Manx grapplers head to European Championships

Three fighters in Paris hoping to go one better than last year

A team of Isle of Man Jiu-Jitsu competitors have flown to Paris to compete in the 2024 International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) Gi European Championships this week. 

After a successful 2023 tournament, fighters Lukasz Borciuch and Hayley Curtis will be hoping to go one step better this time around. 

Lukasz made it to the semi-finals last year, before he had to unfortunately withdraw after sustaining an injury. However, the competitor still came away with the bronze medal. 

Haley, who also won the bronze medal in 2023, will face tougher opposition this year, as the fighter will have to battle a new a division after her promotion to purple belt. 

Meanwhile, newcomer Colin Everden will make his first appearance at the Gi European Championship, but has proved himself more than capable after he also claimed bronze at his last outing, in the IBJJF Nogi Europeans in 2022.

Coach Conrad Roberts says this is the "biggest Jiu-Jitsu Competition in Europe with competitors travelling from around the globe to take part" and will run for the whole week.