Port Macquarie’s Evolve BJJ has returned from the Australian Jiu-Jitsu Championships in Melbourne with five new national champions and a stack of medals, headlined by a dominant double gold from head coach Professor Egor Rocha.
Professor Rocha took out both the Black Belt No Gi Heavyweight and Open Weight divisions, winning all three of his matches without conceding a single point, with scorelines of 10-0, 16-0 and 6-0.
“It’s always tough; it’s always national level, so we have athletes from all over Australia, some come even coming from Asia, from overseas. So takes a lot of dedication, a lot of effort,” Professor Rocha told NBN News.
It was the third time Professor Rocha has won at championship level, and this time he was joined on the podium by training partners Israel Hyde and Liam Clark, who both won gold at their first ever national event.
Professor Hyde competed at the Australian Nationals for the first time, winning gold in the Black Belt Gi division, a result that made both of Evolve BJJ’s Black Belt coaches national champions. His 16-year-old daughter Alana competed alongside him, taking to the mat in the Blue Belt division on the same weekend.
“Actually, my daughter, she’s 16, she’s been throwing her hat in the ring for competition as well. And I thought, well, as she’s gonna do it, I should do it too. And I really enjoyed it, with the great competition there. It was really fun and I will be doing it again,” Professor Hyde told NBN News.
Mr Clark, a member of Evolve BJJ’s Youth Team, capped off the weekend with gold in the Gi after submitting both of his opponents, adding a silver medal in the No Gi division for good measure. Looking ahead, he already has his sights set on the world stage.
“Probably overseas somewhere and win one of those competitions,” Mr Clark told NBN News.
The Melbourne trip also delivered national titles for Evolve BJJ’s Glenn and Barry. Glenn won gold in the Blue Belt No Gi division, then backed up the following day to take silver in the Gi. Barry claimed gold in his Blue Belt weight division with what the club described as a dominant performance from start to finish, before adding bronze in the Open Weight division.
Professor Rocha’s win extends his record at the top level of Australian Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He has now won a national title at every belt level of his career, making him a four-time Black Belt Australian National Champion.
Evolve BJJ trains out of a purpose-built academy at the Marina Shopping Centre in Port Macquarie, offering programs for adults, teens and children. The club is currently offering a free trial pass for anyone interested in taking up the sport, available through its website, evolvebjj.com.au.
Advertising with North Coast Times is a cost effective and reliable way to reach locals who are interested and engaged. Find out more here.