Melton mother of three, Tegan Hall, has her eyes set on the world stage.
Hall was only introduced to the world of jiu jitsu just two years ago and was promoted to blue belt in April.
Since then she has participated in New South Wales, Victorian, Queensland and National competitions taking home a range of medals.
In New South Wales she won a gold medal, in Victoria she took home four golds, two gold medals and a bronze in Queensland, and a bronze, silver and gold at the Nationals. Seeing her as the second best female blue belt in Australia and the best in her weight division.
Now, Hall is getting ready to participate in one of the biggest tournaments of her career, the Pan Pacific Championships in October. The ‘pan pacs’ incorporate all of Oceania and are run by the International Federation of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
“It’s one of the biggest ones for us,” Hall said.
“I want to eventually do worlds, probably next year in masters.
“Combat jiu jitsu is another goal of mine… it’s pretty cool, it’s a new thing. You can whack each other with just open hand strikes.”
Hall’s love of martial arts came from her husband who is a black belt and a retired professional mixed martial arts fighter.
“I love how it’s self defence it makes me feel powerful, I feel good knowing I could defend myself if I had to,” Hall said.
“The discipline of the sport, it’s so respectful it doesn’t matter about your size jiu jitsu is all about technique.
“It teaches confidence and mentality, like figuring out how to get out of situations. I feel like it’s a human chess game.”
Hall is on a mission to recruit more Australian females to the sport, trying to break down the stigma martial arts can have.
“I think the sport doesn’t have much recognition in Australia but I think it teaches a lot of discipline and respect,” she said.
“A lot of women are a bit nervous to try it because it is a contact, body on body sport, and sometimes they don’t want to be with men.
“[It’s about] showing women it doesn’t matter how old you are, or just because you’re a mum doesn’t mean life stops.”
Hall will be in action on October 27, 28 and 29, where she hopes to continue on the pursuit of her goals.
Harper Sercombe
