St. Albert residents need look no further than their own backyard for a taste of global athletic competition.
The True North Grappling Championship, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and submission grappling tournament, has been carving out its place on the international stage since its establishment in 2018.
The founders, St. Albert's Luke and Amy Harris, originally envisioned an event that would allow local practitioners to compete close to home and foster the sport's grassroots growth.
"The goal of the tournament is to give local Jiu-Jitsu practitioners the opportunity to compete close to home and to grow the sport at a grassroots level," said Luke Harris, a BJJ black belt and owner of Hayabusa Centre. As Jiu-Jitsu's popularity has soared globally, True North has been instrumental in its Canadian growth.
The recent event at Servus Place on June 24 and 25 drew 600 competitors and nearly a thousand spectators throughout the day. The age of competitors spanned from as young as five years old to adults, both amateur and professional athletes.
“Sixty-one different teams attended the event," said Harris, indicating the competition’s wide reach.
Over the course of the past six years, True North Grappling has morphed into an internationally recognized event, attracting athletes from all corners of the globe to St. Albert.
The tournament's appeal isn't confined to local competitors and its reputation has grown to entice international talent. In the last two competitions, a professional $5,000 Grand Prix was offered, won most recently by former Iranian three-time Olympic judoka, Javad Mahjoub, who now trains out of Montreal.
Despite this international recognition, the heart of the championship remains firmly rooted in the local community. A significant portion of the competitors are from Alberta-based gyms, with 78 students hailing from St. Albert's Hayabusa Training Centre.
Whether it was due to a boost from the hometown advantage, months of tireless training, or some combination of both, Hayabusa shone brightly, achieving top team results in the children's and adult's categories.
True North Grappling owes much of its success to its dedicated organizers, Harris said.
"This event continues to grow in popularity largely due to its incredible staff," said Harris.
With live streaming for those unable to attend and the best referees from Canada and Mexico, the championship has raised the standard for local sporting events. It also boasts an experienced medical team that ensures the well-being of all athletes.
“We have an incredible medical staff who wait mat-side and take great care of all of our competitors,” said Harris.
The next iteration of the tournament is already on the calendar, scheduled for September 30th at Servus Place’s GoAuto Arena. If it’s anything like previous championships, the autumn event will represent not just the passion of its founders, but the dedication of its teams and the relentless drive of its competitors.
"Jiu-Jitsu is the fastest growing sport in the world,” Harris said, adding“ it's great to play a role in its growth in Canada."
