Competing On a No-Gi Show & Training Around Other Priorities

A few months ago Aaron, an old school friend of mine, called me up and asked me if I wanted to compete on a no-gi grappling show in our hometown of Shrewsbury. I took a week to think about it; I’ve been retired from competitive Judo for a few years now and have been enjoying some recreational Jiu-jitsu and gym training around work and Judo coaching. I was previously a full time international Judo player, while I certainly don’t miss plenty of elements of that lifestyle like living on little money, making weight, training 3 times daily etcetera, I do miss the buzz of tournament day. That was always my favourite bit. Quite a few people on the BJJ sessions I attend compete and I always feel a bit of excitement building within myself when they talk about events they’ve been at.

I had a think for a few days after Aaron’s proposition and weighed up a few things before agreeing to compete. 

I love competition, I’ll enjoy it. I’ve also only ever done a tournament style of competing, a ‘one off contest’ on a show event is another new experience for me. I’ve only ever competed in a gi too, so the no-gi is ticking off an additional first time box. I find that all stimulating.

I coach. As my own Judo coach Luke regularly says, “don’t forget what it’s like to be the athlete.” I have observed that some players (myself included), upon retiring and in those first few years while transitioning into coaching, can get a bit too philosophical and can have some unusual coaching ideas, probably as they come to terms with their own careers and strengths and weaknesses they exhibited during it. I can’t see how feeling what it’s like to be ‘the man on the ground’ again can do any harm. Albeit the emotional attachment isn’t there like it was with Judo, I feel little drive towards any particularly BJJ goal, however on the day I will want to do well which will stir up the usual tournament day feelings that shall need dealing with.

I also don’t wish to be that person that talks about, and occasionally attempts to teach, the cross overs between Judo and Jiu-Jitsu, not without at least being willing to compete a few times in the art I’m less competent at. For that reason in the few events I’ve entered to get some experience I chose to do the adult brown belt division. At 36 I believe I’m eligible to do the Masters 2 bracket but I want to test myself against the best people that I can because that’s where I’m forced to learn most. I’m certainly not in the shape I was as a full time Judo athlete but physically I still feel pretty good, I wouldn’t say the contests I have lost have been down to lacking physicality. 

My baseline of training now is one session a day; BJJ on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Strength and power work on a Tuesday and Thursday. Some occasional Judo rounds on sessions I run or am involved in. I will train on a weekend when there are no coaching commitments. I began to up my training as we got towards the summer holidays. After 2 to 3 weeks of that I felt fit and sharp and largely ready to compete, I did then notice during the next week or so I hit a plateau. I didn’t feel as good at work and ideas weren’t coming as easy- I’m involved in two young businesses and we are doing our best to drive those on. I find my baseline level of training pretty comfortable to maintain, I still largely enjoy every session and seldom have to force myself to go. It’s been a good learning curve that after this event if I do want to do anymore then I’ll up the training for 2-3 weeks leading in and that will be enough. Enough for me to feel content with the preparation anyway; when I was a full time athlete ‘enough’ was whatever was required to put ourselves in the best position to win, regardless of anything else. Everything was positioned around the training and competing, that’s not the case anymore.

But, for me at least, I wish to lead a lifestyle that at least includes regular training, but now I have to fit it in around other priorities. I quite like the challenge of having to find new routines. 

Anyway, GrappleMax, August 30th, Shrewsbury. Looking forward to it.

Danny