Jiu jitsu champion eyes next fight

On Jan. 14 Bruno Ewald will defend another of his many titles at the North American Grappling Association’s Hawaiian State grappling competition in Honolulu.

Ewald, a 15-year Kaua‘i resident, is still riding high after winning the World Jiu-jitsu Championships in Rio de Janerio, Brazil in August. Also known as the Mundial, the event is regarded as the most prestigious of all international jiu-jitsu competitions.

Ewald of Hanalei finally succeeded in bringing home Mundial gold on his third attempt at the event. On his way to the title, Ewald defeated three opponents in the black belt, super-super heavyweight, masters division.

Video footage of his matches told the story. Ewald paced the sidelines like a caged lion, ready to pounce. His first match lasted all of 36 seconds as he immediately pulled guard and tapped out his opponent with an arm-bar. The second match went the distance, with Ewald winning by a margin of 6-0.

“That was my toughest match,” he said. “My opponent weighed 300 pounds and had arms as thick as my legs.”

Entering the match Ewald had an injured back and broken finger. Despite taking an early 10-point lead, he didn’t relent. Three-and-a-half minutes into the match, Ewald forced the arm-bar, got the submission, and with it the elusive title of black belt world champion.

Upon his return to Kaua‘i, Mayor Bryan Baptiste recognized Ewald’s outstanding achievement by declaring Sept. 15 as “Bruno Ewald Day.”

Friend Jared Espina toasted the event saying, “Bruno, you didn’t just win for yourself and your students, but for all of Kaua‘i, and we are proud of you.”

To contact Ewald for information regarding his Longman Jiu Jitsu training, call 645-1265.

He conducts classes at his dojo in Hanalei Monday to Friday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Class fees are $100 per month.