International Vegas Open - '10: Great Day of Jiu Jitsu for Five Rings

Five Rings went to participate in the IBJJF Vegas Open on August 14, 2010. Coach Tom Oberhue and Andreas Correa travelled to Las Vegas, to be sharpen their skills and get more tournament experience. Coach Tom had a great day - going 3 - 0 in the Black Belt / Senior 1 division - taking two gold metals. 

In match one, Leandro Valdes from Brasa. Tom worked his take-down setup for a couple of minutes before getting the match to the ground. Once hitting the ground, he worked to get his body onto his opponent and play a tight, tough top game. The match went the distance, with Coach Tom winning via points, 20 - 0.

In match two, the first match in the Black Belt, Senior 1 Open division, Coach Tom found himself facing his previous oppenent - Leandro Valdes. Leandro came out wanting to make-up for the previous match and brought his attacking game, almost ankle locking and elbow locking Tom in the first two minutes. However, Coach Tom weathered the storm and got back to his top pressure game, ending the match in via bow and arrow collar choke. Most importantly, there was a great spirit to the fight... very intense, very positive, very fun! It was a blast.

In the Open Division finals, Tom faced Rhodisley Wilson from Drysdale BJJ. An established black belt and IBJJF referee, Tom knew he was in for a battle. The match started fast and furious, and it what seemed like no time at all, Rhodisley was on Tom's back attacking collars. However, a fatal mistake was made. Rhodisley crossed his legs while on Tom's back. Tom crossed his legs over his opponents and went for the ankle lock. After a thirty second battle to see who could finish first - Rhodisley on Tom's collar or Tom on the ankle, Tom got the tap via ankle lock. He felt bad due to the fact that Rhodisley was in noticeable pain. However, he displayed impressive sportsmanship and, on top of that, competed later in the day in No-Gi with an extremely soar ankle ... impressive.

It was a great day of competition for Coach Tom. One that wouldn't have happened without all the support and great training partners at Five Rings - particularly Eric Dorsett, Michael Amador, Nathan Jeffers, Eric Hemphill (Nemesis), Nick Burke, Aaron Sparling, Toby Presnell, Andreas Correa, and Chris Dealy (Touch Em Up). Big thanks to everyone for supporting, helping, and beleiving in the vision of Five Rings Jiu Jitsu.

On top of competing, Coach Tom also referred over 75 matches over the course of the day (Gi and No-Gi). It was not only fantastic to watch so much great Jiu Jitsu, but getting practice as an IBJJF has helped take his understanding of the sport to new levels. There is so much to know and understand about tournament Jiu Jitsu, it is great to be a part of the "bigger conversation".

Andreas Correa competed in the No-Gi, Adult, Blue Belt, lightweight division. It was a stacked division. Andreas came out and battled in his first match, but unfortunately lost to a triangle choke to a competitor that ended up going to the finals. No shame. It was a great experience for him and a way to sharpen his game before the American Nationals September 25.

Jeff Bourgeois - the promoter of The Revolution Tournament in Seattle and honorary member of Five Rings, also joined Coach Tom and Andreas in Vegas. Jeff competed as a new brown belt and refereed as well. It was terrific to be able to spend time with Jeff - he is an ambassodor of the sport.

Oregon Jiu Jitsu was well represented at the Vegas Open. Oregon athletes that competed and did well: Ben Baxter, Brent Primus, Bill Bradley, Tom Tegner, Matt Leech, Shilo Roberts, Scott Abernathy, Rodney Buswell, and Woody Little. It is cool to see the sport of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu grow and flourish - International, national, and regionally in the Northwest and in Oregon.

For more info on Portland Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, go to www.5rjj.com or call Five Rings Jiu Jitsu at 503-327-8265. We offer over twenty-five instructional BJJ classes throughout the week, Monday through Saturday, for all ability levels, men, women, and juniors.