who went to the london open?

[barra-deadlift]

i didnt compete because ive had time off for work but i took my gf along just to watch my pals
what did people think of the quality?

 

[RobT]

The advanced divisions were great, and well organised.

I thought they could have made better use of the space they had though, and provided seating! £5 for spectators to get in, not to have anywhere to sit but a cold stone floor is hardly on. Also, all the stalls, spectator areas etc should have been sorted before people were let in.

I got there at 10am, and by 5.30pm I still hadn't fought, my division had only just started and I was in the 2nd bracket, last but one fight. So I left and didn't fight.

 

[FlameBoy]

I had a good day, I think the fact that there was no training mats has already been discussed on another forum - they would have been nice.

They def could have run 4 mats at a time. Instead of having one table in charge - my personal belief is that there should have been 4 mats and 4 weigh in stations - 4 sets of refs/judges and they should have been given their own weight and ability diovisions.

All run seperate apart from one announcer.

That said, I was pleased with my performance and have taken some good things away from a win and a loss - the loss was to the winner of my cat - who scored a takedown to the halfguard- 2 points. he subbed his next opp and then one the final by scoring 6 points.

People should definately have stickers that say 'My name is FLAMEBOY and I post on Sherdog and CageWarriors'

Well done to Urban Gorillas - great day - I hope they take away the learning points for the Seni next year -

anyone doing the London open?

 

[GuardGame]

How do you guys get to these tournaments in Europe? Is it cheap to travel to different countries just to compete?

Hell, its fuckin expensive for me to stay a couple nights in L.A watching and coaching my partners' fights, and then fighting the next day..Cost me like $360 including the cost of the tourney

But if I just drive up there and back the next day then it only costs me like $15 plus the cost of the tourney ($15 for food)

 

[RoyceGracieBJJ]

I competed in 2003 and had a similar experience to RobT. We had to be there at 9am, weighed in etc and my first fight was just before 6pm, it was a nightmare. Ended up gettin a bronze which was pretty good but I`m glad I never entered the absolute or I`d probably still be waiting on my match.

Thought after 3 years they would be a bit more organised. Is it still held in Battersea?

 

[barra-deadlift]

what weight was you robt?
i was gonna be in the 88 kg cateogry so i would probably still be there waiting if i had fought

 

[RobT]

-79kg.

It was meant to start at 4pm, but there had only been two fights by 5.30pm. In the first fight one guy had his nose bust open, and not only was the paramedic nowhere to be seen, but no-one had anything to wipe the blood up with.

 

[barra-deadlift]

well thats just sexy robt
i was with my pregnant gf so i left by about 3 because she was complaining