Tohatchi fighter places first in Jiu Jitsu NM Showdown
Mike Mitchell of Tohatchi, N.M. placed first at the Jiu Jitsu New Mexico National Showdown in Rio Rancho, N.M. over the weekend. (Courtesy photo)
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Mike Mitchell of Tohatchi, N.M. placed first at the Jiu Jitsu New Mexico National Showdown in Rio Rancho, N.M. over the weekend. (Courtesy photo)
Alongside his academics and musical interests Tohatchi native Mike Mitchell also strives to be great at Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and this past weekend his efforts paid off when he walked away with a first place win at the New Mexico National Showdown in Rio Rancho, N.M.
Mitchell, 16, took home a gold medal for placing first in his division of Teen Boys Brazilian Jiu Jitsu when he defeated two opponent’s by scoring two points in each match.
The New Mexico National Showdown, a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, submission grappling and wrestling competition hosted by Fight To Win Promotions was held at the Santa Ana Star Center on Jan. 17.
“We had about 1100 competitors all together from 15 different states,” said Fight To Win Promoter Seth Daniels.
“We really expect the competitors to go out and be respectful, have a good attitude and put everything out on the mats,” Daniels added, noting that each match is judged by points and techniques like submissions, grappling or arm bars.
Twenty-two divisions were open for competitors at the New Mexico National Showdown this past weekend and Mitchell entered into the Teen Brazilian Jiu Jitsu division.
Daniels said the teen boy division is pretty competitive, especially the competitions they host in New Mexico because the quality of competition is really high.
Mitchell, who has been a wrestler since he was nine, has been practicing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for the past three years when he joined Nayee’eji Fierce MMA in Gallup and is being coached by Reginald Mitchell.
This is the first gold medal Mitchell has gotten since he started competing through Nayee’eji Fierce MMA and he said it feels great.
“It makes me want to train and practice more,” Mitchell said, adding that being able to win first place makes him feel great and motivated to continue.
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