Silver success at the ADCC National Championships
- Borderlands Grappling
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
The mats in Coventry were home to some of the highest-level grappling in the country this past weekend, and Borderlands Grappling was right in the thick of it.
On April 25th, Coach Owain stepped onto the big stage at the ADCC National Championship, putting his skills to the test in one of the most prestigious and challenging environments in the sport.
The road to the podium
Owain’s day started with a statement victory. In his opening match, he showcased the technical precision we see every day at the academy, securing a lightning-fast Kimura lock to advance through to the finals.
The final was a different beast—a back-and-forth tactical battle that pushed both athletes to their limits. Despite a dominant effort, Owain was caught in a late armbar, ending the match in a tough loss, walking away with silver on the podium.
We also want to give a huge shout-out to the Borderlands students who made the trip to Coventry. Having teammates in the stands makes a world of difference, and their support truly embodies the community spirit of our club.
What makes the ADCC Nationals different?
For those who aren’t familiar, ADCC (Abu Dhabi Combat Club) is widely considered as one of the top competitive grappling organisations in the world. Unlike many other tournaments, the ADCC format is designed to favor aggressive, submission-oriented grappling.
How ADCC works:
The scoring system: ADCC matches are split into two halves. The first half is usually "sub-only" (no points), where athletes can work for finishes without worrying about the scoreboard. In the second half, points become active for takedowns, sweeps, and passes.
The penalty for pulling guard: ADCC is famous for penalizing athletes who "pull guard" (sitting down to the floor). If you don't initiate a takedown, you can be hit with negative points, forcing a heavy emphasis on wrestling and standing exchanges.
Tournament style: It is a strict single-elimination bracket. One mistake can end your day, making the mental pressure as intense as the physical demands.
Competing at this level is a massive achievement in itself. Taking home a silver medal against some of the best in the UK is a testament to the hard work happening on our mats.
Inspired to test yourself? See you at training!
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