having any school affiliation, this has allowed more girls to come together and train in a fun, friendly, non-competitive and politically free environment.

FG: It looks like all of your upcoming events are in Texas. Do you plan for “Girls in Gis” to go National? I love this idea and would love to see it grow throughout the country. If you don’t mind, share your vision for the next 5 or 10 years.
AN: We are working on structuring Girls in Gis to have events in other states. In 5 to 10 years I would like to see events all across the country. Girls in Gis means so much to the girls in Texas and has really brought together the community in a positive way. I’d love for the benefits of Girls in Gis to reach further and bring together more women and girls in the jiu-jitsu community throughout the country.

FG: When girls are coming to roll from all different schools, is there ever a sense of animosity? Do you ever feel like women use these events to ‘feel out the competition’ or prove themselves?
AN: One thing at all the events that we are very up front about is that we aren’t here to compete and if that’s what you are here for then this isn’t the place for you to come train. Majority of the girls understand this concept and those that don’t usually don’t stick around. Over the past two years we’ve really developed a sold core group of girls that simply enjoy sharing their passion for jiu-jitsu and who guinienly have a mutual respect for each other. Everyone understands that Girls in Gis is not the place to “test” ourselves against each other or try to prove anything. Girls in Gis is about coming together to support, encourage and build friendships with each other in order to strengthen our presence in the sport/martial art.

Thank you, Ashley! The next “Girls in Gis” event is this Sunday (see our Events page for more info). Good luck with everything and we hope to see “Girls in Gis” grow and ‘coming soon’ to Irvine! 🙂

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Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Fighter Penny Thomas

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Fighter Penny Thomas
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Fighter Penny Thomas

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Fighter Penny Thomas

The odds have not always been in Penny Thomas’ favor. At the start of a promising Gymnastics career, Thomas underwent an intense spinal fusion surgery that one doctor claimed would put an end to the then-12-year-old’s involvement in sports. Most people would accept this news with a grain of salt and move on. Thomas, however, had other plans.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Fighter Penny Thomas

After the surgery, she returned to a highly athletic lifestyle, finding success in other sports, including swimming. But it wasn’t until a few years later that Penny would be exposed to the art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

In late 2001, Thomas discovered BJJ at her kickboxing gym, where several men had started their own grappling club and were sharing mat space during her class time. Her curiosity piqued, Thomas joined in and was immediately hooked. And over the next few years, she and her training partners made regular trips to train and compete in Brazil. However, Thomas recounts that the general lack of advanced Jiu Jitsu practitioners and instruction in her native South Africa led her to feel like her game was lacking, and that she was making little progress. So, once again, with the odds against her, she quit her successful 8-year career as a software developer, left her friends, family, and home, and made the jump overseas to America, where she found friends in the Jiu Jitsu community and began training full time in Hawaii and California.

It paid off. Because of her strong will and determination, Thomas has collected several impressive world titles, including 4 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Worlds Championships, one ADCC Championship, and currently holds the highly-coveted rank of Black Belt. Looking back on everything this athlete has been able to accomplish, one thing makes itself very clear:
Penny Thomas doesn’t care about the odds. She’d rather be choking them out.

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Grapplers Quest Complete Women’s News

Grapplers Quest Complete Women's News
Grapplers Quest Complete Women’s News

Grapplers Quest Complete Women’s News Sam Wilson of Trinity takes home the gold in the Women’s Beginner No-Gi Class D Division. pictured L to R: Shannon Reid (Silver), Sam Wilson (Gold) and Mia Cameron-Hayes (Bronze) in the Women’s Beginner No-Gi Class D Division

Grapplers Quest Complete Women’s News

Women’s Beginner No-Gi Class A (120 lbs & below):
1. Mattie Madinanon (Carlson Gracie)
2. Jessika Torres (Stockton)
3. Rachel Tan (10th Planet)

Women’s Beginner No-Gi Class B (120-139.9 lbs):
1. Jill Baker (Bakersfield)
2. Juli Fung (10th Planet)
3. Mylene Manalo (Team Mica)

Women’s Beginner No-Gi Class C (140-159.9 lbs):
1. Alexandria Flores (Stockton)
2. Leonardi Taylor (Carlson Gracie)
3. Jody Dobberpuhl (Carlson Gracie)

Women’s Beginner No-Gi Class D (160+ lbs):
1. Sam Wilson (Trinity)
2. Shannon Reid (10th Planet)
3. Mia Cameron-Hayes (UGA)

