By Olivia Condous
Bacchus Marsh was represented at the Australian Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation National Titles earlier this year, with two locals bringing home a win.
Local residents and Phoenix Training Centre athletes Jesse Cole and Amanda Saliba both won their respective events.
The competition occurred over two days in February at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre in Albert Park, with more than 600 competitors from across the country.
Mr Cole said while the Brazlian jiu jitsu was an individual sport, he felt the support of the community behind him when he competed.
“Your trainers are there every day, they are the ones that get you there,
“You feel like you’ve helped your community and you’ve always got to be thankful to the people who are a part of that community.”
Ms Saliba, who is also the director of the Bacchus Marsh gym, has participated in the sport for seven years and said she felt lucky to have an “amazing” community at Phoenix Training Centre.
“We’re really lucky to have such an amazing group of people around us, to help us get bigger and better,” she said.
Both athletes were thankful to their coach, Wayne Ardley, who trains competitors at the gym.
“We do so much preparation in the training and Wayne puts in so much work into the coaching side, so when you actually see something come into fruition, you finally like it’s just come together,” Ms Saliba said.
