Chilliwack’s Brandyn Chappell scored a huge gold medal win at the fourth annual Pan Kids Jiu-Jitsu Championship, held last weekend in Carson, CA.
The event took place on the campus of California State University, Dominguez Hills, sanctioned by the IBJJF (International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation).
Around 500 competitors from across the United States and Canada made the trip, ranging in age from four to 15.
Chappell, 14, fought one match against a youth from the San Francisco area. He took control right away, trying several simple collar choke holds.
The turning point came when he executed a sweep to go from under his opponent to the top. That move earned him six points — two for the sweep and four for attaining mount position.
In the closing seconds the teenager unsuccessfully tried arm bar and collar chokes. Chappell ended up winning on points.
“We wanted Brandyn to gain some good international experience as this is his last year as a youth,” said dad Harley Chappell. “Next year he will compete as a juvenile at adult tournaments.”
The Chappell family owns Pacific Top Team Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Chilliwack, and that is where Brandyn trains alongside Harley and two younger brothers.
The Vedder middle school student has been doing this for six years and has collected hardware from local tournaments.
In November he won double gold at the BC Championships at BCIT. In January, he won gold at another tourney.
