By Bobby Narang- Photos by Renee Kaspar
** Additional Photos are Available at https://justallsports.zenfolio.com/p240259128 **
BARRINGTON – The Canlan Sportsplex was a bevy of activity on Saturday.
The FUJI Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Chicago Spring Open was the main event, with competitors ranging from four years old to adults from throughout the Midwest competing in the one-day tournament.
Competitors and fans were all smiles throughout the event. Many competitors were thrilled to be competing in several matches. The youth event was held in the morning, while most of the adult matches occurred in the afternoon.
Clinton Grider, the owner and organizer of the event, said the sport has grown by leaps and bounds during the last decade.
“We’ve been running events in Chicago for probably seven years,” Grider said. “It’s been growing and growing over the years. The sport is massive up here, but a lot of people are still not familiar with Jiu-Jitsu. By far, it’s the biggest martial arts around here.
“There are so many high-level guys right now. Even today, we had brown belts on the mats. This is a local tournament, but I’m seeing more and more high-level guys on the mats. They start them very young. We have a bunch of four and five year olds competing today. There’s a future in this growing sport and everyone wants to start them younger and younger. It’s so beyond what it is even a decade ago. We usually have one or two-day events. We had 400 competitors on the mats today in about an eight-hour time frame.”
Saturday’s event featured action on eight blue and yellow mats lined up to allow family, friends and spectators easy access for viewing the bouts. Competitors ranged from white, yellow to grey belts.
Nash Schmitz was a perfect representative of the growing sport. He talked extensively about love for Jiu-Jitsu and for others to try the sport. Schmitz, who trains out of Veneration Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Kenosha, Wisconsin, won his first three matches. He eventually captured a gold medal in the male 12-to-13 year-old bracket in the under 100-pound group.
“I just didn’t think about anything, not being in my head helped me a lot,” Schmitz said. “I just went hard. I made sure to keep going and drink water. This sport has given me so much confidence and strength in myself, plus I just enjoy it. If anybody out there is thinking of trying it, they need to. When I first started, I didn’t want to do it. My parents told me to just go at it. I then fell in love with it.”
Kingston Bowen walked around the mats with a smile on his face following a strong opening two matches. The Woodstock native notched gold in the 12-to-13 year- old group in under 140 pounds. Bowen said he loves the sport but also talked about preparation for tough events. He’s been competing for six years.
“I gave it my all and left it all on my mat,” Bowen said. “I love getting the butterflies before competitions. I also play football, so I learned a lot like if you just stick with the sport, you will get better at it and the competition never gets easier but you have to keep on working hard.”
Kaitlyn Sigman was among the standout performers on Saturday. The 11-year-old was slated for nearly 17 matches on Saturday.
She cruised to victories in her first six matches. The Kenosha Wisconsin resident won a gold medal in the KIDS GI age 10-to-11 under 110-pound division, while also claiming a gold in the under 120-pound class.
“I’ve just been getting takedowns and being aggressive,” Sigman said. “I like training and it keeps me active and I just love this sport.
Cassidy Hartman, 12 years old, fighting in the 14- 15 year-old group, is among the most experienced in the sport. She’s been traveling to competitions all over the United States, from Las Vegas to Florida. Hartman notched a gold medal in the Female 14-to-15-year old under 120 pound group.
“I’ve been training about seven years,” Hartman said. “It’s a very peaceful (sport) to me. When I go into the gym, I feel all my problems wash away. I did well in my first three matches, just went in there and did my thing. I’m going to take Jiu-Jitsu as far as it can.”
Trevor Hall was another competitor with several years of experience in the sport. Hall captured gold in the 12-to-13 age group in the under 80 pounds class.
“I went fast and go hard,” Hall said. “I’ve been training for five years. I’ve met a lot of friends and people. I really like the sport.”
Liam Krause had a day to remember. The Grand Rapids, Michigan native said he’s been happy with his progression in the sport during his two years. The eight-year-old won the gold division in the 8-to-9 year old group for under 90 pounds.
“I had five matches,” Krause said late Saturday morning. “I did a good job and defending well. I thought I would do good. I’m very happy.”
Breckin Miller, who trains at P3 Martial Arts and for Lovato Jiu-Jitsu, hails from Elk Grove. Miller, 10 years old, said he’s been training for two years. He won the gold medal in the 10-to-11 year old group.
“The Key was I tried to stick to my game plan,” Miller said. “I like how you always have to be active and paying attention. I hope to keep doing as many tournaments as I can and to keep winning.”
Cameron Collins, who was born and raised in Chicago, had extensive training at Alexander Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, won gold in the 14-to-15 year old under 100-pound class.
“The key for me was being strong and just going for it,” Collins said. “I expected to do well. I’ve been training for nine years, 14 years old. I’m pretty excited after how I did this morning.”
Brianna Schultz, a 14-year- old out of Rockford, is having a strong start to her career despite just eight months involved in the sport. She claimed the gold medal in the Female 14-to-15-year-old group under 140 pounds. She added a gold medal in the 150-pound group as well.
“I did good staying on top and had good balance,” Schultz said. “I didn’t do a whole of sports, but liked this one a lot.”
Aidyn Taylor, a 15-year-old from Morris, won his first three bouts on Saturday. Taylor said he’s enjoyed his one year in the sport, crediting his background in wrestling for helping to speed up his development.
“Technique was key for me today,” Taylor said. “I patiently waited for them to make a mistake and I made my move. I like everything about this event and sport. I also wrestling and learned the importance of discipline and hard work.”
Elliot Benitez, a 38-year old competing in the Master’s 30 division, said he was happy with his performance and praised the event organizers.
“The first time competing for me was in my early 20s,” Benitez said. “I’ve been to at least a dozen competitions, trained in different marital arts, done boxing matches, kickboxing matches and judo matches and jiu-jitsu matches. I’m a jack-of-all trades I guess.
“I felt good today, especially in my first two matches. I had some good training coming into the tournament, so that helped and no excuses. FUJI is a great brand, so I’m so thankful.”