Success in the Sport of Jiu Jitsu

Competition isn’t for everyone in Jiu Jitsu, but I advise people to give it a shot at least once. For me, there’s nothing quite like the challenge of getting on the mat against a stranger and figuring out how to beat him, technically, physically, and psychologically. I use it as a goal to make me improve my training, my mind, and to keep me honest.

Of course, that’s me in my 40s. For younger people, it’s about medals and wins. For now, at least. So my job as a coach is often to remind them to take a breather, not take yourself too seriously. Set goals that you want to achieve, but remember that this is a martial art as well as a sport. You’re training to better yourself, and if you use competition to get to that point, great. If you don’t and just use training, that’s also great.

Last weekend, we had the Emerald Cup, and all that was best about Kyuzo was on display. We had kids as young as 6 doing their very first event, and Masters in their 30s getting stuck in too. We had a very successful event on the podium, with plenty of silverware coming home to the academy.

There’s a nice definition of success that I like from John Wooden.

“Success is the peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming”

If you think of that event to event, if you trained well, with as much commitment as your life allows, within the constraints of your ability, you can go home happy regardless of the result. Gold, Silver, or Bronze, or no medal at all.

That said- 12 Gold, 8 Silver, and 9 Bronze is a great success across the academy.

Well done to all of our competitors!

See you on the mat,

Barry