FRONTLINE Australia had outstanding results in the 2023 Victorian Jiu Jitsu state titles, which took place on the weekend at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre.
The win gives Sale-based academy momentum as they prepare for the nationals.
Bryan Monkhouse (white belt 88.3kg) was Frontline’s first competitor. It was his first tournament, and unfortunately by a small mistake, was eliminated after his first match with a score of 9-2.
Derek Pohler (white belt 70kg) fought two matches to take out silver in his division.
Kelly Van Brummelen (blue belt +79.3kg) lost her first match in her super heavy category and took home bronze. She entered the absolute category and had two strong fights in which she took out gold in the overall.
Sam Cooper fought three fights in his blue belt category (76kg) and won his first two, and lost his third. He took home silver. Cooper also fought on Sunday in No Gii Blue belt division (73kg), during which he won two fights by submission – straight foot-locks in both fights to take home gold.
Bartholomew Butcher fought in his weight division for blue belt (70kg) with three fights in which he won all three to take out gold in his division.
Tom Fricker fought in his weight division for blue belt (-76kg) with three fights and three wins to take home gold in his category.
Tim Lyndon (blue belt -86.3kg) fought three with one win and one loss – he took out bronze in his division.
Bianca Visser fought in blue belt (+79.3kg) and placed with a silver, winning her first fight and losing her second. Visser fought in open weight and had two strong performances where she was able to take home gold overall.
Frontline Australia owners and coaches Eva and Scott Clarke acknowledged how well their competitors fought.
“Being a small club and with a handful of fighters we have certainly made our presence known in local, state and national competitions,” coach Eva said.
“Our athletes left nothing on the mats. We had eight competitors and all our returning competitors came home with a medal.
“Our female team finished sixth out of 23 teams in Gii and our males finished 11th overall out of 43 male teams.
“We had one first-timer today, and Bryan Monkhouse had a spectacular fight. Rest assured with a few more local tournaments under his belt, he will return to states to take home a medal.
“I personally want to thank our awesome team for helping the competitors get ready. No one can prepare for these competitions alone. So, thank you for turning up and supporting them in getting these results.
“We are indeed a small club, but the results speak for themselves. Having achieved such fantastic results give us confidence with our program and quality of coaching.
“Today’s results gives us coaches confidence in our strategies towards training and competitions. We hope that more members of our community consider Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for fitness, self-defence, social interaction, confidence and competition.”
The next challenge for Frontline is Nationals on August 26 and 27.
Frontline left the event with 10 medals total: Male Gi: 2 Gold, 2 Silver, 1 Bronze. Female Gi: 1 Silver, 1 Bronze. Male No-Gi: 1 Gold. Female Absolute Gi: 2 Gold. Total: 5 Gold, 3 Silver, 1 Bronze.
