Blog

What a weekend. A week ago, a team flew 1500 km into Kyiv, Ukraine, to join @nogigregor for the later part of the camp, and then took an 8-hour train Friday to compete in Zaporizhnia over the weekend. With the team’s only 3rd competition, 2 golds, 3 silvers and 3 bronzes was the total outcome, but more importantly, more data inputs to continue growing a team. @zojagostencnik , at her 2nd competition as a white belt, stepped up to blue, beating her opponent 17 6 only to succumb to her friend and teammate in the final to an accidental reap earning a silver medal. Both ladies closed out the division. @juresesko had an incredible showing earning Gold, winning all three matches without a single point being scored on him, and earning one submission. Well done. @anejgajsek , coming off knee surgery, tested competition waters for the second time, first as a brand new blue belt earning bronze. @tilen.toplak earned a bronze at blue, losing a tightly contested decision, and could not advance and showcase all of his jiu-jitsu, disappointing coming off two consecutive tournament victories. Great stuff coming from this guy. Andrej had an incredible showing earning bronze via three submissions, losing a decision against a very game opponent, and showcasing great resolve in the mixed Absolutes. Of course, it is always great to see our Ukrainian 10th Planet Blue Belt and ZR friend, @fl1rryjiu , earning silver in gi at her weight and absolutes and winning Gold in no-gi. With the team’s only 3rd competition, we keep improving. We want to thank the @tms_league for a professionally run event. We look forward to being back very soon

A quick highlight reel our 🇺🇦 friends put together from last weekend’s @tms_league tournament – with more coming soon. Lots of growth and touch points to adjust for the next one. @kinetika.gym

The team’s 4th tournament concluded today at @ajptour We brought 12 competitors, including two children, for the 1st time. We obtained 5🥇 , 5 🥈, and 1 🥉, fighting 26 matches, winning 17 (6 by submission), and losing 9, including 1 with team mates closing a division. We scored 117 points and gave up 46, scoring #8 academy spot amount 25 in mixed gi & no-gi category as a strictly no-gi school. Today, our thoughts and support are also with our TeamMates and friends in 🇺🇦 @tms_league , where we were training in peace just three weeks ago. We continue improving and refining our competition strategy and acumen and look forward to representing at the next one even better.
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In the blue belt category: Tilen wins 1st and Jan 2nd, closing out the finals match displaying beautiful jiu-jitsu. Andrej takes 2nd in a stacked division, losing in finals by a point, 2 to 1. Vlado wins one by submission and loosing one earning Silver.

Zoja earned gold with two wins among the white belts, including a beautiful inverted triangle. Jure earned bronze, starting off well as usual, but making a shifting mistake, costing him advancement from quarters. Rok took second winning his first two matches and tiring in the finals. Three white belts competed for the very first time as well. Armin and Beno both displayed exceptional skills winning their respective division. Denis obtained experience winning his first match and losing his next two and will be back stronger. Our two children, Luka and Ela, earned 1st and 2nd place in their categories – in a gi.