Oh Boy...!

[Rachael Kaulig]

So a little back story first. Since there are less women in jj, there are less brackets for competition...makes sense, right? Instead of a tourney having 8-9 weight classes like the guys, we get usually 3. (upto 136, 136.1-158, and 158.1 and over, or something close to that). This goes for skill too. Instead of Novice, Beg, Inter, Advan, and Masters, we get Beginner and Advance.

With all of this being said alot of times we get combined.

So on to my story...

I thought I have atleast one competitor for this weekend but she couldn't make weight so she changed her weight by two pounds which bumped her into the higher bracket. Which now gives me noone in my bracket. I was called tonight and ask if I:

1. want a refund
2. want to "take first" in my bracket (with out competing) and automatically qualify for the absolute
3. bump up to the higher weight bracket.

I figured I would bumped to the higher weight bracket because it will give me more rolls, even if the girls are a LITTLE heavier. Yes, a LITTLE heavier.

The guy then told me one of the girls weighs 209 pounds. Yep TWO-HUNDRED and NINE POUNDS!!

[David Rosado]

DAYUM! IDK study how Marcelo deals with heavier guys. Good luck Rachael.

[Vincent Viglione]

That's a bit obnoxious. I would honestly consider rolling in the men's bracket. I was just thinking about how ridiculous out of balance the gender turnout is for BJJ the other day. Cheers to you for putting up with it.

[sean applegate]

yep, i have a group of girls (my wife included) competing this weekend and they are dealing with the same stuff. if i were you, i would just fight up. if you lose, you learn. if you win, you learn...so either way, its a positive experience

[Isaac Atley]

yeah thats crap. were u considering fighting in the absolutes? cos it sounds like moving up to the higher weightclass would be pretty much the same thing. i say go for it, if u lose then it was good for experience and if u win then thats awesome.

there is only winning in learning

good luck

[Eddie Bravo]

What division do you usually compete at?

[Amber Kamischke]

I totally know how you feel. My first tournament there was no one in my weight class so NAGA bumped me up to the next one (135-160) when I weighed in at 132. It wasn't until I got taken down that I noticed this girl is much heavier than me! Since then I have made sure to tell them that I would rather compete at a higher skill level rather than a higher weight. If I were you I would take the win so that you can compete in absolute (which is basically what you would be doing going up a weight class anyway) or go up to advanced if you're currently in beginner. I have even considered going with the guys in my weight class if the tournament would allow it. It is really frustrating not having people to compete against but at least the tournament gave you options. The ones here in the Midwest don't do that.

[John Mejia]

I totally know how you feel. My first tournament there was no one in my weight class so NAGA bumped me up to the next one (135-160) when I weighed in at 132. It wasn't until I got taken down that I noticed this girl is much heavier than me! Since then I have made sure to tell them that I would rather compete at a higher skill level rather than a higher weight. If I were you I would take the win so that you can compete in absolute (which is basically what you would be doing going up a weight class anyway) or go up to advanced if you're currently in beginner. I have even considered going with the guys in my weight class if the tournament would allow it. It is really frustrating not having people to compete against but at least the tournament gave you options. The ones here in the Midwest don't do that.

I was gonna say hopefully bed can shed some light on this... But she already did!

[Rachael Kaulig]

What division do you usually compete at?

I am Beginner, Class B, (the 136-158-ish). I usually weigh in right around 150-152 on comp day. I am 5'9", 17.5%BF - which is lean for a female. (I always post my height when I talk about my weight, I didn't want anyone to think I am a 4 and a half foot umpa lumpa.)

There are like 5 chicks in Class A but there is no way I could get under 136. I know alot of guys cut weight for fights and shit but yikes!

[Rachael Kaulig]

I totally know how you feel. My first tournament there was no one in my weight class so NAGA bumped me up to the next one (135-160) when I weighed in at 132. It wasn't until I got taken down that I noticed this girl is much heavier than me! Since then I have made sure to tell them that I would rather compete at a higher skill level rather than a higher weight. If I were you I would take the win so that you can compete in absolute (which is basically what you would be doing going up a weight class anyway) or go up to advanced if you're currently in beginner. I have even considered going with the guys in my weight class if the tournament would allow it. It is really frustrating not having people to compete against but at least the tournament gave you options. The ones here in the Midwest don't do that.

I have seen girls roll with guys around here, but it's usually the Advance women who tend to do it. I also have heard some douchebag stories about guys at tournies when it come to competing against girls. 99 percent of my rolls while training are with guys, but these are my partners...I trust them not to be douches and be out to hurt me.