I
n the world of mixed martial arts, it’s best to be ready for anything.
That’s why, before anyone in Cross Guard Brazilian jiu-jitsu’s school can even slap hands and grapple, they’re dog tired from 30 minutes of intense cardio.
Burpees, air squats, running, kicking, planks — each two never-ending minute segments. The athletes are slick with sweat after — especially when the air conditioning is turned off in the small room. But there’s no time for rest. They’re asked to practice several concepts before rolling.
That’s just how owner and head trainer Sam Kimmel likes it. Kimmel, a veteran of the Brazilian jiu-jitsu scene, knows that grapplers who can keep their techniques sound while tired can win big in extended competitions, such as this weekend’s NAGA Orlando Grappling Championship, in which his team will compete.
Kimmel’s grapplers, a mix of adults and kids from all walks of life, have been working hard to get to this point. Nearly all are white belts, but Kimmel is confident enough in their training — and, in some cases, their past tournament performances — he expects good things to come their way this weekend.
“They’re going to do awesome,” Kimmel says. “They’ve already come leaps and bounds. I hit cardio hard, hard, hard for these guys, so that’s not going to be an issue.”
Some of the Cross Guard grapplers first came into the school with the goal of one day competing in the Brazilian jiu-jitsu scene, much like Kimmel has. Others came to achieve fitness goals, such as losing weight or improving their cardio, and became hooked enough to give competitive grappling a try.
“‘Blue’ (Elisa Sohn), she’s lost almost 20 pounds already, getting ready for this tournament,” Kimmel says of a grappler. “I’m really excited to see her enter it. It’s her first tournament, she’s a little nervous about everything, but she’s going to destroy the competition for sure. She’s good.”
Cross Guard, on Collins Street, has been training with its Lakeland-based sister team, Carlson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, for the event.
The NAGA circuit, short for North American Grappling Association, is one of the largest of its kind in the country. Its schedule runs nearly every week from April through December, mostly in the United States, but occasionally finds time to host events in Brazil, France, Germany and other countries.
The Saturday, April 30, tournament will be held at the Orange County Convention Center, and Kimmel says there could be anywhere from 600 to 800 fighters competing.
In the last NAGA competition Cross Guard attended, the Lakeland Pan-Ams in December, Cross Guard grapplers won 18 total medals, including eight golds. “Hopefully, we’re gonna hit it hard,” Kimmel says.
Contact Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com.