so i have the honor of saying that i am a volunteer at our local Police Athletic League. it's a community program that "Brings Cops and Kids Together". Basically it's a gym with trainers in various disciplines. i am involved because my brother in, whom i have trained with off and on over the years started a Jiu Jitsu program, and i prefer to get choked than to be knocked out, for one. also, i love and respect the art. the program has been running for about two and a half, three months, or something and we now have 31 students! ranging from 5 yrs to 18 yr olds.
anyway, our two top students were eager to try out competiton, so we rented a van hauled it up to Lakeland, Fl for the North American Grappling Association's tournament.
here's our boys as we checked in at the hotel
here they are just after weigh in, trying to settle the jitters...
i spent most of my time operating my sister's super bad ass telephoto lens camera. i took so many pictures with it that i almost learned something! but i wasn't able to document much with my phone. so i just have to jump to the results! these amazing kids competed in both Gi and no Gi categories, which were shorthanded on competitors, so they each had to step up. one fought in a weight class to steps higher than his own, the other moved up from novice to beginner skill level. and here it is...
BOOM! two fighters, two divisions, four gold medals! these kids are awesome. they train everyday with dedication, they're smart and funny. they take care of their jiu jitsu family, helping the younger kids and less advanced students and they're gonna be wonderful human beings all their lives. i was so excited to watch them step on the mats, and i'm so so proud of them, i just had to share that! :) :D
also, look at this silly video that we watched on the ride up, it accounts for the pose they do in a couple of these pics.