Members of a Nanaimo jiu-jitsu academy fared well at a number of competitions earlier in November.
Island Top Team’s Shane Malone won a superfight at the Fury 4 Fight Night in Victoria Nov. 3, according to Robert Biernacki, Island Top Team instructor, in a press release. Malone took down his opponent in two minutes, forcing him to submit with a rear naked choke.
On Nov. 5, a number of members medalled at the West Coast Combat Championship held at Cilaire Elementary School in Nanaimo. In all, Island Top Team took home seven gold, two silver and two bronze medals. Adam McGuire won the men’s advanced gi, Jamie Gow won men’s novice gi and no gi and Titus Rae won gold in gi novice, as well as a silver in no gi novice.
Quaid Harrison won gold in the teen’s gi and no gi novice.
“In the kids novice gi division, one of our girls, Azia Deal, won the combined boys and girls category with two quick submissions, despite barely training in the gi,” Biernacki said.
In other club news, Biernacki was on hand to give instruction at the Tap Cancer Out event at Maple Ridge on Nov. 4, which saw about $10,000 raised for pancreatic cancer research.