Bruno Malfacine celebrates win with his Alliance team. Photo: Dan Rod
The 2013 World Championship from May 29 – June 2 is coming closer, and so is the registration deadline. As part of the 18 reasons to participate and support the event, I give you a rule that doesn’t only apply to competitors.
Reason #8: Strengthen your team through coaching, supporting and gaining points.
A great benefit of having the Mundials at the Long Beach Walter Pyramid is having close enough seats to the competition mats as a spectator. Whether you’re just shouting the time to your teammate, yelling for support of a friend or coaching your student, anyone can get within proximity to do so. Even though a competitor is alone in a Jiu-Jitsu match, it does not mean they can’t be helped.
Also regarding teamwork is the team trophy at the end of every IBJJF event. Accumulated points from competitors based on their rank and place on the podium will determine which team overall gains the trophy. So whether you are a black belt or not, gold or bronze, all the points help gain a lead for your team.
For the last five years, Alliance team has won the adult team trophy. Before that, Gracie Barra dominated the podium almost every year from 2002 until 2008. The presence of team trophies allows larger groups of people to work together towards a common goal, even if they’ve never trained on the same mats. All over the world people are part of affiliate teams who join forces under one banner giving the great Long Beach Pyramid its share of cheering, chants and color-coordinated seating sections. Whether you’re from Atos, Alliance, Gracie Elite, Gracie Barra, Brasa, Checkmat, GFTeam or any other name, having teams gives the competitor a motivation that goes beyond a gold around the neck but also a way to give back to their network of teammates and mentors.
Who do you think will take the trophy this year? Will Alliance continue its reign or will Gracie Barra take back the throne? Do you think Atos could take it this time with their growing team? Let us know.
And don’t forget to register for your chance to represent and make your team proud. Go here to register before May 21: www.ibjjf.org
