I had arrived in LA on Wednesday 29th, and took a sleepy drive down to San Marcos in San Diego to visit my aunt Stacie and uncle Eddi who were letting me stay for the week I was there. It's always great to see them as they are so much fun to be around. It was the first year since 1982 that I had been there for Halloween.
We dressed up and visited the school where my aunt works as all the teachers had costume and cake competitions. My aunt won both! I could feel a winning weekend coming on.
On Halloween night we went to a friends house and enjoyed some Mac and cheese and corn bread. My weight was really low that morning, 54.6kg and I had plenty of room to fill myself with energy food. I fell in love with cornbread! I remember having corn dog's when I was younger, dipped in mustard and ketchup. I wouldn't dream of having that now.
Halloween was a lot of fun, especially trick or treating. Everyone was trying to tempt me with candy, but I've got so used to saying no to it, another day doesn't matter. The best part was visiting a lady's house who completely transformed every part of her home in to a Haunted House. Only in America would that happen!
I had a great nights sleep and woke up fresh for the day.
We took a drive up to Long Beach, checked in and found my other Carlson Gracie team mates. It wasn't long before it was time to warm up. I watched the first fight in my bracket to see who would win. Marcia from Hawaii was my first opponent.
As I went through the bull pit, then the Gi check, then the weigh in area, my nerves kicked in BIG style!! My stomach was in knots and hurt so much! The only way I could calm myself down was to breath in and hum my breath out.
I was up next and Marcia from Hawaii was my first opponent. I looked up at my uncle Eddi, gave him the thumbs up and went on the mats. After shaking hands, she quickly pulled guard and almost got an arm bar. My elbow wasn't in the danger zone, so although it looked bad to my team mates, I got out of it. The fight was great and a lot of fun. I noticed that I was really calm and collected and my muscle memory from the drills we do in class took over.
The fight went the full distance and I won 11-2.
My next match was with Chanda. We were in the same division last year and Chanda came third. Although I came second last year, I hadn't come all the way to LA to mirror the same result. Chanda was tough, probably my toughest fight of the day. She had the most amazing grips that I just couldn't break. The fight started when Chanda went for a leg vine take down, the same technique Simon Hayes taught a few days before, so I was prepared and sprawled my legs away from it. She pulled guard and I really had my work cut out, but I managed to pass the guard and secure the 3 points. I must confess, I played a really safe game as I wanted to win so much. I could hear my friend Kirsty shouting at me from the side "Go on Jolie, you can do it!!" That helped massively and felt like I had some great support.
The fight cost me 2 penalties, but it was worth it for the title of Master 2 Blue belt feather weight World Champion and I won the fight with 3 points and 2 penalties.
With Kirsty Fright - UK Ladies doing well at the Worlds
My family and team mates were over the moon. Dickie Martin from Carlson Gracie London congratulated me, and that always means a lot to me when black belt instructors tell me I've done well.
Later that day I competed in the open class. They mixed the weights really well and I got the heavier girls. The first lady I fought was really aggressive and played a little dirty. I don't actually mind this as it gives me a little fire in my belly. She was inside my guard and was pushing her hand on my boob so much that it was about to fall out! I've never had any embarrassing moments on the mat, and I didn't want it to start now. I went for the sweep, and mounted her from the top, then from the back, and in the last 30 seconds I caught her with a bow and arrow choke.
I could see my uncle in the stand and he was smiling from ear to ear. He was so pleased, as I was too.
My next fight was the semi final and I was matched with a lady called Christy to compete with. She had already won her first match. I pulled guard and from there on it was a battle. It was the most fun on the mats I have had for a long time. Thats what the great thing is about the open class, there is no pressure and nothing to lose. I thought that I should have got two points for a sweep as Christy was on my back and I pulled her down to get the top position, but I later found out that some referee's give the points and some don't. Christy also should have got two points for a takedown, but I think it was just outside the area. Christy won by 1 advantage. So close, and so much fun.
Kendra receiving her Purple belt on the podium
When the day was over, I got changed, then met Eddi and Stacie by the doors. I burst in to tears as the emotions of the day completely took over. What a day! I can safely say it's the best day of my life so far.
Post competition dinner with Eddi & Stacie in Long Beach
Proud athlete
The next few days were all about chilling out and enjoying family time. We went to San diego to meet my cousin Evan and have lunch on Coronado.
I got my groove on again by Tuesday and the feeling of being run over by a big yellow American school bus had passed and I did a little touring around LA. I went to Griffith Park, something I've always wanted to do, then drove down Melrose and stopped in the Burton shop for some snowboarding gear. I went along to Santa Monica, then down to Venice where I stopped and walked around, enjoyed the beach and the craziness of the place.
Venice Beach
I gave myself a good 2 hours to get to Costa Mesa, and I'm glad I did because it took me that long in the ridiculous LA traffic. I really wanted to do some training and chose the Art of Jiu Jitsu. I had read their code of conduct for visitors and already knew of their strict rules. I was happy to oblige.
I arrived in the huge white painted gym, had my photo taken and changed in to my fresh white Gi. It was a present to myself for doing so well at the World Masters competition.
I was greeted by a lovely Brazilian lady called Thais. She thought I had just joined up, but I told her that I was just a visiting guest. I recognised her, then found out that she was weighing in all the athletes at the competition that past weekend. Small world! She became my training partner for the evening.
Guilherme Mendes took the class. I knew he was small, but he was actually tiny. We warmed up for a few minutes, then partnered up to drill a takedown set up. We drilled 2 more techniques for about 10 minutes each, then sparred for the rest of the class. I was so impressed with what I learnt, and not disappointed to know that at Carlson Gracie, we train as hard as AOJ do too.
I really wanted a photo with Gui, but I didn't want to be another tourist BJJ-er. So I took a photo of some Carlson Gracie History that I found amongst the medal decorated walls of the gym.
I was going to go back the next morning for another class, but my plans had changed and spent the day hanging out with my uncle Eddi.
I've made a lot of friends through Jiu Jitsu. This trip being one of them. I loved my trip to America and the Worlds, it has been the most uplifting time of my life.
Now here for the food:
No Corn Paleo Cornbread
Ingredients:
1/2 Cup of Almond Flour
1/4 Cup of Coconut Flour
1/2 Tsp of sea salt
1/2 Tsp Baking Powder
3 Eggs
2 Tbsp of Olive Oil
2 Tbsp of Melted Coconut oil
2 Tbsp of Honey
1/2 Cup of unsweetened Almond milk
Method:
Pre heat the oven to 180 Degrees C
Line a 8x8 baking tin with a sheet of baking paper.
Mix all of the dry ingredients together in a mixing bowl, then add all of the wet ingredients using a hand whisk.
Pour the batter in the tin and bake for 25-30 minutes. Check by piercing with a tooth pick that the centre is cooked through and the tooth pick comes out clean.
Cool on a rack for 5 minutes, then cut in to squares and enjoy warm.
Enjoy!!
Jolie x
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