Women’s Intermediate No-Gi Class A (120 lbs & below):
1. Marisol Romero (Drysdale)
2. Charris Morgenstern (Team Mica)

Women’s Intermediate No-Gi Class B (120-139.9 lbs):
1. Vikki Marlow (Throwdown SD)
2. Jenna Shilt (10th Planet)

Women’s Intermediate No-Gi Class C (140-159.9 lbs):
1. Crystal Cooper (Paragon)

Women’s Advanced No-Gi Class A (120 lbs & below):
1. Heather Basquill (Easton BJJ)

Women’s Advanced No-Gi Class B (120-139.9 lbs):
1. Jamie Guyer (Dave Howard)
2. Michelle Ouid (Alpha Male)
3. Kelly Hassel-Cramer (Charles Gracie)

Women’s Advanced No-Gi Class C (140-159.9 lbs):
1. Misty Shearer (Mundruca)
2. Tonya Evinger (Alpha Male)
3. Jessica Miele (Pitbull)

Women’s BJJ White Belt Class A (120 lbs & below):
1. Heather Basquill (Easton BJJ)
2. Mattie Madinanon (Carlson Gracie)

Women’s BJJ White Belt Class B (120-139.9 lbs):
1. Marcela Aguirre (Throwdown)
2. Mylene Manalo (Team Mica)
3. Nancy Childres (Samurai Dojo)

Women’s BJJ White Belt Class C (140-159.9 lbs):
1. Jody Dobberpuhl (Charles Gracie)
2. Tracie Gephart (Paragon)
3. Shannon Zigner (Throwdown)

Women’s BJJ Blue Belt Class A (120 lbs and below):
1. Marisol Romero (Drysdale)
2. Raedawn Bohn (Claudio Franca)

Women’s BJJ Blue Belt Class B (120-139.9 lbs):
1. Tracy Goodell (Lloyd Irvin)
2. Jill Baker (Bakersfield)
3. Vikki Marlow (Throwdown SD)

Women’s BJJ Blue Belt Class C (140-159.9 lbs.):
1. Jessey Miele (Pit Bull)

Women’s No-Gi Beginner Absolute:
1. Shannon Reed (10th Planet)
2. Sam Wilson (Trinity)
3. Lillian Strange (Team Mica)

Women’s No-Gi Intermediate Absolute:
1. Amanda Lucas (Trinity)
2. Vicki Marlow (Throwdown SD)

Women’s No-Gi Advanced Absolute:
1. Lana Stefanac (Trinity)
2. Penny Thomas (Throwdown)
3. Katie Weilbacher (Paragon)

Women’s BJJ Purple/Brown/Black Absolute:
1. Misty Shearer (Mundruca)
2. Kelly Hassell-Cramer (Charles Graicie)
3. Angie Gonzalez (Team Tooke)

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Chrissy Linzy – Increasing the BJJ Pie

Chrissy Linzy female fighterHow Chrissy Linzy is doing her part as a competitor, and as a support, to bolster Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and martial arts in her area.

Chrissy Linzy is a petite blonde with a ready smile. She always looks you in the eye when you speak and always has something funny to say, and she is incredibly frustrating to roll with.

She is one-third of US Grappling. She, her husband Brian Linzy and their friend, Andrew Smith (a BJJ black belt and one of the most
active BJJ competitors around for several years) started an organization for grapplers and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu players when they saw a gap in the market after competing themselves at some of the more established events.

I asked her about competition and getting a piece of the pie. She answered, “A few years ago, Alan “Gumby” Marquez was sitting in my dining room talking about this very thing. He said that he didn’t want a bigger piece of the pie, but for the whole pie to be bigger. This really struck home for us, and this is what we work toward all the time.”

In a sport that is male dominated, from competitor, to instructor, to promoter, it is encouraging to see a woman take such an active role in furthering the sport, for women and men. As the partner who bears most of the administrative responsibility
she is efficient and knowledgeable. Chrissy is a practitioner of the sport, training regularly at Mechanicsville Martial Arts, A Yamasaki Jiu Jitsu affiliate just outside of Richmond, VA.

Chrissy says what makes US Grappling events different is that that at their core, they are a competitor friendly event, from the schedule to the food down to the referees. Her main concern is pushing the sport forward and creating more events, so customer service is a great place to start. If a woman registers and has no one to roll against, they will refund your money, let you roll it over to the next event or try to come up with a fair and reasonable solution.

The referees at the US grappling events are experienced grapplers and competitors who go through a comprehensive training. Widely recognized as some of the best referees on the tournament circuit, they are striving for excellence. A typical US Grappling event will have eight mats and twelve referees, to ensure that referees also get to compete, coach their students, or just take a break when necessary.

