WILLEMSTAD - A small delegation consisting of athlete Chris Elliott and coach / Curaçao representative Gideon Jonker, left for the Netherlands on Monday, March 21st to participate in a World Partnership Mixed Martial Arts on March 23rd-27th. The event is organized by the world federation GAMMA (Global Association Mixed Martial Arts) supported by the NOC*NSF (Dutch Olympic Committee). In addition to the delegation, Barry Irausquin who is living in the Netherlands will also participate to represent Curaçao.
Proud
The athletes Chris Elliott and Barry Irausquin will proudly represent Curaçao for the first time at a world CHAMPIONSHIP MMA. Thanks to GAMMA member of the Curaçao Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation (CBJJF) with chairman Chris Tjon, we managed to travel with a small delegation. "It is great to see that there are also federations that understand how important it is to be able to represent Curaçao on such a large stage." , according to Gideon Jonker. "World Cups have been held before, but often it was about the club from a country, while now the country of Curaçao will be represented which is also the main goal."
Postponed
This world championship was initially supposed to be held in Germany but was postponed due to Covid. Partly because of this, it is now being held in Amsterdam, and thanks to CBJJF the possibility has been created to put together a small delegation to travel in a short term. Next to that, Chris's preparation was with other members of CBJJF, which has really given it a national character.
CBJJF
Chris Elliott trains at IMMARTIAL – Athlete Centre and has had good preparation together with other members of CBJJF, including former MMA fighter and trainer Jairzhino Kowsoleea of Medina Grappling and professional MMA fighter David Hawker of IMMARTIAL – Athlete Centre. Barry Irausquin, on the other hand, trains at Fight IQ in the Netherlands and has managed to prepare well together with his teammates. It is very difficult to estimate whether medals will be won, as 58 countries will participate with a total of 392 athletes. It is also still unknown who they will face, so they have managed to prepare as widely as possible.
The tournament itself will take place on March 23rd to March 27th in Amsterdam in Sporthallen Zuid, where they will compete for a podium place in several days.