On Saturday, June 29th the IBJJF held the 2013 Rome International Open, with athletes from across Europe attending in the hopes of winning Gold. The very next day, the IBJJF would hold the 2013 European No-Gi (Submission Grappling) Championships.
Mike Thomas, of Paramount BJJ in Chester County PA, had a trip to Europe planned with his father for late June, and decided to compete in both events.
Coming off a double Gold performance at the NY Spring Open, the goal was for Mike to win 4 Gold medals in 2 days. To do so, he’d have to win his weight class AND the open (all weights) division in BOTH events. That means facing and defeating athletes 250lbs and bigger (Mike weighs 180lbs).
This is no easy task, the odds are against anyone doing this. But when setting goals it’s critical to set them high enough that the person must give everything they’ve got to reach them. So that even if they do not succeed, they’ve performed up to their ability. Which in the end, is most important.
First up was Rome, where Mike won all 4 matches in his weight class for Gold. In the open, a tactical error led to a loss by “advantage,” which is to say his opponent almost scored on him. The actual score was 0-0.
The best he could do now would be 3 Gold medals.
The following day Mike won all 5 matches to win Gold at the European No-Gi Championships. Next up he’d enter the Open weight division and attempt to go 3 for 4. After three more tough matches Mike won Gold in the Open weight, and finished the two-day event with 13 matches and… THREE GOLD MEDALS!
When you work hard for something, believe in yourself, and surround yourself with a coach and team of positive and self-less people, you can achieve things that others can only dream of. At Paramount BJJ, we have an entire school of amazing individuals accomplishing all sorts of goals– from Fitness and Weight-loss goals to Black Belt goals to International Championship goals.
If you’re in West Chester, Downingtown, or Exton, call 610-269-1127 to learn more about training with the #1 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA academy in Chester County, PA.