Nanaimo jiu-jitsu team are making progress, and some are making it to the top of the podium.
Island Top Team sent a contingent to a Grappling Industries tournament in Vancouver on July 20, and finished the competition with three gold medals and four silvers.
A highlight was the performance of Top Team assistant coach Cory Burton, who won his masters 185-pound no gi expert division. He had been consistently in the top three of late, so the gold medal breakthrough was "incredibly emotional" for the competitor and his coach.
"Cory is the heart of the club and everyone has been rooting for him, so the entire club is thrilled to see him reach this milestone," said Robert Biernacki, Island Top Team instructor, in a press release.
Also at the tourney, Sarah Kolybaba went up in rank and weight to win her masters no gi purple belt division, and Breanne Dyck also went up in experience and weight to win her masters no gi blue belt division with two decisive submission victories, both via armbar.
Biernacki said both women "came through clutch" and hinted that their performances would be leading to rank promotions.
Another noteworthy effort came from Anthony McPhail, who took silver both in his adult 185-pound gi blue belt division and also in the adult men's absolute division while showing "immense potential."
