Medal haul at national titles

Published 5:00am 29 September 2023

A Burpengary East fitness centre is celebrating gold and silver at the Australian Federation of Brazilian Jui Jitsu National Championships.

Todd's Personal Training Studio sent a team of adults and - for the first time – juniors to the national titles in Melbourne last month.

Gary Porter led the way with double gold, winning the purple belt lightweight division to take him up to second in the national rankings.

Porter, who coaches at Todd's and recently won a major Sunshine Coast competition, is now chasing ranking points in a bid to claim top spot this year.

“Gary smashed it,” said studio owner Todd Sparreboom, who was “happy” to make the podium in four divisions, including two open weights, in his first black belt national event and is now ranked seven in Australia.

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Max Vandermeer, also from Burpengary, won the Gi division gold for a second time in his last juvenile event before turning 18 next year and moving into the adult competition.

Of Todd’s younger entrants, two of the four won silver medals from a competition with a total of 2000 entrants and more than 4000 spectators each day.

Noah in the 14 Years -56.5kg grey belt division where he brought home is first silver medal.

The youngster started Brazilian Jui Jitsu less than a year ago and said going to national was a “great experience” He added “stepping onto the mat was something I’ll never forget”.

Primrose Johnson matched Noah with silver in the Girls 8 Years -36kg division having trained four or five days a week in preparation.

Todd said she knew it would be challenging in Melbourne but is already planning for 2024 and aiming for gold.

Darius “learned a lot” in the 9 Years -33.2kg grey belt division and though losing his first match, said it was “fun” and he thanked coach Max for helping him.

In his third competition, Rohan had a tough match in the 8 Years -27kg grey belt section and said: “I did my best and I like learning and getting better”.

Todds Personal Training Studio is in Coolendel Ct, Burpengary.