BJJ lowdown and achievements so far....
I started training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) in December 2009, just once per week initially, I was the only female and the smallest at 5ft and 58kg... in fact at 35 years I was the oldest in the club too! In May 2010 I attended the Gracie Invitational and competed for the first time at feather weight, there were only 3 of us that weight category as BJJ was still pretty new for ladies. I can remember looking at my opponents and thinking to myself 'my god you are 35 years of age what the hell are you doing here'. I won my first fight with a submission and the second on points and came home to Exeter with my first ever Gold Medal.
December 2010 - I attended the Hereford Open and won a Silver medal. I competed against Rebecca Hill and won by submission, then lost to Vanessa English who arm barred me a cracker... which I now know how to get out of lol.
January 2011 - attended European BJJ Championships - I had the fantastic opportunity to travel to Lisbon , so I though what the hell and had a go at competing with the white belts there too... I was amazed to see over 40 white belt ladies on that competition day. Sadly I lost my first fight to the overall winner but I was just so pleased to be there. On my return I started training BJJ at my partners MMA Club Project Mayhem in Exeter I trained everyday for 45 daysto the point where if i did not roll I would have withdraw symptoms.
April 2011 - attended the Britsh Open (Gi) and lost my first fight to Rebecca Hill, who consequently went on to smash her way through most people and was given her Blue Belt on the podium :(... Later in April I was honoured my Blue Belt by Black Belt Coach Raphael Dos Santos (GB)
October 2011 - attended the British Open NoGi competition, this was my first competition as a blue belt and with NoGi... Won my first fight and lost my second but came home with a Silver medal.
To be continued .....
