Brazilian Power Team harvest series of medals

Saturday 14 April 2018

The last few weeks have brought in a lot of medals for the Brazilian Power Team with competitors shining in Rome and Manchester.

Charlie Tromans, who represented Jersey at the All Stars Brazilian jiu-jitsu Pro Open in Manchester on 7 April, took home three medals after competing in seven fights, winning a Gold in NoGI division, Silver in NoGi open weight and Bronze in GI division.

Gi and NoGi are the two forms of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. While both include grappling, in Gi competitors are allowed to grab the clothing of their opponent which is forbidden in NoGi.

Pictured: BPT Coach Eddie Afonso took home three silver medals in Manchester.

In Manchester, BPT coach Eduardo ‘Eddie’ Afonso competed in three fights winning silver in NoGI, NoGI open weight and GI division.

BPT head coach, Vladimiro ‘Miro’ Afonso said: "I am very proud of the squad and the work that they put in consistently to get the results that they do. It takes real commitment and guts to show up at these events and compete at this level and is something we actively encourage at Brazilian Power Team Jersey. A big thank you to our sponsors who make it possible to compete abroad and represent our Island."

Pictured: Miro Afonso was second in the open weight category at the Rome Open.

On 24 March, five members of the team had travelled to Rome to compete in the Rome European Championship of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu NoGI and the Rome Open under IBJJF. The Jersey squad was represented by some first timers as well as their coaches. Miro Afonso achieved second place in the open weight category, described as the competition's  most difficult, as well as a third place in his division.

Commenting on the Rome weekend, he said: "We had people who’ve been training for less than a year all the way up to myself who has been training for 20 years. As an active competition squad, we encourage our members to train hard and then push themselves through competing – it is a big challenge both mentally and physically to come to these events. This weekend was a brilliant experience, one that we can all learn something from."

Pictured: BPT Head Coach Vladimiro 'Miro' Afonso and BPT Coach Eduardo 'Eddie' Afonso in London.

Earlier this year coach Miro Afonso also took part in the British National Pro Jiu Jitsu Championship in London. The BTP head coach took home the gold medal in the under-94kg Masters division by winning two consecutive matches on points. This was the second British title in the season for the BPT who can now boast Gold medals in the world's two biggest grappling federations.