Tallahassee Jiu-Jitsu athletes compete in international championships

TALLAHASSEE, Florida (WCTV) – Nine young athletes with Positive Balance Jiu Jitsu MMA Fitness are testing their skills on an international level.

The fighters compete at the Pan Kids IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship in Kissimmee, Florida on Jan.

Tim Fitzgerald, 15, said they prepared for this by exercising at least three times a week and competing against fighters above their weight class.

Trainer Dylan Whyte said Fitzgerald and the rest of the athletes are ready to showcase their hard work and talent.

“He (Tim) is probably the toughest kid I’ve ever had in the gym. He is type 1 diabetic. He has his own problems, but he’s one of the toughest kids I’ve ever trained with, harder than any other adult, ”said Coach Whyte.

Fitzgerald said that when he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 10, he thought he could no longer exercise.

He said the competitive and family-oriented atmosphere at the gym helped him face his challenges and become a more confident athlete.

Hadley Prato, 8, is excited about the event because after battling boys in national competitions, she will finally have the chance to compete against girls of her age and weight class.

Coach Dylan said if an athlete wins this weekend they will move up one belt size.

You can watch the live stream of the competition on the Pan Kids IBJJF website.

Here is the list of athletes:

• GRAY / Mighty-Mite 3 / Male / Spring saw Glen Earl
• GRAY / Mighty-Mite 3 / Male / Medium Charles Meade Cooper
• GRAY / Pee-Wee 1 / Male / Hellfeder Jackson Esker Jay Farris
• GRAY / Pee-Wee 2 / Female / Feather Hadley Grace Prado
• GRAY / Pee-Wee 3 / Female / Light feather Isabella Renee Farris
• GRAY / Junior 2 / Male / Hell Harrison Levi Matthew Stone
• GRAY / Teen 2 / Female / Super-Heavy Annaliese Joy Brannon
• YELLOW / Teen 3 / Male / Intermediate Timothy Thomas Fitzgerald
• GREEN, ORANGE / Teen 3 / Female / Middle Molly Anna Rogers

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