By Dan Marshall

Island Top Team wins 15 gold medals, named top academy at CBJJF Vancouver International Open

Dec 11, 2017 | 9:42 AM

NANAIMO — Coming home with medals from a martial arts event is nothing new for the athletes at Island Top Team.
 
But this past weekend at the final 2017 Canadian Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation tournament I-T-T was the top academy with 15 gold medals, six silvers, and two bronze medals.
 
At the Vancouver International Open at UBC, Island Top Team won the nogi team trophy by capturing eight medals.
 
I-T-T also won the nogi championship at both the provincial and Western Canadian tournaments.
 
In the gi divisions I-T-T contributed six gold medals to their team (Caio Terra Association).
 
That team finished second in the adult and masters categories.
 
Island Top Team also placed second in the kids nogi standings.
 
Both Jamie Gow and Sarah Kolybaba took three gold medals on Saturday to lead the team.
 
They earned those medals in the gi division, beginner nogi, and the absolute – which is the open weight category.
 
Simarjeet Kaur, Kevin Wong, and Dwayne Johnston came away with a pair of golds as well.
 
The other gold medals for Island Top Team went to Titus Rae, Mike Hill, and Brandon Miller.
 
I-T-T coach Rob Biernacki was particularly excited for Wong and Miller who won their first ever gold medals after training for only three months.
 
There was an additional gold medal for Phoenix Gibson in the kids beginner nogi division, which isn’t included in the overall team standings.
 
Island Top Team took home home 12 gold medals at the 2017 Western Canadians in Penticton, and five golds at the provincial tournament earlier this year in Burnaby.
 
I-T-T’s head instructor Rob Biernacki is known worldwide throughout in the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu community because of his ability to train and develop champions at all levels.
 
 
dan@nanaimonewsnow.com
 
On twitter: @danmarshall77