THREE members of Melksham jiu-jitsu school with a combined age of nearly 150 have won gold, silver and bronze medals in the International Brazilian Jiujitsu (IBJJ) European Open in Rome.
Head coach, Nick Hams, 47, won a Purple Belt, heavyweight silver medal; James Allan, 49, won a Purple Belt, super heavy gold medal and absolute gold medal; and Christopher Collins, 51, won a Purple Belt, medium weight, bronze medal. All three are all students at Gracie Barra jiu-jitsu school at Bowerhill and took part in the competition over the weekend of 28th October.
“To say they did well is an understatement!” says a spokesperson for the team. “With four medals, they have shown ‘age is nothing but a number’ and proved that life after 45 is full of excitement, new lessons, new journeys and winning acclaimed competitions at a worldwide level, if that’s your kind of thing!!
“Jiu-jitsu as a martial art is taking the world by storm, with more and more premium clubs popping up all over the place. You even have one on your door step, Gracie Barra Melksham with its sister schools in Frome, Yate and Salisbury. All offering a free seven-day free trial.
“Regardless of age or ability jiu-jitsu really is for everyone.”