Fighters from local martial arts club Mat Shark Jiu Jitsu have claimed three out of the four junior trophies up for grabs at the South West Jiu Jitsu Championships in Busselton.
Over three hundred competitors were vying for trophies at the March 10 event.
But it was the Forrestdale club’s Selena Tomeo who was named Junior Female Fighter of the Day, alongside Brodie Parkin who took out the Junior Male category.
While Ella Humfrey was handed the Female Sportsmanship Award.
All three champions won gold in both their ‘gi’ and ‘no-gi’ divisions.
Many of the club’s other fighters also walked away with medals (many of them gold) in their respective divisions after dominating at the regional championship. In fact, Mat Shark Jiu Jitsu came in second place overall, only being beaten on points by the combined Coringa Jiu Jitsu team.
Club co-owner and head coach Adam Jacques was proud of his team’s achievements.
“The club’s been doing really well across all comps lately,” he said.
“But it was great to see our little ones get some recognition for their work this time.”
Brodie Parkin’s dad, Damian, was all smiles after his seven-year-old’s success. Damian said his son saw the trophies on display when he walked into the competition, pointed to them and declared he was going to win one of them.
“I was stoked for him,” he said.
“He got a 100 percent submission rate on the day, and also achieved the equal fastest submission. He managed to arm-bar his opponent within nine seconds.”
Damian is a fighter himself. As an ex-police officer, he said his jiu jitsu training saved his life on the job on more than one occasion. He knew it was something he wanted both his sons to learn.
“Brodie’s just had his one-year anniversary since starting training too, so to do this well after only a year is massive,” Damian said.
“It was a proud dad moment, for sure.”
Brodie’s younger brother, Finn, also managed to bring home a silver medal at his very first competition, boding well for a bright future for the young fighter.
The Mat Shark team will head to the HBF Stadium in Mt Claremont in April for the Perth Submission Grappling Tournament.
