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: Sean Cotes
Tell us your name & nickname, if you have one?
Sean Cotes
What’s your belt rank & division?
Purple belt under Victor Estima. Middle heavy Adult.
Where do you train & what team do you represent?
I train at Gracie Barra Nottingham and represent Gracie Barra.
What have been your main achievements/results/medals so far?
2 x Worlds Bronze (blue and purple)
Euros Silver (purple)
5 x British Champion (twice double gold)
ADCC pro UK champion
Multiple times IBJJF and UAEJJF double gold winner.
What got you into jiu jitsu? What do you get out of it?
I Started training traditional martial arts then heard of the UFC and became interested in grappling in general. I met Victor at a seminar then started training from then on. I really enjoy the self improvement aspect of it, getting better every week. Also I enjoy rolling and just clearing my mind as I don’t think about anything.
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 4th time at the Worlds. Not sure who will be in my division but I’m sure there will be lots of tough guys. To prepare I have been training hard as always.
What is your favourite position/technique? Be as (dis)honest as you like!
My favourite technique is the one which I can get at the time. No preference. If a position I am terrible at helps me win the Worlds, then that will become my favourite position ever.
What are your plans for after the worlds?
My plans are to win double gold at the Worlds then eat four XL sized stuffed crust pizzas along with 15 pints of lager and 5 more pints of cider!
What advice would you give to somebody just starting to compete in BJJ?
Just dive straight in. Don’t think about it too much. Try to enjoy it as much as you can and analyse what happened after and use it to improve.
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