Biggest Jiu Jitsu Tournament in Colorado Commenced on February 5th

The biggest competition in Colorado to demonstrate technique in the sport of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu took place at the Magness Arena. To read about the outcome of the tournament, click below.

Red and black mats cover the main floor. There is a table off to the side covered with shiny trophies and heavy metals waiting to be hung around someone’s neck. The room is filled with excited fans and nervous competitors. Ambulances with an emergency medical team stand by and are ready to help out any serious injury.  Colorado’s largest tournament was about to take place, and every grappler had their mouth pieces in and game plan ready to put into action.

THE SPORT

Jui Jitsu is a form of fighting based off of wrestling techniques. It is a single five minute round match where the winner must get more points or submit the other person. Points are earned with each technique demonstrated, such as back control, side control, and guard passes. Submissions include arm bars, chokes, ankle locks, and other ways to tap a person out. Arm bars hyper-extend the elbow. Chokes cut off air supply by applying pressure around the neck. Also, ankle locks dislocate the ankle.   

THE EVENTThe Tournament of Champions 8 in Denver was the largest jiu jitsu tournament in the state’s history. This tournament took place on Saturday February 5, 2011 at Denver University’s Magness Arena. The event started at 9am and lasted into the afternoon. With more than 10 divisions, everyone with all skill levels grappled for chances to win money, titles, belts, and trophies.  The tournament was set up with brackets where it narrowed down to the final fight, with many fighters falling aside. There were two basic divisions, gi and no gi. A gi is the kimono worn during a grappling fight.  In the men’s no gi division, there were at least 50 people competing. It was single elimination, so if a person lost their match, they were disqualified from the division. There were no gi, gi and master no gi divisions for men. They were then divided into weight classes and skill level, by belt color.  The women were divided into gi and no gi. This particular event had enough women competing that they were able to have weight classes. There were also kids and teen gi and no gi divisions.
Gyms and competitors from all over Colorado come to this event to prove their skill level to themselves, as well as the audience.  The screams and cheers were deafening as coaches tried to yell over the crowd to help their grappler. The competitors on the mat must have had a hard time hearing anything over the excited fans and other grapplers standing around the mat.

THE RISK TO WIN

Although there are judges to help avoid serious injuries, there were two people that did get severely hurt. One competitor was disqualified after having a seizure on the mat. The fight was stopped and about ten minutes later, the man was helped up and off the mat. A second girl had to leave on a stretcher after a neck crank, which is illegal in this tournament. This move is not allowed because it puts a person in a head lock and strains then spine until the person taps, or in this case, gets injured.She had an utter look of fear through her tears and she was wheeled out by the emergency medical team. This proves that jiu jitsu is a dangerous sport, which is why much caution is taken at these tournaments.  The referees during the match are mainly responsible for safety. The officials carefully analyze the points being earned, as well as keep an eye on opponents’ safety.  They are responsible for accurately telling the score keepers as competitors gain points. They are also responsible for calling the fight, when time is up or when a person looks in immediate danger. The officials must announce who is competing and let everyone know who won with the classic arm raise.

There was lots of sweat, blood, tears, and gloating at the Magness Arena on Saturday. The fans and competitors enjoyed a long day of jiu jitsu. Needless to say, this will not be the last tournament held in Denver.