LOOKING UP: Tarawera High School's Allan Chisolm is a national champion. Photo Louis Klaassen D4164-13
Allan Chisolm
Year 9
Tarawera High School
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
YOU have to be strong and smart to succeed in Brazilian jiu jitsu.
That is the assessment of Tarawera High School’s Allan Chisolm, who won the 13-year-old white belt title at the Grappler Gi National Championships in Auckland three weeks ago. He was unbeaten in his two matches at the event.
Allan said he has only been in the sport for five months and trained twice a week for an hour-and-a-half each session in the build up to the champs. Ryan trains out of Kawerau’s Gracie Gym and said he liked the competition of the fight in jiu jitsu.
He said to win your fight, you needed to score the most points in the three-minute round, or make your opponent tap out – the act of conceding when put in a submission move. Brazilian jiu-jitsu emphasises getting an opponent to the ground in order to use ground-fighting techniques and submission holds involving joint locks and chokeholds.
It is designed to reward fighters who use mechanical advantage instead of pure physical strength. It has been a popular choice among parents as a combat sport for children as it does not involve striking.