A West Cumbrian man is celebrating after winning gold in Brazilian jiu jitsu at the British Open held at Loughborough University.
JP Hasley, a 34-year-old scaffolder from Kells, was successful in the Gi category at the most prestigious tournament of the year.
Hasley trains six days a week, splitting his time between Just Grind MMA and Fitness Centre Workington and Guardian Martial Arts, Whitehaven.
He has been involved with combat sports since the age of nine although his first passion was for boxing.
He could never compete due to being partially sighted so he then decided to pursue the discipline of BJJ.
At the British Open he competed in the Gi, 88kg, purple belt category. He had three fights, won two by submission and one walk over which led to him winning the gold medal.
He said: “Training with BJJ black belt, Ricardo Luiz Oliveira Dos Santos has brought my BJJ level to a higher standard. I felt when I went into the competition it was easy. Ricardo’s coaching and advice has given me strength and determination to progress and achieve my goal of becoming a black belt.”
