12/06/2026
Part Two - NZ Grappler Summer Nationals
One week later, we travelled to Auckland for another competition, this time involve Gi and no-Gi, as well as a rule-set we were familiar reducing confusion as to what positions provided points throughout the match. Dallas and Micah had familiar faces in their brackets, as well as some new challenges to overcome as well. Micah was first up in the Gi, and with 5 other competitors in the bracket, he was seeded into the quarters. Though giving up points for a takedown, Micah found some space to get an armbar finish. His semi-final match went much the same way – giving up points for a takedown. But changing things up, he got a sweep, then guard pass, then mount, and then found a submission offering and completed the match with a kimura. In his gold medal match, his opponent pulled guard and then got points for a sweep. Keeping his composure, Micah made a few attempts at the armbar until one stuck and secured the submission. Gold for Micah in his Gi bracket! With only 3 other athletes in his bracket, it would be a semi to a possible final for Dallas. His first match was against an athlete from Daredevil BJJ, one of the best competition teams around, and the first time Dallas has had a match against this opponent. (insert stuff here). In the gold medal match, Dallas was up against a familiar athlete, the same opponent from his competition earlier in the year. Knowing Dallas’ game, the opponent made it difficult for him. But both competitors would get distracted by the scorecard and timesheet – when one was checking the match time, it gave the other an opportunity to score points with a sweep. After a bit of ‘tit-for-tat’, Dallas would get top position and hold out for 11-4 points win. Gold for Dallas in the Gi!
With the boys doing no-Gi as well, it meant a long wait, and a long day, especially with Micah starting first at 9:30am but not having his no-Gi until 3:00pm! Before Micah hit the mats, Dallas had his no-Gi matches first. Again, with only 3 others in his bracket, it meant a straight semi to possible final. His first match involved Dallas playing to his strengths and securing a triangle to finish the match with a submission. In the gold medal match, he was up against his first opponent in the Gi. Dallas’ opponent was clued in to what Dallas was going to do, making it tough for Dallas to get going. For close to 3 minutes of the 4-minute match, Dallas was unable to find an opening against his opponent’s defence, keeping tight ‘double-unders’ against Dallas’ legs. Needing to be patient (not one of Dallas’ strong suits) Dallas bided his time until an opportunity presented itself, getting his legs through the defence and securing the triangle. Gold in the no-Gi for Dallas and double-gold on the day, with 3 of his 4 wins coming from the triangle choke! Micah eventually made it onto the mats for his no-Gi. Again, with 5 other athletes, Micah would be seeded into the quarters. His first match – blink and you’d miss it – involved an armbar straight from pulling guard within 12 seconds. At least this left him fresh for the semi-final which would go for the full 3 minutes. Both Micah and his competitor were feeling things out, with Micah being thrown down a few times as his opponent was pulling guard and looking to reverse, but couldn’t capitalise on this. It wasn’t long until Micah was able to get an ankle pick and keep his opponent on the ground to get the takedown points. Micah had further opportunities for points and submissions, but Micah would go through to the final after 2-0 points win. In his gold medal match, Micah was against an opponent who he had faced multiple times before – but this wasn’t going to be easy. Again, giving up points on the takedown, Micah would have the closed guard attempting to find a way through for a submission, but his opponent put up some strong defence. Trying to secure in a kimura, Micah put the opposing athlete out of their grove, off posture, and found room to secure a triangle, finishing the match with an armbar from the triangle. Gold in no-Gi and double-gold for Micah on the day! Leaving home before 6:30am to make it to the competition on time, and not getting home until after 6:30pm, double-gold for both boys made the long day worthwhile.
Thank you to everyone for your support and to Optimum Furniture (https://www.optimumfurniture.co.nz/) for their sponsorship. Only three months to go before SJJIF Worlds!
