SUBMISSION specialists from Mildura brought back a haul of medals from last weekend’s Australian Jiu-Jitsu Championship in Melbourne.
Two gyms represented the region at the nationals, Mildura Martial Arts which had two athletes compete, and Mildura Brazilian Jiu Jitsu which had 19.
MBJJ athletes walked away with five golds, eight silver and seven bronze medals.
MBJJ coach Luke Burnham said this was the most athletes he’s had compete, making it equally as chaotic as it was rewarding.
“It was a hard weekend but it was also enjoyable seeing the guys go out and give it a crack,” he said.
“When they win, just seeing the look on their faces is worth everything.
“It’s good for them to test what they learn, especially going to Melbourne because it is the strongest jiujitsu state in the country.
“So whenever we go there, we know the athletes really have to earn the win.
“We could’ve done better, but I am never disappointed in them because going out in those competitions is not easy.
“I am always proud of them, win, lose or draw.
“We usually have dinner on the Saturday night but everyone was too wrecked because it was such a long day but now that we’re home, we might have a barbie and a catch up.”
Mildura Martial Arts athlete Lachlan Mendoza, who also competed at nationals, is one of the best up-and-coming jiu-jitsu practitioners in the country.
Mendoza competed in no-gi minus 81 kilos and gi minus 85 kilos, winning gold in both.
“I am very happy with the results that I got,” he said.
“In my first gi match I fought a kid who’s won a lot, I bet him in 26 seconds by straight foot lock.
“The finals I fought someone who had beaten me at the Vic State Titles recently, I beat him with 28 seconds left by a foot lock which gave me gold in that division.
“In the no-gi division, I fought the same guy from my first match and beat him in a minute and four seconds by straight foot lock.
“The finals I fought a really strong opponent who I went on to beat on points.
“It felt good, the adrenaline was very high and I wasn’t nervous at all.
“I didn’t really celebrate, I just jumped in the pool and hung out with my friends who also competed.”
Mildura athletes won 26 medals in total, which is twice as many compared to the previous year.
