It was fun and excitement intertwined with education and competition as the Volta Regional branch of the Ghana Jiu Jitsu Federation staged their maiden seminar and championship on Easter weekend to formally take off in the region.
Held on the fringes of the sea at the Ocean Hotel, Kpasrakope Border Beach, the seminar which came off on Easter Saturday, 16 April saw 27 participants who were tutored the rudiments of the game before the combat tournament rocked the ocean setting two days later on Easter Monday.
In the event patronised by a host of dignitaries including the regional Jiu Jitsu President, Joyce Selorm A. Vodjogbe and a number of executives as well as the the Volta Regional NSA Sports Director, Daniel Sarpei and Sports Development Officer, David Sakyi, a total of 32 athletes competed in 4 categories which were ages 10 to 12 yrs, 14 to 15yrs, featherweight and lightweight.
National head coach, Maxwell Borquaye was also around to conduct and supervise both events.
Young Kelvin Drove emerged the winner in the 10-12 years division, beating Pius Agbeko into second place whilst Yao Ezekiel won the category 14-15yrs tournament with Solomon Akpavor finishing as runner-up.
In the featherweight division, Junior Essah took first position, followed by his brother, Frank Essah in second spot and Desmond Ahatsi in 3rd.
Chris B. Vincent meanwhile topped the lightweight category, Henry Awala took second spot and 3rd position went to Richie Anane.
“As the Regional coach, I am so happy and glad about the performance of my athletes, their dedication to training and the zeal they have put into this tournament shows that there are golden talents in the Volta Region that has to be unearthed,” said Paul Johnson Awa, Volta Regional head coach of course
“We hope that in our next tournaments people will come out to sponsor, so that the art can be expanded from district to district,” he prayed.
“I thank all the athletes for their stunning performance and also their parents for availing their children for training sessions and also the tournament,” Coach Awa added gratefully.
Other executives of the Volta Regional Jiu Jitsu Federation present aside the President, Madam Joyce Vodjogbe were Solomon Asante (Vice-President in charge of administration), Victor Ackom (Technical Director), Paul Johnson Awa (head coach), Alhassan Mohammed (PRO), Rashid Assatchi Abdul (treasurer), Georgia Hackman (medical) as well as the two NSA reps, Daniel Sarpei and David Sakyi.
More photos from the tournament below:
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