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A local athlete from Arlington, Virginia, has made waves on the international stage, securing a bronze medal at the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Championship. Beatrice Jin, a dedicated grappler from the small Kogaion Academy, achieved this remarkable feat while training in a modest one-room studio.
Jin, who has been training at Kogaion Academy for over five years, reflects on the relentless nature of the sport.
“Every time you think that you’re getting good, someone’s just going to beat you up, and you’re gonna realize that there’s more,” she told WTOP after a noon training session.
Most of Jin’s training partners are hobbyists using Brazilian jiu-jitsu as a means to stay fit while balancing their 9-to-5 jobs.
“My training partners are graduate students, one works for tech, one works for government contracts,” Jin said.
Despite this, she took her rigorous training regimen to the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) World Championship in Anaheim, California, where she clinched bronze in the brown belt division. Victor Ciocoiu, owner of Kogaion Academy, praised Jin’s dedication and resilience.
Jin’s achievement is particularly impressive given the limited resources of her training environment compared to larger schools in California, Texas, and Brazil. These institutions often have extensive support systems, including special training programs nutritionists, and students who have been practicing since childhood.
Nonetheless, Jin’s twice-a-day workouts, which include drills, sparring, weightlifting, and cardio, have propelled her to success. She has also medaled in several other prestigious BJJ “Grand Slam” tournaments this year.
Reflecting on her journey, Jin said,
“I really feel like it’s one of those projects in life that just like keeps offering more, the more you put into it.”
When competing, Jin aims for early submissions but adapts to the strategic nature of high-level bouts.
“I think like the perfect sequence is you sweep them for two points, pass for three points, knee on belly mount. And then take their back,” she explained, emphasizing the importance of positional dominance and strategic gameplay in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
Jin’s favorite submission techniques include the kneebar and the armbar, moves that can decisively end a match by forcing an opponent to tap out or risk severe injury.
“Brazilian jiu-jitsu is a very individual sport, even if your school has a curriculum, you’re gonna find your own style,” she said.
Beatrice Jin’s journey and achievements highlight the dedication and skill required to excel in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, proving that even athletes from smaller schools can achieve greatness on the world stage.
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