Chrissy is painfully aware that refs can get distracted or tired after a long nonstop day. There is always a trained Paramedic or EMT at all competitions. These tournaments also have the distinction of running on time. US Grappling runs
contrary to every event I have been to by letting the advanced divisions go first.

Upper belts are then free to coach their lower belt teammates and students, free to concentrate on cornering, and preparation for the less experienced as they are already finished with the anxiety of competing themselves. I recently was at an all women event that US Grappling helped run and there was no chaos. There was a great turn out, and no bullpen craziness. There were brackets that women had seen before the tournament, so they had an idea of how many matches they would have beforehand. She is experienced, efficient, and brilliant.

Sandbaggers beware, Chrissy has a gift for remembering names. Competing under your level will not be tolerated. Blue belts must compete intermediate or up, purple belts must compete advanced. There are no exceptions. She is firm but fair.

US Grappling also holds separate events for the kids and teens. Having heavyweight novice men competing next to a kids’ mat seemed a little too exciting. US Grappling has even gone so far as to try to work with concessions to offer more athlete friendly food choices, noting your first meal after cutting weight should not be a hotdog.

US Grappling also donates their services to a biannual charity event to benefit the Leukemia foundation. The Pendergrass No Gi Classic Tournament in Wake Forest, NC in May of 2010 is next.

I spent more time with US Grappling at the first New York MMA World Expo. US Grappling was asked to run the demonstration mats for the two-day expo. Muay Thai legend Kru Phil Nurse, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu phenom Marcelo Garcia, Olympic Bronze medalist Jimmy Pedro (Judo), and Gold Medalist Mark Schultz (Wrestling) were a few of the incredible athletes who were invited to do demonstrations .There were changes that had to be made on the fly, demonstrators who didn’t show, demonstrators who couldn’t do a second demo after all and Chrissy rolled with the punches (pun intended). Fortunately, she is well acquainted with amazing Black belt Emily Kwok,
who stepping in last minute, and impressed everyone with her knowledge, strength and fluidity. Chrissy handed out new schedules, wrangled athletes and things ran smoothly, and spectators and demonstrators alike enjoyed themselves.

I was curious how they were fitting in with some of the more established events, was there backbiting, smack talking? “No.” replies Chrissy. “There is sense of goodwill. Promoters work in concert to ensure there is not much overlap. It seems perhaps everyone is looking for a larger pie.”

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C3 Winter Games Grappling Tournament

C3 Winter Games Grappling Tournament
C3 Winter Games Grappling Tournament

C3 Winter Games Grappling Tournament Unfortunately the snow storm may have hindered the usually well-attended C3 Grappling Tournament here in East Chicago. The women’s division was really sparse at this event but it was a very well-organized event.

With only three women competing (not including kids/teens), there was only two girls competing in the GI division and three girls competing in No-GI. Winning both GI and No-GI, Casey Blaso dominated the tournament.

C3 Winter Games Grappling Tournament

Beginning with the GI division, Blaso defeated Kaitlin Carlucci, from Team Monteiro in Indianapolis by points. She quickly jumped guard working for a Triangle and Shoulder locks, always controlling her upper back. Blaso attempted an open guard sweep but was defended by Carlucci. Eventually Blaso succeeded in a sweep to take mount but Carlucci rolled back in to Blaso’s guard to end the round.

Blaso then went on to win the No-Gi division in a second match with Carlucci. Blaso made a couple attempts at an arm-drag and placing the foot on her hip for a flying armbar attempt. Blaso then got a takedown with double underhooks. Blaso ended the match in triangle mount and submitted Carlucci via armbar.

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Gracie Invitational April 26th – 27th 2008

Gracie InvitationalRegistration is now open for the Gracie Invitational and for the best academy, best competitor, most improved competitor, best coach and overall contributor to the growth of the sport awards for 2007 – 2008 are all up for grabs.

This years Gracie Invitational will bring another dimension to the sport of BJJ. The team event this year will be a very different animal compared to what is normally done. There will be 4 teams this year, consisting of 5 fighters. 1 Black belt (or brown belt), 2 purples and 2 blue belts. everyone will get to fight but will be fighting and representing their chosen brand rather than their academy.

Manto (Team Poland), Vangaard (Team France), Elemental Kimonos and Black Eagle are the 4 sponsors/teams for this event. If you would like to put your name forward for a team, drop an email to [email protected]