The 22nd International German Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Championship in Altenheim: A Recap

Top fights were on offer. Over 300 active participants – 160 children and young people, as well as 150 adults – started at the 22nd International German Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Championship in Altenheim at the weekend.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) is a martial art that is a further development of Judo and Jiu Jitsu. The focus in fights is on the ground, although throwing techniques from a standing position are also part of the repertoire. The Jiu Jitsu Judo Club (JJJC) has had a home in Neuried for many years and has made a significant contribution to the further development of the national scene through its simultaneous involvement in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation Germany (BJJBD).

The international German championship took place in Ichenheim and Altenheim in the early days, and after a temporary move and Corona break, returned to Altenheim for the first time in 2022. The number of participants increased slightly in the current new edition in the junior section. There were around 50 fewer adults active, “but that also has to do with the fact that another tournament is taking place in Berlin at the same time,” says Adam Thursday in an interview.

The JJJC chairman appears relaxed despite busy days of competition. “The scene has exploded in recent years, especially when it comes to the number of tournaments. Overall, it’s still manageable, with a family character. Sometimes a few fighters stay away, but new faces come in. People know each other and always communicate at eye level,” he says.

The participants came from Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Ukraine. The proximity to the Straburg martial arts center also brings many French people. This is confirmed when you look into the hall: you can see active participants communicating everywhere, things are rustic on the mats, but always with a high degree of respect and fairness – among each other, but also towards the mat judges. “These are values ​​that we all hold dear,” emphasizes Thursday. The participants also value the smooth process – especially the accompanying technology, which concerns the registration process, which has long since been carried out online.

“Even on competition days, the active participants can always use the app to find out when they have to go again next. This simplifies many processes fundamentally,” says JJJC deputy chairman Michael Haselein. Haselein, who was active at world level for many years until 2016, is paying close attention to developments, including in his own club, which has around 180 members. “In the judo sector, Corona has unfortunately further accelerated the death of many clubs. But overall we are well positioned, also for the future.”

In Neuried, the younger generation sector in particular has experienced a new boom in the last two or three years. “They have literally run us over the edge,” smiles Chairman Thursday. However, getting young people into competitions and keeping them constantly in training from the age of 14 or 15 onwards has not proven to be easy after the pandemic. “In this respect, I view this with some concern. During the Corona period, some young people have seen that there are other alternatives and that it is also possible without martial arts training. Here it is important to look for ways to remember the previous times to get started,” says the chairman.

Active participants from the region were able to win a total of four medals in the title fights. David Lehmann (Sojuz Luta Livre Lahr) took gold in the No-Gi, blue belt, middleweight (79.5 kilograms) and Steven Bleumortier (Sukhotai Academy Lahr) took silver in the Gi Open Master competition. Bleumortier also came third with gi, white belt, super heavyweight (+94.3 kilos). The Lebanese Jamal Akkouche (Sojuz Luta Livre Lahr) won silver in the No-Gi Masters 2 middleweight (79.5 kilos).

2023-11-28 21:04:54
#respect #fairness #sports