I competed at the 2013 Pan Pacs last weekend. My prep wasn’t ideal due to tearing my meniscus 2 weeks prior (and missing out on GTA). For the first time EVER, I decided not to enter open weight. I was a little sad as I try to never make my light weight an excuse in my BJJ, but this time I had to get real and face the fact that I am small. It just simply wasn’t worth risking an injury so close to World Champs and my World BJJ Trip.

My main focus was no gi and I wanted to fix some mistakes and feel less scrappy in it.

I decided to compete in Feather weight. I started cutting about 2 weeks prior, but with a week to go I was still sitting 1.5 kgs over and didn’t want to go to work hungry, angry and fight dehydrated. We had 4 girls in no gi feather purple, which is quite a feat for Australia!

I nearly missed my division as I came straight from work on Friday and relayed on the comp running about 2-3 hours late. But all credit to AFBJJ, the comp run on time, if not early. This is a massive step in the right direction!

As I was driving to the venue, I found out Lachie won gold, which set the mood for the weekend.

I won my first match 4-0 against Sunny, one of my favourite local BJJ ladies and progressed into the final.

Photo @ Sweep Mount Submit

Joshua Stebbings Photography

Unfortunately, after securing a sweep in the final, my opponent got DQ’ed for reaping my knee. It is a terrible feeling to win that way and I wish we got to fight it out to the end, but that’s rules. I have no doubt Bernie and I will have many more battles to come and I’m looking forward to them. Huge respect for this little and super tough lady!

Photo @ Sweep Mount Submit

Gi was up next and this time around we had a 3 person division. I won my 1st fight by cross collar choke from mount and faced Sunny in the final, which I just managed to win by an advantage (4-4). It was one of the toughest and most exciting fights I have been in for a while, with our intensity going through the roof the entire 7 minutes. I am grateful I have competitors of such calibre to push me past my limits and lift the Australian standard of women’s BJJ.

Photo @ Sweep Mount Submit

Photo @ Sweep Mount Submit

Watching Lachie fight was a pleasure as he secured his 2nd gold in his gi weight division. He also picked up a silver in open weight the next day and fought the best I have ever seen him. Comps are much more fun with people you love by your side!

Disgusting :)

So that was my introduction to Pan Pacs at purple belt level and my last comp in Australia for a little while.

Only 2.5 weeks till I leave for LA, 3.5 weeks until Mundials and about 3.6 weeks till I eat ALL the tacos and drink ALL the beer.

Thank you to my sponsors MA1 Apparel and Absolute MMA & Conditioning and the tireless work and support from my coaches Thiago, Lachie and Simon. I am pretty lucky to be so well looked after.

Yes, my coach has a big head :)