Kakuto Challenge - Sub Only Tourney

[Brandon Mccaghren]

We had an awesome time at the Kakuto Challenge Sub Only Tourney in Atlanta this weekend. Those guys run the best tournament around and always treat all of us with incredible respect. We love it there.

I was incredibly proud of our guys this weekend, probably more so than in any tournament I've ever had them at. We all learned some really important things about ourselves this weekend, both as competitors and in the bigger picture. We had some beginners take home Gold. We had some guys step back on the mat when they thought they had nothing left to give. Some that stepped up and fought above their head and did well.

Sam and I both came in with some pretty ugly injuries and tried to fight through them, Sam in Men's Advanced and myself in the Pro Division (note to self: when injured, do NOT accept pro invitation). Sam took home Silver despite his injury, and I was able to secure a few high fives from the other competitors. Not as good as the cash, but I'll live.

I was really proud of the 10th Planet representatives that weren't from Decatur, as well. Most notably Griff Lambert for winning Advanced and Chase Gatlin for winning Gold in the Advanced Absolute and at his weight, despite the fact that these guys are White and Blue Belts, respectively.

Great job, everybody. I'm incredibly proud.

[Brandon Mccaghren]

Sam's Final match in Men's Advanced. This was a draw, but still fun to watch. The guy with the fastest sub during bracket play got the Gold, so even though the Final was a draw Sam still took Silver. I thought it was a good format.

[Brandon Mccaghren]

Here's Matt Skaff in a long war in the Blue Belt division. One of my favorite matches of the day, even though it didn't go our way.

[Brandon Mccaghren]

Here's one of my matches from the Pro Division. I like to play for this 50/50 of the Granby Roll entry. I usually end up with the Heel Hook before it turns into 50/50, or they turn to run and I get the calf crush on the back door, which is what I did in the last tournament at Kakuto. It's probably a bad strategy, because I tend to tap way too early to leg locks out of fear of injury. But it's a fun way to play, so I keep doing it

Well, there's a reason it's called 50/50, kids... Enjoy my misery.

[Brandon Mccaghren]

Here's Manny Rocha in Teen Advanced against a fella from Gracie Barra. We've got Manny trying to work some other stuff (like his passing and top game) instead of just feeding people straight into his guard the whole match, so you get to see him work some other stuff here, and then ultimately finish from the guard with a Triangle and an Omaha Twist

[Cora Sek]

WOW what the heck is this Omaha twist? And how is it different from the regular triangle in term of effectiveness and choke? Thanks

[Brandon Mccaghren]

WOW what the heck is this Omaha twist? And how is it different from the regular triangle in term of effectiveness and choke? Thanks

Bruce, it's just an alternative way to help turn and secure the angle in a triangle choke. It's really nasty. I have a couple of guys here that do it and I know I've seen Ant Lopez and a few others do it several times. I have trouble getting deep enough. I don't know if it's that my arms aren't long enough or if perhaps I don't understand it deeply enough. Either way, I just hook the leg or go with the old school arm across/pull the head/lift my hips.

[Cora Sek]

thanks Brandon. Let see what the different is when Cora put it on me. But from what I can see, its really tight and automatically give you that windshield wipe effect with the legs.

[russell.neal1]

I was impressed with how everything was ran and how professional and friendly all the staff and volunteers were, most definetly a class act. Proud of all the guys from both Gulf Shores and Decatur, we did awesome! I look forward to the next Kakuto Challenge and the training camp.

[Tori Applegate]

Nice! Finally got to watch all of these matches. Very entertaining for sure. :-) good job guys!