Saturday, May 30, 2015

Local Jiu Jitsu champion competing at world level

Kildare-born Jiu Jitsu Champion Joey Breslin is competing this weekend in the World Jiu Jitsu Championships at Long Beach, California, writes Brian Byrne.

The 24-year-old, son of Joseph and Beth from Fontstown and educated in Athgarvan and the Patricians in Newbridge, has been competing at Featherweight Purple Belt level for four years, and is hoping to move up a competitive grade after the weekend's event.

Joey is a grandson of Nora Breslin of Brannockstown, and has many Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) titles and over 100 verifiable matches under his belt. He is a three times Irish National Champion and twice British Champion and has competed at the highest level in elite competition in Ireland, England, Europe and America.

He coaches the Intro BJJ classes at the Straight Blast Gym City Centre in Dublin, which specialises in Wrestling and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Prior to his World Championship attempts this week, he been in Nevada helping his teammate Conor McGregor prepare for a July 11 bout with the Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC) Featherweight Champion, the Brazilian Jose 'Scarface' Aldo, in Las Vegas.