A local jiu-jitsu athlete persevered and won gold at a tournament this month.
Cory Burton of Island Top Team was able to place first in his white belt lightweight division at the Roots Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Tournament in Richmond on Aug. 8.
Burton won his opening match with a “lightning quick cross choke,” but after a later win in the semifinals, became ill and cramped, said Island Top Team instructor Robert Biernacki in a press release.
“I asked him if we wanted to forfeit the final, but he insisted on finishing the competition … showing incredible heart,” Biernacki said.
Facing a tough opponent, Burton was able to escape a shoulder lock and finish the match via a triangle choke.
Also at the tournament, Island Top Team’s Shane Malone dominated the opposition to take gold in his heavyweight purple belt division.
For more information about the club, please visit www.islandtopteam.com.