Success continues for Kombat Jiu Jitsu!

THE success story of Kombat Jiu Jitsu just keeps continuing as medal after medal rows into the Derry club. 

Fresh from glory in Vegas at the IBJJF World Master Championships just back in September, there were further honours in both the Irish BJJ Open and Empire in Belfast. If that is not enough, owner and coach of the club Ciaran McFadden was presented with the Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu - an unbelievable achievement. Making the presentation recently were John McAteer and Stephen Coll with the blessing and approval of Master Rilion Gracie in Miami. Ciaran made his first step onto the mats 16 years ago and has made serious progress up the ranks and now has that coveted Black Belt. 

Speaking on the the recent achievement McFadden said: “I have been Brown Belt now for seven years and I’m so proud and honoured to be promoted to Black Belt after all these years.

“I have coached so many people in Jiu Jitsu and MMA. I also had the pleasure to coach my sister Catherine to win the clubs first IBJJF World Gold medal in Las Vegas.”

Losing his father when he was just nine years of age McFadden added:  “I’d like to dedicate my Black Belt to my late father Jimmy.” 

He made his debut in the Black Belt at the recent Irish Open held at the National Stadium in Dublin and made it the perfect start, winning double Gold in Gi Open class and M1 Gi Division. Just like they had in Vegas, his sister Catherine was also in top form and also took home double Gold in the Purple Belt in the No Gi Division and Ni Gi Open class. 

That alone is a huge achievement but Ciaran is not only a quality individual in the sport but a superb coach and he has put together a fantastic team at the club. A team of nine traveled altogether and in total they brought home 13 medals - 5 Gold, 6 Silver and 2 Bronze. 

Matthew Friel in the Purple Belt Gi Devision took Silver, Gavin Carlin in the Purple Belt Gi Devision also claimed silver and Aaron McLaughlin in the Blue Belt Gi Devision taking home a silver medal. 

Steven Cook took Gold and Silver in Blue Belt, the Gold in the No Gi and the Silver in the Gi Division. Also in the Blue Belt, Nicole Murray took a Silver and a Bronze and Sean Turner claimed Bronze in the White Belt and Jake Quinnell a Silver in the White Belt Gi division. A superb return from the highest possible competition in Ireland. 

At the weekend it continued with another eight medals coming home with five competitors involved in Belfast. Again Matthew Friel was among the winners, claiming a double Gold and also taking home double Gold was Cathal Browne. Sean Turner made it Gold number five while Ronan Cody took Silver and Pete Downey took Silver and Bronze. Friel will now set his focus on Rome and the IBJF Europeans. A number of the team will also be heading to Paris to the Europeans in January representing Derry and the Kombat club. 

No doubt the club is growing and growing with all ages coming from near and far and it is not only the numbers that are growing but success after success also. A new fundamental six week course  has just began and anyone that would like to learn more about Jiu Jitsu or get involved Ciaran would be delighted to see or hear from you. 

“I’m immensely proud of our team achievements. The future is so bright,” said Ciaran McFadden.