Tacoma, WA, November 4th & 5th, 2017 – Revolution XXXV Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Tournament
As SBG celebrates the opening of new locations in Bigfork and Missoula, they sent twenty competitors to the Revolution Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Tournament in Tacoma, WA. This marked a special event for SBG’s teams in Montana as BJJ athletes from all four locations came together to compete and support each other in the event.
Head Coach Travis Davison opened the first location in Kalispell in 2008, and in that time he has opened other Montana locations and lead athletes to tournaments throughout the West.
Davison said of the tournament:
“SBG opened its first location in Montana 9 years ago this December. We are now in 4 different cities including Kalispell, Whitefish, Bigfork, and Missoula. This past weekend all 4 of our locations were represented at the Revolution Tournament in Tacoma, WA and had athletes earning Gold medals. In total we sent 20 competitors from Montana and earned 11 Gold medals, 7 Silver, and 4 Bronze!”
SBG Bigfork Head Coach Cody Bessette was one of the 20 competitors from Montana to take home 22 medals. Bessette, a blue belt, won Gold in the Master’s division, Gold in the Men’s Intermediate No-Gi, and Bronze in the Absolute Division.
Bessette trained at SBG Montana before opening the location in Bigfork. He praised his tribe’s admirable performance at the tournament.
“Our Tribe doesn’t just build top notch competitors. We build well-rounded, respectful people who are willing to step out of their comfort zone to better themselves through adversity. The competition was strong in Tacoma and I am looking forward to going back to represent SBG in the future.”
Coach Daniel DiStefano from SBG North in Whitefish prepared his students for the tournament, while training to compete himself. DiStefano shared of his experience:
“SBG consistently shows that our small-town Montana team builds elite competitors. I had been chomping at the bit to compete, and knowing that I prepare with such a talented team made it much easier to step on the mats and perform to my potential. It was fun to grab the gold, and I look forward to the next challenge.”
Team Results:
Paul Downing – Men’s White Belt – SBG North
Erik Lorona – Masters White Belt Gold & Beginner No-Gi Silver – SBG North
Daniel DiStefano – Masters Brown Belt Gold – SBG North
Owen Dodrill – Kids Grey Belt & Beginner No-Gi -SBG North
Tanner Downing – Beginner No-Gi Gold – SBG North
Bella Downing – Kids Yellow Belt & Intermediate No-Gi – SBG North
Hayden Knaurer – Kids Yellow Belt Gold & Intermediate No-Gi Gold – SBG North
Patrick Brooks – Men’s White Belt & Beginner No-Gi – SBG Montana
Sierra Benjamin – Women’s Blue Belt Silver – SBG Montana
Ricky Davison – Men’s Blue Belt & Men’s Intermediate No-Gi Gold – SBG Montana
Bryn Andersen – Kids Grey Belt & Beginner No-Gi Silver – SBG Montana
Angela Wieczorek – Women’s White Belt Silver & Women’s Beginner No-Gi Gold – SBG Missoula
Colton Wieczorek – Kids Yellow Belt & Intermediate Silver No-Gi – SBG Missoula
Lakoda Wieczorek – Kids Yellow Belt Gold & Intermediate No-Gi Gold – SBG Missoula
Cayden Wieczorek – Kids Yellow Belt Bronze & Intermediate No-Gi Silver – SBG Missoula
Kalijah Wieczorek – Kids Yellow Belt Bronze & Intermediate No-Gi Silver – SBG Missoula
Keara Wieczorek – Kids grey belt Bronze & Beginner No Gi – SBG Missoula
Cody Bessette – Masters Blue Belt Gold, Men’s Absolute Blue Belt Bronze, & Men’s Intermediate No-Gi Gold – SBG Bigfork