1^st Warriors Grappling Academy Club

 Championships

In

Sport CombatSombo

This is the first time the Club has had held this event simply for the fact it has taken the British CombatSombo Association some years to get Insurance cover.

What is Sport CombatSombo? It is an extension of Sombo Wrestling the Jacket Wrestling Sport from Russia and as well as all the wrestling moves it also allows Punching and Kicking. It has taken some time for the BCSA to get insurance cover because Sambo Combat a World Championship sport is much more aggressive and dangerous, it allows full contact punches and kicks to the head and groin plus it allows punching to the head while on the floor. Martin Clarke the founder of CombatSombo has resisted going down the road of Sambo Combat as he doesn’t feel that it is a true sport but under pressure from his members he has adapted the sport and renamed it for the benefit of GB players. In his style Sport CombatSombo only strikes to the safety helmet are allowed, no strikes to the head while on the floor , no strikes to the groin, no joint strikes and all Coaches have to vetted by Martin himself this is what the Insurance company require.

Sport CombatSombo players wear Jacket, Shorts, Boots, Shin & Instep, MMA Gloves and Head guard

This being the first of its kind we only had a handful of entries which were divided into 2 sections Youths and Men. The men fought first in a competition which produced some excellent fighting and results. The final saw  John Clarke the Judo Club Coach was the favourite to win his first fight was against Roger Griffiths a South African who is in GB to join the British Army, Roger has had a lot of experience in Kick Boxing and in training had given John a bloody nose. 

So John known for his dynamic throwing and Roger for his powerful kicks and throws was to make this event one to watch.  The most unusual thing happened Rogers Kicks and Punches were ineffective as John got in close quick but Roger changed tact inn that he threw John twice for 4pts throws giving him a clear 8pt lead only needing one more 4pt throw to finish the match. The last time John was down such a large score was in the 2007 World Championships against the Russian World Champion he composed himself threw Roger for 4pts and took no chances and finished him with an arm lock. Roger goes in the Army in March and will be sadly missed but our loss is the British Armies gain.

JOHN & ROGER

The Youths Final was between 14 year old Ben Franks and 16 year old Ashley Jordon only 2 year age gap Ashley is considerably lighter. These two came storming out punches and kicks were every where, Courage at its best. The fight went in the favour Ben who threw Ashley but Ashley was crafty kept Ben on the ground and manoeuvred him into an arm lock to win the Competition.

Martin Teaches Sport CombatSombo on a Thursday at 7.30pm at the Swale Martial Arts Club. At the end of March there is all change as Sombo will move to a Monday with a new Junior session at 7pm studying Sombo Wrestling and 8pm a Senior session of the 3 styles of Sombo, Sombo Wrestling, Sport CombatSombo, CombatSombo.

More information from Martin Clarke 01795 437124, ibfbcsa@googlemail.com, www.sittingbourne.org