This article originally ran at www.theclackamasprint.com. Too see the original, click here.
David Beasley, Associate Sports Editor
Wednesday, Feb. 06 2013
Volume 46, Issue 11
Arts & Culture
The first Northwest Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Championship exhibited a vast variety of martial prowess Saturday at Randall Hall. The CCC wrestling team members were there to help run the event to raise money for their team.
“We were able to raise $1,000 for the team,” said Matt Lindland, one of the event organizers.
Urmas Yanis made his amateur Mixed Martial Arts debut last month at Rumble at the Roseland. With a quick trip takedown of his opponent, the Clackamas grappler did what he loves best.
“I love to throw!” said Yanis.
Narrowly escaping a last minute “triangle” submission hold, Yanis won a gold medal for first place in his weight class. He prepared for another match, this time in the “Absolute” division, which was an open weight class.
“I had four matches in the white belt 149-pound division,” said Yanis. “I just started to do Jiu Jitsu a week before my fight and now I’m competing in it. A lot of people are complaining though, saying I should be intermediate, but it is my first time, so I can’t help it.”
It was the last few minutes of the event, the wrestling team was rolling up the mats and other event staff carried off construction cones and ring tape. Tables were folded and equipment was packed, hardly any spectators remained.
“Yanis is an animal,” said event staff Bruce Elliott.
Against a larger opponent, Yanis wasted no time in securing a takedown. Yanis tried to gain a better position on the ground, but they both stood up. The elder gentleman, with his head shaved, launched a takedown of his own, but Yanis quickly reversed the situation.
The match was a battle of strength versus speed; the larger fellow had great success pushing Yanis’ head down using both hands. Yanis executed his specialty move: a well timed throw, vaulting his opponent over the hip. The match progressed at a similar rate with takedown shots by Yanis and good head control from his opponent. As the official signal was given for the end of the match, the referee held up Yanis’ hand and spoke in Portuguese awarding Yanis victory in the traditional BJJ way.
It was Yanis’ last match of the day, and another successful battle in a new sport for him. You can read about Yanis’ cage fight at www.theclackamasprint. com.
The championship drew a large crowd to campus all day, drawing in many competitors from different gyms in the surrounding Portland Metro and areas all over the Pacific Northwest. Competition began at 9:30 a.m. and extended past 6:30 in the evening. From children to adults, separate weight divisions, all experience levels from professional fighters to first time competitors, Gi and No-Gi. The day was packed full of action.
The Gi is a uniform in martial arts, the name is from the Japanese language and different variations of the uniform are worn by traditional martial artists. NWBJJ features Gi and No-Gi divisions. No-Gi means the competitors wear shorts and T-shirts and may not grab, or hold on to clothing while grappling. Gi competitors may use either their own uniform or opponent’s to secure a choke or simply gain leverage. Gi colors are usually white, blue or black.
With the only green uniform in the room, Lindland competed in the Gi competition.
Matt Lindland also competed in the championship. A well decorated wrestler and mixed martial artist, Lindland has faced many of the most dangerous men in combat sports. He is an Olympic silver medalist and currently runs Team Quest Mixed Martial Arts gym in Gresham. Lindland wrestled for Clackamas when he was in college as well.
Lindland, a professional mixed martial arts fighter, is a purple belt in Jiu Jitsu. His opponent, also a purple belt, gave him a very difficult time. Lindland was able to mount some impressive wrestling style offense, but was foiled every time by his opposing competitor. Using leverage and technique to his advantage, Lindland’s opponent attempted a collar choke.
With the uniform tightly grasped, he gained more leverage and reversed the position in his favor. The referee signaled the end of the match, Lindland had lost by points to his younger opponent. Beaten but not defeated, Lindland had set a good example as a sportsman by helping bring Jiu Jitsu to Oregon City and supporting the Clackamas wrestling team in the process.
“We had 240 people sign up,” said Lindland. “The whole idea was to bring the Jiu Jitsu community together, with the wrestlers too.”
The event successfully drew many skilled competitors who will likely return for future events. Two more BJJ competitions will unfold later this year and with so many in attendance this time, the next is sure to be even more popular.
“The first one is going to have growing pains, but it’s going to be a great event as it matures,” said Elliott.
Full competition results are set to be posted on nwbjj.com, the official event website.
