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Fitness

Gold at the New York Pro (Athlete Journal 42)

After winning gold last weekend, I’m feeling pretty confident as I get ready to head out to Masters Worlds this week.

James Kearns

Written by James Kearns Last updated on October 29, 2014

After winning gold in the heavyweight and absolute divisions this past weekend at the New York Pro, I’m feeling pretty good as I get ready to head out to Masters Worlds this week. 

I worked my game plan pretty well at the New York Pro. Unfortunately, out of the four matches that I had, only one of my opponents didn’t pull guard. Although I want to stand and work for the takedown, this has been something that I have been preparing for and I was ready. My passing was nice and my transitions flowed smoothly.

Working My Weaknesses

Even though I had a lot of success at the New York Pro, there are some things in my game that I still need to iron out this week. The biggest problem I ran into was the referees. Not that the referees were not doing a decent job seeing the matches, but that they were not understanding what exactly I was trying to do when I was in side control.

RELATED: When Referees Go Wrong: How to Handle Wrong Calls

For example, I got called for stalling on three separate occasions Saturday. In my first match, I was trying to set up a lapel choke from side control. Since I was pulling my opponent’s gi between his own body and the mat, the friction of the action, the weight of his body, and the transition of the grips made for a slow-developing set up. Although I was actively setting this up, the referee saw it as a lack of activity.

In my second match, I was setting up the same choke and a different referee called me for stalling. Then in my absolute finals match, I got called again. While I was in side control, I explained to him that I was working hard to set this up. It made no difference because he gave me a second stalling warning. In the end, it had no bearing on the outcome of the match, but it is still discouraging that something that I have been working hard on for the last two months will have to be re-evaluated for its effectiveness.

“I have no idea what to expect next week, but I do know there was absolutely nothing more that I could have done in preparation for the Masters World Championships.”

After the match I had a good conversation with the referee about what I was trying to accomplish and why he didn’t see it the same way. Keep in mind, this conversation was exactly that – a conversation. At no point in time will I intentionally show up a referee, no matter how bad I though the call was (and I have been on the wrong side of some absolutely awful calls). He simply stated that although I may be trying to improve my position or set something up, I need to move faster. I disagreed, thanked him for his explanation, shook his hand, and went on my way.

I Am Prepared

I may have to adjust that part of my game plan, but as far as my conditioning goes, absolutely nothing needs changed. I felt great all day long. At no time did I feel winded or tired, and I clearly had a large strength advantage in all of my matches. This week I will do one weightlifting day before heading out to California. On Monday, I will do some plyometrics, a barbell complex, and some core work. That will be my last strength and conditioning day of the week and of my program.

LEARN MORE: The Truth About Conditioning for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

I have no idea what to expect next week, but I do know there was absolutely nothing more that I could have done in preparation for the Masters World Championships. I have made a massive jump in skill as a BJJ practitioner because of it. Thanks to all who have helped me prepare for this.

Monday – Strength and Conditioning

  • Box Jumps 3×11
  • Oblique Push Ups 3×4
  • Plyo Pull Up 3×6
  • Barbell Complex @ 57.5kg
  • Hang Clean x5
  • Push Press x5
  • Front Squat x8
  • Row x8
  • Romanian Deadlift x8
  • Hanging Leg Raise

Monday – BJJ

Drilling, rolling at TCA

Tuesday – BJJ

Drilling, rolling at Daniel Beleza’s

Wednesday – BJJ

Drilling, rolling at TCA

Thursday – Strength and Conditioning

  • Box Jumps 3×11
  • Oblique Push Ups 3×4
  • Plyo Pull Up 3×6
  • Circuit x3:
  • Dumbbell Split Squat x15
  • Pull Up x15
  • Incline Push Up x15
  • Hammer Curl x15
  • Medicine Ball Push Up x15
  • Medicine Ball V-Sits @ 20 pounds 3×15,15, 15

Saturday – BJJ: IBJJF NY Pro

James Kearns is an active Brazilian jiu jitsu competitor and also trains and competes in Olympic weightlifting.Follow his journals here every week.

James Kearns

About James Kearns

James Kearns is a Brazilian jiu jitsu competitor and former United States Marine who began training martial arts in 2005. Starting in Taekwondo and boxing in his hometown of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, he would eventually begin training and competing in mixed martial arts. This is when James first started to train in no-gi jiu jitsu. Then, two and a half years ago, he reluctantly borrowed a gi and tried the Brazilian jiu jitsu class. James has trained in no other martial art since.

After successfully competing at the rank of blue belt for the last two years, earning six gold medals in IBJJF events and finishing the year with a gold medal in the Abu Dhabi Pro Trials adult division, James earned his purple belt in December 2013. Having set his goals high for 2014, he plans on competing six to eight times this year, including the IBJJF Masters World Championships.

Along with being an active BJJ competitor, James also trains and competes in Olympic weightlifting. Having a passion for the health and fitness industry, James is a certified personal trainer and the strength and conditioning coach at Tactical Combat Academy in Greencastle, Pennsylvania, where he focuses on individual and group program design for combat sport athletes. James is also a full time student, working on his B.S. in Sports Management.

Although training in Brazilian jiu jitsu and Olympic weightlifting, being a strength coach, and being in school keep James pretty busy, he still spends most of his time with his wife and four kids (who keep him even busier).

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