Jiu-Jitsu
As my late friend and guru of the Noosa Triathlon, Garth Proud once told me, “If we had the right type of people running this town, it could be the sporting capital of Australia”.
On reading through the result sheets from the Australian Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu National Championships, held recently in Melbourne, the results achieved by our Noosa club once again, made me remember the statement made on that past distant morning.
Competing under the banner of the CAZA Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu club, this team of 14 competitors came home with a medal count that further emphasises those remarks: five gold, five silver and four bronze. Total 14 competitors and 14 medals. These results they achieved contesting in a in a tournament of some 2000 competitors, representing 70 different teams.
The team members who made this such a memorable occasion, by winning gold were Vegas’ Latina Castle, Ava Greason, Samson Barton and Morgan Van Der Walt. Silver medallists were Sean Greason, Jyssica Lian, Ashley Greason, Daniel Svoboda and Santi Cowley and in the bronze, Catrina Molini Barros, Jordan Van Der Walt, Phoenix Perry and Talia Pocock.
Under the coaching and guidance of Professor Yoshi Hasegawa, recently promoted to 4th Dan, the history of this club one of on-going success. Formed in February 2017, and now with a membership of 200 plus, the CAZA club will this year celebrate its seventh year.
Club achievements through the years have been outstanding: won the Sunshine Coast Open overall team championship three times and for five consecutive years the kid’s overall title. Add to this, various state, national and Pan Pacific championships have also been achieved.
With regard to grading , 12 members are now proud recipients of the coverted black belt. The Caza club also holds classes for children from 2 to 12 years of age and adult classes are available for 12 years and above. It also includes some still training at the evergreen age of 70 years: also, there are women’s only, classes available.
The CAZA BJJ club headquarters is located in Noosa Junction with another branch in Caloundra: add to this Maroochydore has another known as Rolling Fitness. In Ipswich there are two additional clubs known as Drop Bear: one in Raceview and the other in Lockrose.
The first steps towards the creation of the sport of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, came about following a visit to Brazil by Japanese Judo expert Mitsuyo Madea in 1914. He also taught Jiu-Jitsu. On arrival he was helped get established by local businessman Gastao Gracie: then Gastao son Carlos, began to train under Madea. After several years, Carlos was promoted to instructor. His younger brother Helio, had also started training.
He too in time began teaching. However, because of his frail body strength he began to modify techniques to suit his requirements. As a result, the brothers Carlos and Helio began using these modifications and thus in time Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy came into being: eventually because of the success the name Gracie became known internationally.
The rest is history: the sport is now regarded as one of the fastest grown sports in the world.
As with the majority of martial art clubs, the CAZA Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu club, situated in Noosa Junction, has as its foundation, tradition, discipline and good manners: resulting in success and a solid growth in membership. In particular, starting with the youth of our community.
Congratulations and well done to Professor Yoshi Hasegawa 4th Dan and his team of instructors.
Coolangatta Gold
On the weekend, Noosa took a team of their clubbies to Coolangatta, for a dry pratice run over the Coolangatta Gold course. Preparing for the event was the current open female champion Carla Papac, plus a select few of their open and masters athletes. Also included was a group of eight young athletes, who will be competing in team events throughout the year.
Also in the team was Caitlin Reid who is doing the U17 short course solo. Another of our younger athletes Kaiya Marsh, attended in preparation for the Coolangatta downwind paddle, a relatively new event which is a straight 15km downwind paddle.
The club had two groups of athletes on Saturday morning training in tough trying beach conditions, with some training for the 42km long course event, and the remainder in training for the 21km short course.
Noosa’s Director of Surf Sports Alan Rogers said, ‘’We have an exciting group of younger athletes emerging. It was a great opportunity having them train with Carla, the reigning champion, to experience exactly what is needed to succeed in this gruelling event. With 3-4 hours spent on the water and sand, it was a tired group who returned to Noosa on Sunday. However, this will definitely make them better prepared for the big event in mid- October.’’
