On the mats with a master

Grappling guru and internationally respected Brazilian jiujitsu (BJJ) black belt Roberto ‘Cyborg’ Abreu was in Ennis last week to share his experience at a series of seminars.
‘Cyborg’ was visiting his protégé, John Eustace, the founder of Fightsports Clare, the BJJ club that trains out of Chapel Lane Community Centre.
One of the fastest-growing sports in the world, BJJ is a style of grappling that focuses on leverage and technique rather than power and athleticism to apply a variety of joint locks or choke holds. It is also considered one of the cornerstones of mixed martial arts (MMA) with a large crossover between the two sports.
Along with sharing some of his training secrets and techniques he has developed during his long and successful career in the top tier of competitive gi and no-gi grappling, Abreu also promoted a number of the Fightsports members. In what was a noteworthy occasion, Cyborg awarded six club members their blue belts. Craig Ryan, Emmet Lundy, Tommy King, Cian McDonnell, Sara Cory and Trina Campbell were the first Fightsports Clare students to achieve the grade which marks a big step in the evolution of a BJJ practitioner’s training life.
A number of other members also received promotions to lower belts.