Judo players adapt for jujitsu win

IPSWICH Central Judo School competitors proved they are willing to adjust quickly by winning six medals at the recent Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu State Championships in Brisbane.

Luke Maczyszyn won a gold and a silver, Sam Landy collected two bronze and Logan Spark was rewarded with two gold medals.

Maczyszyn won the No-Gi under-70kg novice division and attained silver in the same weight division for Gi competition. Competitors wear different fighting gear in No-Gi and Gi bouts.

Landy won bronze medals in the Gi and No-Gi under-60kg novice division.

Spark’s gold medals were in the under-10 orange belt class and for winning the overall under-10 title.

Apart from being relative newcomers to competition, the trio demonstrated an ability to modify judo techniques into the popular jujutsi competition format.

“We’re only a small club,” coach Shannon Landy said.

“We’ve branched away from judo into the jujitsu, which is what this (competition) was and adapted our style.

“Brazilian jiu-jitsu is just taking over the world. It’s a massive craze at the moment and judo is unfortunately slowly phasing out.

“That’s why we’ve transitioned over into those competitions and the guys have really adapted well.”

Landy is a black belt in judo, having trained in the sport for more than a decade.

He’s keen to help families learn a hybrid of judo and jujitsu in Ipswich, having spent the past five years studying the more popular discipline.

“Our main focus is grappling, takedowns, wrestling,” Woodend-based Landy said.

“We’re a non-striking sort of martial art and the parents see that and the kids can come along and have fun without physically hitting each other.

“The other thing is I’ve adapted my style to take into account bullying. If it comes to the crunch, these guys can defend themselves without having to hit another child.”

Landy was proud of how Maczyszyn, the coach’s younger brother and Spark performed.

“The fact it’s only the guys’ second or third competition and stepping into the state titles and getting even a placing is an achievement on its own,” the coach said.

“They’ve been training hard, showing dedication and an interest in the sport.”

Ipswich Central Judo School students train with the non-profit club on Wednesday nights and Sunday afternoons at the Trades Union Hall in Bell Street.