FaMA - Fitness and Martial Arts does not consider itself a martial arts gym primarily for martial arts competitors and fighters. We programme our curriculum to suit all practitioners. Our students range from corporates and stay-at-home mums looking for interesting ways to get fit, to go-getters and podium chasers who hope to have a shot at the world stage of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) or Muay Thai tournaments.
Every now and again, we see a small number of students step up for the first time to test their skills at local tournaments and amateur fights. For many of them, competition and fighting is not a means of creating a personal legacy that leads to world championships. Rather, it is a way for them to put their skills to test. It is always a rewarding experience to walk the journey with these first-timers. And while not everyone gets a medal, we celebrate their efforts to push themselves nonetheless!
So, how does it feel to transition from a relatively ‘safe’ and un-intimidating classroom environment, into the competition universe - where it is unpredictable, stressful, and where one move would determine whether you get to roll the next round, or not?
From training mats to ‘real life conditions’
Ever wondered why Professors constantly say, “Being a good partner means giving a good reaction to the person working the drill on you?” You might never understand this reasoning until you get your first taste of competition (or street fight - but let’s hope that doesn’t happen). In a competition match, both opponents are in it to win it, and will never ‘give’ you their arm, exposed neck, leg, or posture for you to execute a sweep, takedown, pass, or submission.
“Competing is a natural progression from training and sparring,” said Yann Kaczor, who competed for the first time at the Singapore BJJ Open in March. “You put into practice what you have learned and perfected with your profs, but in ‘real life conditions’, where competitors are willing to go all-in and use every available energy, strength, and technique to win."
Preparing for a competition also meant making changes to one’s usual training regime. What was once a regular weeknight exercise routine for most of our students, becomes a more intentional activity.
Joshua Lai, who first competed at the Singapore BJJ Open, shared the changes in his training with us.
“Once I started competing I knew I had to change my training regime and work on certain aspects of the game that I did not necessarily enjoy. That included things such as cardio, sprinting, and endurance running. I also changed my weight training methods from doing bodybuilding-style lifting, to a more functional strength and conditioning approach. The training frequency also increased significantly. I could not sit out of any rounds during sparring. There were days I did not feel like training, as I felt like I was missing out a lot in my social life, but I would push through since I was about to compete.”
His classmates Geena Ang and Kimberly Cordeiro, who competed in the Bushido Youth Grappling Championship and ADCC Singapore Open respectively, agreed that their approach to classes took a different turn as well the moment they decided to compete. For Geena, it was attending more classes and putting more of a conscious effort into her training rounds. Kimberly took this opportunity to ask the Professors more questions about techniques she was not sure about. She also dedicated some time before and after classes to drill with other female classmates who had former competition experience.
It is safe to say that being enrolled in a competition can do wonders to your training, because this is when you are forced to create better habits in class!
Fight or Flight - seconds before the match
In a recent interview with our Guest Instructor Rodrigo Teixeira, it was mentioned that competing can give you a plethora of nerves way before the moment of the match itself. True enough, our first time competitors were initiated into this “rollercoaster of emotions,” as Joshua describes it.
“There is the fear, the fear of the unknown,” he recalled.
People can react differently to competition stress. For Geena, in spite of months of training, every memory of training seemed to fly out of the window the moment she had to compete.
“My mind went blank!” she said, “I forgot what I was supposed to do.”
“It’s quite a stressful situation stepping onto the mat, even with the most confidence in your skills… the uncertainty in BJJ is great… with varying experience, exhaustion, stress, potential injuries, and errors, the outcomes are unpredictable,” Yann said.
“But one thing is for sure - when you start the fight, all this disappears. Time stops and every inch of you is here for the win.”
"I really love the feeling of time slowing down, everything moving in slow motion and the noise of the crowd fading away as I walk up to the mats and see my opponent on the other side,” Joshua added, "It's one of the scariest moments of my life before competing, but there is also the feeling of the calm before the storm.”
“You win or you learn"
This quote is often used as a cliche consolation to someone who has lost a match, whether said by others or by oneself. Yet, it is the truth. Our students agreed that they learned a lot about themselves through their first competition experience!
“I’m too nice,” said Yann.
“And I give absolutely no ****s about what people think of me,” added Kim.
For Joshua, competing revealed evidence of his grit. "The specific moment for me probably was in my semi-final match when I was up on points and I got caught in a leglock. For a brief moment the thought of tapping and just quitting crossed my mind. But looking at the scoreboard, seeing I was up on points I decided he can have my leg but he won't have his hand raised.”
Not all our students won their matches. Some lost on their first rounds, while others fell short by near margins in the finals. What makes us proud is their never-say-die attitude regardless of result: all four students are unanimously willing to give competition another shot when the opportunity calls for it.
Yann and Joshua wasted no time in joining the ADCC Singapore Open, where they walked away with a bronze and silver respectively. The gutsy Kim took the opportunity to quickly sign up for the ASJJF Saigon Open on 25 May, where she ended up winning two gold medals.
Yann has also reported his future competition plans to us. “I'm already registered for three categories for the next competition in June in Singapore. And I'm looking forward to more!”
Opponents, watch out!
FaMA - Fitness and Martial Arts Established in 2016, FaMA is a world-class martial arts training facility located in the heart of the Central Business District in Singapore. Walking distance from the Clarke Quay MRT station, FaMA’s main goal is to help people improve their lives through martial arts regardless of age or athletic capability. Each program is led by experts in their respective fields. Whether it is weight loss, a fun workout, camaraderie, competition training, or just to break a sweat, FaMA has something for everyone.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, or BJJ as it is commonly known around the world, is a self-defence martial art that enables a smaller, weaker person to protect themselves against a much larger attacker using leverage and pressure. Formed from Kodokan Judo in Japan, Jiu Jitsu found its way to Brazil in the 1910s through Mitsuyo Maeda, a Japanese judoka and no-holds-barred prize fighter. During his time in Brazil, Maeda accepted a young Carlos Gracie as his student. Carlos would later pass on his knowledge to his brothers, most notably Helio Gracie - the father of modern Brazilian Jiujitsu. The Gracie family would go on to spread BJJ through The Gracie Challenge and eventually the creation of Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Today, BJJ has grown to be more than just an effective unarmed fighting system. It helps young children deal with bullies and adults live a healthy lifestyle. BJJ classes are offered daily at FaMA under the tutelage of Black Belts Zoro Moreira, Robyn Goudy and Thiago Gaspary.
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