The Brazilian Jiujitsu Shilo Submission Showdown was hosted at CFB Shilo on June 15 with an 18-match grappling event. (Photo: K-J Millar/Shilo Stag News)
K-J Millar
Shilo Stag Media
The Shilo Submission Showdown Brazilian Jiujitsu (BJJ) competition, hosted at CFB Shilo, saw more than 300 athletes, coaches, cornermen, and spectators grapple for the advantage on June 15. The event raised just less than $800 for the Military Family Resource Centre.
“It was an electrifying event, with a capacity crowd, raising funds for the Military Family Resource Centre,” Joe O’Donnell, event organizer with the Shilo Brazilian Jiujitsu Club, said.
“The energy in the room was palpable, and it was a massive success on all fronts.”
O’Donnell said the 19-match evening held stand-out moments, such as the Five versus One Shark Tank match featuring coach Kevin Camara.
“That was the highlight. The spectators enjoyed watching him submit all five members of 1 RCHA, including myself, in under 10 minutes.”
O’Donnell described the match as “nothing short of extraordinary.”
“It was a fun and friendly match that showcased the strong bond and mutual respect between 2 PPCLI and 1 RCHA, who train together regularly.”
“The sense of community was truly remarkable. BJJ fosters a strong sense of community and shared suffering, which is magical and essential in today’s sedentary and isolated society,” O’Donnell said. “The camaraderie among the participants and the support from the spectators created an environment where everyone felt connected.”
Competitor Corporal Jordan Oakley said the discipline of Jiujitsu has improved his ability and confidence as a professional soldier.
“[It has] equipped me with the mental tools needed to thrive in a soldier’s environment. Jiujitsu is all about maintaining your composure while faced with a difficult position.”
“Jiujitsu, for me, has become much more than a fighting art used for controlled violence, it has become a form of moving mediation,” Oakley said.
O’Donnell said that, as with planning any occasion, there are always challenges to overcome when planning an event of such a large scale.
“One of the significant challenges was ensuring the safety and well-being of all participants, especially given the intense nature of the matches. Despite these hurdles, the teamwork and dedication of everyone involved made it all possible.”
Ensuring that everything ran smoothly from coordinating with competitors, changing the card due to injuries, to managing the set-up and flow of the events was no small feat, he explained.
The event organizer summarized the showdown results as
“-Shilo BJJ won 8 out of 11 matches.
– Camara’s Five vs. One shark tank match: Camara submitted all Five members in under 10 minutes.
– Troy Stanley (WAMMA Brandon) vs. Bergen Justice: Stanley won by submission.
– Travis Ratzlaff (Control BJJ) vs. Aaron Ilchyna: Ratzlaff won.
– Joe O’Donnell (Shilo BJJ) vs. Thom Britton (Balance BJJ): O’Donnell won by decision against a very intelligent player who didn’t give up an inch less the very start when he slipped on the mats.
– Travis Swindell (WAMMA Brandon/Shilo BJJ) vs. Dallas Penner (Rise): Swindell won by submission.
– Raina Rempel (Revelation MMA) vs. Bailey Harper (Balance): Rempel won by submission.
– Darrius Joof (Rise) vs. Feleep Suleman (Shilo BJJ) Joof won via decision.”