It was a surprise win for 16-year-old white belt Nicolas Ouellet at the Western Canadian Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Championship.
Three members of Powell River’s Brazilian Jiu-jitsu team travelled to Burnaby to compete earlier this month. Ouellet took gold after defeating four adult opponents. “He forced two of his opponents to submit and beat the other two with higher points,” said Andrew Thistle, head of the Powell River team. “It’s quite the accomplishment for him.”
Ouellet competed in the juvenile division for his last two tournaments where he won gold.
“He had been showing interest in moving up and training hard,” said Thistle. “We asked if he could be entered into the adult division for this tournament.” Initially, the tournament organizers were undecided, but on the day of the tournament he was the only one registered in white belt juvenile male light weight so they bumped him up.
Ouellet competed in the white belt category of adult male middle weight. All his opponents were 20 pounds heavier and at least two years older.
“I just thought it would just be a good experience for him,” said Thistle, “but he went in and ended up winning gold.”
Thistle said that although Ouellet’s win surprised him, it also was a reminder that skills trump size in a discipline that was designed as a martial art of self-defence.
Blue belts Danny Carto and Graham Martin also entered the competition from the team. Carto won silver in adult middle weight.
“It is really good,” said Thistle. “He’s only been a blue belt for half a year and things start to get really technical in blue belt fights.”
Thistle said that he’s really impressed with the performance of his team at these tournaments. The club’s next competition will be at the Roots Brazilian Jiu-jitsu tournament in Richmond, June 29. “They’re hungry to compete,” he said.
Thistle plans to offer a self-defence class for women at the club. For more information readers can visit the club online.
