ST. JEAN, St. Barths:--- A total of 30 athletes from St. Maarten’s SXM BJJ/Team Renzo Gracie Team along with coaches and family members traveled to the French island of St Barths on the Great Bay Express Ferry out of Bobby’s Marina. The tournament was organized for the third consecutive year by Nicolas Harmage of Saint Barths Jiu Jitsu Club. Adult exposition matches featured SXM BJJ’s blue belts Jami Eloi, Johan Munoz Rodriguez, Julien Dumon and Ruben Girault. 17-year-old Blue belt Ruben won two matches by submission against adults with a notable victory over St Barth’s highest rank (purple belt) competitor. SXM BJJ Kids coach Jami Eloi also won his match by submission.
Teengers included Shaquannie Vanterpool, Renard Brison, Derek Matser and Paul ten Broeke. SXM BJJ’s Kids team was represented by Markus Hassall, Izaiah Willems, Eldrick Phebe, Jaiden Somersall, Arman Yilmaz, Isaiah Arrindell-Peterson, Kzar Williems, Lucas Bardfield, Miles Cheasley, Jaden Busby, Nicholas Florea Hassell, Thomas ten Broeke, Caiyden Marlin, Seybian Wathey Ortega, Ajae Dayday, Lukas Hassell, Connor Scripps-Ewing, Leandro Zaballa, Omarion Thomas and Megan Whyte.
Local ferry provider The Great Bay Express graciously sponsored the group of athletes, coaches and family members who joined the team to lend support. SXM BJJ Head Instructor Melissa Bardfield is very thankful to the Great Bay Express Ferry for making the international trip feasible for the team for the third year in a row. Due to strict visa requirements to enter St Barths many students who hold passports from other Caribbean nations were not allowed to enter the island. SXM BJJ looks forward to showcasing the talents of the entire team and the next tournament to be held in St. Maarten in the spring.
For more information about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu classes in Cole Bay visit www.sxmbjj.com.
SXM BJJ Press Release
http://www.smn-news.com/st-maarten-st-martin-news/28273-st-maarten-s-sxm-bjj-team-had-a-strong-showing-at-the-third-annual-st-barths-bjj-open-tournament-on-saturday-january-27st.html
