Good Times Grappling

Skylar Rene within the session wrestling realm (already wrestled with Rage who was my first dream woman) Sydney Sweeney as a celeb, since she is possibly my favourite rn AND she has a good amount of MMA training so I imagine hers will actually be good too Also Kate Upton for the same reason, one of my favourites and she has a few years of BJJ training source, 2024 ↗

positive

BJJ is where I met most of my Sydney friends when I moved over. Good place to meet people and get combat cuddles if you’re feeling a bit lonely source, 2024 ↗

positive

I was before I joined, and still am now, part of the hardcore punk musical subculture. Moving to Townsville now for six years has completely taken that away from me, the one thing my life has pretty much been structured around from the age of 15 to 29 (when I joined) as there is no scene here. All my friends are in Newcastle, Sydney, Bris/GC or Melbourne but ironically more of them live in the UK or the US due to the nature of the subculture. Good thing I’m moving back to the UK when I get out, plus I’m in the US at least twice a year. I have zero civilian friends in Townsville apart from peop source, 2023 ↗

positive

Twice at comps I have cornered complete strangers who were there either alone or just with their partner. I will often post on my social media. If you see me at a comp and need a corner. Just ask. I am easily recognised at all the local Sydney comps. I wish everyone had supporters at their comps but sometimes they just don’t. So I am happy to be everyone’s supporter. Your secondary goal for competing in local comps should be to build the quality of Jiu Jitsu locally. So just help each other. source, 2023 ↗

neutral

It would have been 2010, I was once a purple belt with a dream. We managed to have Gui Mendes come to our humble little gym in Sydney Australia for a seminar. After the seminar when I had a chance to talk to him, I asked him what tips he has for up and coming competitors with big dreams. He gave me the usual spiel about training hard, 3 times a day, 6 days a week. That's what he and Rafa do and his competition team. I wasn't aware that everyone was juicing back then. Honestly at that point I sort of knew I didn't have what it took to be good at the sport, 3 times a day regularly wasn't so source, 2023 ↗

positive

I don’t believe that class structure is unique to John. Lachlan ran a very similar format when I was training in Melbourne and it works great there, even for the hobbiests. In Sydney I use a similar format in my classes at Grappling Education and SJJA and you see the same at Sydney West Martial Arts where I train. I strongly believe that, for the most part, warmups for Jiu Jitsu is just a way for a coach to waste a good chunk of time. source, 2023 ↗

positive

In general, short answer is anyone from Keller Locke Sodhi’s gym Grappling Education is good to look out for. Keller won the last trials and had a close match with Murilo Santana. Sydney West Martial Arts (SWMA) is the other leading nogi gym in the current local scene, headed by Luke Martin. Now there’s also the incredibly long answer, since you guys are an important witness to have. Keep in mind, I am just a blue belt who is an enormous fan of the local competitors. Hopefully one of these actual big names with better jiu jitsu can offer more relevant insight on who the top guys are, and p source, 2022 ↗

positive

Festivals almost every weekend, the large number of theatres (plays / musicals). Huge Craft beer scene, large range of good restaurants serving all types of cuisines, good Jiu Jitsu gym. I've travelled a lot of Australia and regional towns are wonderful to visit but I need variety where I live and I have no interest living North, South or West Sydney and travelling in to enjoy these things, I want them on my doorstep and happy to pay for that. source, 2022 ↗

positive