Gold and silver for jiu-jitsu fighters

Ennis Brazillian jiujitsu fighters put their club on the map last Sunday in bringing back gold and silver medals from the Northern Irish BJJ Open in Belfast, the largest tournament of its type in the area.
Fightsports Clare’s head trainer, John Eustace, took first place in the purple belt –80kg category, winning two fights. His opponent in the final was a former European champion having won at blue belt two years ago. Eustace won his first fight by Azamba choke and the final by points, 7-0.
Craig Ryan, who also trains out of the Chapel Lane gym, took silver in the white belt -94kg bracket putting in a powerful performance over three tough fights. After winning his first five-minute bout by head and arm choke, Ryan won the second on points after it went the distance. Due to a loophole in the competition’s structure his opponent got a bye straight to the final where the previous two fights caught up with the Ennis man.
The results will serve as an excellent primer for Eustace, who now has his sights set on the European championship in Portugal in two weeks where he will compete as part of the Irish team.