Ross Martial Arts and Fitness Academy’s competition team traveled to Samford University on Saturday, May 31 as five local grapplers captured five gold medals in the Alabama Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation’s Summer Championships in Birmingham.
“Our final tally for the day was five first places and four second place finishes,” said Jay Russell, co-owner and instructor at Ross MA. “Our team also claimed the third place overall trophy for the gi division in the tournament.”
Russell said the tournament was the second of four seasonal events hosted by the ABJJF.
“We took a very small team to scout out the organization last year, and we really enjoyed it,” Russell added. “These tournaments aren’t as large as the NAGA events we go to in Georgia and Tennessee, but their close proximity make them much more convenient to attend.”
Ross Fight Team members who captured wins were: Daniel Alexander, second in purple belt men’s middleweight no gi; Tony Nicholson, second in white belt men’s heavyweight gi and first in white belt absolute division; Tristen Fitz-Gerald, first in 15-17 teens gi and second in no gi; A.J. Pruitt, first in 12-14 teens gi and second in no gi; and Dyllon Williams, first in 6 and 7 boys gi and no gi divisions.
“I’m extremely proud of our competitors,” Russell added. “Daniel performed exceptionally against some tough, high-level competition, Tony claimed his second absolute championship, and our youth grapplers were impressive with their aggression and technique.”
The Ross Fight Team is sponsored by Fitz-Gerald Clinic, Chu Clinic, Holiday Cleaners/Batter Up Sports Bar and Grill, Windham Motor Company, Parker Tire, Boone Pharmacy, Two Rivers Riding Club, Little Drug Company, Jefferson Community Club and Vowell’s Fresh Market.
The team at Ross Martial Arts Academy, located at 1014 Highway 80 East in Demopolis, will spend the next month and a half adding to their physical conditioning, refining techniques and adding new moves to their arsenals in preparation for their next competition July 19 at NAGA Georgia in Atlanta.
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