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Top Team tough to beat at jiu-jitsu championships

Nanaimo's Island Top Team athletes combined to win 16 medals at the CBJJF’s B.C. championships Feb. 6 in Burnaby.

Nanaimo’s jiu-jitsu club was a powerhouse at provincial championships.

Island Top Team athletes combined to win 16 medals at the Canadian Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation’s B.C. championships Feb. 6 in Burnaby.

Shane Malone led the team with four gold medals, winning his weight class and absolute divisions in purple-belt gi, and winning the same divisons in no gi.

Adam Mcguire won three gold medals, winning his weight class and absolute white belt gi, along with beginner no gi. He submitted all his opponents at the competition, favouring the guillotine choke.

Dwayne Johnston was a gold medallist in both his weight class and in blue belt gi competition. James Bowen took gold in white belt gi and silver in beginner no gi. Cal McDonald earned silver in blue belt gi and Rory Van Vliet took bronze in blue belt gi.

“We could not be prouder of our team,” said Rob Biernacki, Island Top Team instructor, in a press release. “We do not put a huge emphasis on training for competition at out club, we just do our best to help one another get as good at jiu-jitsu as we can and try to have fun along the way.”