Sophie grapples to world-class trip
JUDO BACUP’S double judo Olympian Sophie Cox was delighted to win an all-expenses paid trip to compete in the UAE Pro Jiu Jitsu World Championships in Abu Dhabi in April.
The British National Pro Championships, held in the superb Sports Dock Centre at the University of East London, are part of the UAE JJF World Ranking and Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu Jitsu qualifying series. Fighting in the adult blue belt u-62k category, Sophie won gold, and then triumphed again in the open weight to clinch her chance at world glory.
Sophie said: “This was a really tough international competition and I faced quality opponents from Sweden, Greece and Poland as well as some top GB women. I had won at the European IBJJF Masters in Lisbon in January, but Saturday saw me returning to the adult bracket for the first time since 2012. I would need to prove that at 35 I could still sustain the intensity of elite contest against younger talented opponents. Even after three year of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu I am still relatively inexperienced, though obviously my judo pedigree is an advantage.
In all my five fights I completed an initial takedown, and then went on to dominate in the grappling.”
After a 7-0 victory in her weight category semi-final, Sophie, competing under Factory BJJ Stockport accreditation, came up against the favourite Klaudia Mitko (Zlomiarz team) from Poland, who had already convincingly won her first three bouts. Sophie got an early two point advantage with a drop shoulder takedown and then managed to get a submission with a kimura (shoulder) lock to win the gold medal. This qualified her for the open weight category.
“Although I had two tough opponents from Sweden and GB to overcome in the Absolute (open weight), I was certain that in the final I would again come up against Klaudia. I was right, and I also knew that only the winner would get sponsorship for the Abu Dhabi World Championships. So this was a real crunch match. There was a gladiatorial atmosphere for the final, with team Poland giving strong verbal support. Once again I was successful with a judo takedown for a two point score, and then the contest developed into a bruising grappling encounter. By being patient, I was able to secure and keep pressure on my opponent throughout the fight. That two point takedown was the only score, and it won me the gold medal, championship title, and sponsorship for the world Championships.
“This was an exhausting, challenging and ultimately rewarding competition. I’m looking forward to the World Championships and to know that I could just grapple my way to a world gold medal.”