Help for jiu-jitsu pair
A COUPLE of Far North grappling guns have been invited to one of the world’s biggest Brazilian jiu-jitsu tournaments next month, but need help getting there.
Brodie and Kyle Mayocchi train at Fusion Fight and Fitness Innisfail under their father Daryl.
The boys have already amassed a large number of accolades for their BJJ prowess, including gold medals at the Pan Pacific Jiu-Jitsu Championships in 2016 and at the World Youth Championships in Abu Dhabi this year. But before the Mayocchis head to Copa Podio, Fusion Fight and Fitness Innisfail will host the NQ Summer Cup this Saturday, December 8, at the Innisfail Showgrounds.
All proceeds from the tournament will be donated to help the Mayocchis compete at Copa Podio in January.
Fusion Fight and Fitness co-owner Jeska Maunder said going to Copa Podio would be a great experience for the pair.
“In the jiu-jitsu world there’s all different competitions and (Copa Podio) is invite-only,” she said.
“It’s one of the most – if not the most – presitigous inviteonly BJJ tournaments.”
Since taking over Fusion with her husband Garrett five years ago, Maunder said the number of kids in the sport locally had “tripled or even quadrupled in that time”.
“It’s about creating awareness so people realise how effective it is and how you don’t have to hurt the other person if you don’t want to – there’s no striking involved,” she said.