News & Events

05/05/2010 - The North American Grappling Association

On May 5, 2010, The North American Grappling Association (NAGA) rolled into Charlotte, North Carolina for the North Carolina Grappling Championship. An electric atmosphere filled the Grady Cole Center as hundreds of anxious grapplers and their support groups arrived

for the nationally ranked tournament. The event, which was open to all grappling styles and experience levels, attracted about 400 grapplers overall. In the LINXX corner, coaches Nestor Bayot and James Gamble, along with LINXX father, Ron Lynch, gathered the team and gave the challengers a pep talk about strategies and game plans. An up-and-coming group of young and eager LINXX competitors were about to make their debut on the mats.

All NAGA events are part of the nationwide ranking system entitled RANKED. Victory for a competitor at a RANKED tournament is a successful step towards recognition on a national level. The system was put into effect by NAGA in 2002 and continues to be the largest submission grappling ranking system. It is designed to keep track of the best grapplers in the country and has helped grappling gain further recognition among other sports. First place competitors earn both a custom engraved Samurai sword and due credit on the NAGA RANKED website.

Six Junior LINXX competitors rolled on the mat that day, and together they rolled off with 11 placements in the top 3 spots for both Gi and No-Gi divisions. Kai Lockhart, 9, proudly earned 1st place in his Gi and No-Gi weight class. Troy Metcalf, Gavin Corbe, and Caleb Lynch were also honored with 1st place victories. Another notable match occurred when Deandre Corbe, 15-years-old and 95 lbs, took on Christian Clinton of Team ROC of North Carolina, who weighed in 30 lbs heavier than Corbe. After grappling with the considerably larger opponent, Deandre proceeded to take 2nd place in the Teen GI Intermediate Bantam Weight.

Five Master LINXX fighters grappled their way to seven top tier octagon medals at the tournament. Brandon Watts and John Lopez completed the selection of gold medal winners. Lopez secured the 1st place title for the Men’s No-Gi Intermediate Welter Weight division, and the ambitious White Belt requested to roll with the Blue Belts; ultimately placing 3rd in the advanced division. Watts went home with the 1st place title for the Men’s No-Gi Beginner Welter Weight division as well as the 1st place title for the Men’s Gi White Belt Welter Weight division.

Each LINXX grappler was confronted with experienced competitors, daunting weight classes and ranks, and the pressures of tournament competition, and they met each challenge head-on. Their confidence and drive, along with the training and support from their LINXX family, helped bolster each student to strive for greatness, accelerate in experience, and compete with the ferocity and poise of seasoned fighters.