The World Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship 2017 will be taking place in Long Beach, California from May 31st to June 4th.
As always, there will be a good contingent of UKBJJA athletes heading out to win some medals for the UK. In the run up to the competition, we will be profiling some of these athletes. Wish them luck!
Athlete Profile: Ashley Bendle
Tell us your name & nickname, if you have one?
Ashley Bendle
What’s your belt rank & division?
Purple belt, adult light feather weight -53.5kg
Where do you train & what team do you represent?
Chris Rees Academy, Swansea
What have been your main achievements/results/medals so far?
Purple belt British champion 2017, Naga elite Gi champion, Nogi European champion 2016
What got you into jiu jitsu? What do you get out of it?
I’ve been training since I was five years old when my parents put me and my brother into BJJ. Since then I fell in love with the sport and just enjoyed training and competing.
Is this your first time at the Worlds? Do you know who else is in your division? What have you been doing to prepare?
This is my second time going to the Worlds. I know a few of the other girls in my weight but I look forward to fighting them. I’ve been training everyday and doing strength and conditioning alongside BJJ. I also worked to improve my mentality and confidence for BJJ. I competed at the British open test this and to make sure I was ready for Worlds both physically and mentally.
What is your favourite position/technique? Be as (dis)honest as you like!
My favourite is probably a bow and arrow off the back.
What are your plans for after the worlds?
I haven’t currently got anything planned. I’ll just take a few weeks of more relaxed training and then look at the competitions towards the end of August before going back to university.
What advice would you give to somebody just starting to compete in BJJ?
Make sure you learn to enjoy it and if you ever choose to compete never put any pressure on yourself to win.
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