Cassidy Hinsberger and Rob Biernacki won gold medals for Island Top Team at the Vancouver International Open Brazilian Jiu Jitsu event on Dec. 17. (Island Top Team)

By Dan Marshall

Medal Performances

Island Top Team earns gold medals in final 2022 competition

Dec 20, 2022 | 2:25 PM

NANAIMO — Two recent Brazilian Jiu Jitsu events wrapped up the tournament schedule for Nanaimo’s Island Top Team.

Cassidy Hinsberger and head instructor Rob Biernacki won gold medals at the Vancouver International Open held at BCIT on Saturday, Dec. 17.

Hinsberger won all three divisions she entered winning gold in White Belt Gi, No Gi Beginner and the Open Weight Beginner Absolute division.

“Cassidy’s performance was made even more impressive in that she has only been training with us for a few months,” Biernacki said. “Her gold in the Gi division was a real standout as we only entered her in that one to get her some more experience.”

Biernacki himself won the No Gi Expert Masters division with two submission victories.

vehicle damage

Over 40 vehicles damaged during late-night Nanaimo vandalism spree

1h ago

rising costs

RDN taxpayers want relief as board grapples with budget

5h ago

new mayor

Spring Mayoral by-election called in Ladysmith

18h ago

Earlier in December Island Top Team’s Monica Bonczak took home a silver medal at the 2022 Jiu Jitsu No Gi World Championship in Anaheim.

She was the only member of the team to earn a medal in the Purple Best Master 1 division.

“I’m really happy with the performance,” Biernacki explained. “Monica’s silver medal showing was our highest ever medal at No Gi worlds.”

Biernacki said 2022 was a strong competition year overall for Island Top Team.

“We had our best ever team performance at an IBJJF event at American nationals in July with all our athletes winning gold in their No Gi divisions.”

Join the conversation. Submit your letter to NanaimoNewsNOW and be included on The Water Cooler, our letters to the editor feature.

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @NanaimoNewsNOW