Byron brothers Marley and Jarra Sherlock have returned victorious from the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Championships in California.
Jarra (16 years) won his final to take home the gold medal while Marley (13 years) couldn’t overcome his opponent, the two-times world champion, and had to be content with the silver medal in his top-level bout.
‘I am very proud of both boys’ effort,’ dad and tour organiser Lloyd Sherlock said.
The boys have been practising BJJ for just three years and had come a long way in the sport after showing plenty of early talent. But there has also been plenty of hard work behind their results, he said.
‘Each day the boys run up to the lighthouse and some days do two training sessions on top of that,’ said Lloyd.
BJJ is a martial art, combat sport, and a self-defence system that focuses on grappling and especially ground fighting.
The Brazilians added some capoeira moves to the traditional Japanese art of Judo, which added a whole lot of fluidity to the contest.
The brothers will be looking to add a few more wins to their formidable record when they compete in the spring edition of the BJJ Australian Open this Sunday (September 4), at the Cavanbah Sports Centre in Byron Bay.
The Sherlocks had so much fun in California they were ready to join the American circuit, Lloyd said.
‘The sport had also been a fantastic way for young boys to channel their energy.’
In future the family will combine holidays with international competitions. Already they are planning a trip back to England to coincide with an international competition.
The boys train with Brazilian born coach and BJJ black belt Daniel Almeida.
‘The boys would like to thank all the gyms in the northern rivers that they have rolled at over the past couple of years,’ Lloyd said.
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