Local Brazilian jiu-jitsu athletes from Island Top Team finished with seven gold medals and four silvers at the Grappling Industries Vancouver event on Oct. 7 (Rob Biernacki)

By Dan Marshall

Medal Haul

Island Top Team finishes second in team category in Vancouver martial arts event

Oct 15, 2023 | 5:57 AM

NANAIMO — A brazilian jiu-jitsu team from Island Top Team had an impressive showing at their final Grappling Industries event of 2023.

ITT took second place in the team standings at BCIT’s Burnaby campus on Oct. 7.

Head instructor Rob Biernacki said it was ‘rock star’ performance from the Nanaimo based group.

“So proud of this crew, amazing performances win or lose, and awesome support all around.”

All tolled Island Top Team had the most gold medals of any team, but the first place award went to group with more siver and bronze medals.

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Ivan Olsen had a fantastic tournament with gold medals in the NoGi masters advanced absolute and the NoGi purple belt class.

It was a double gold effort for Titus Rae as well in the Gi and NoGi purple belt categories.

Rae won his medals while being pushed up into a higher weight class.

Other first place finishes went to Aaron Hendsby for masters NoGi blue belt, Zach Charbonneau in the NoGi white belt division and Sara Grant in her NoGi white belt event.

As well Island Top Team members Anthony McPhail, Cory Burton, Laura Olsen and Mark Tiongson brought home silver medals from the weekend.

Immediately following the Grappling Industries event Biernacki hit the road to teach a jiu-jitsu seminar in Castle Rock, Colorado.

He said he’s looking forward to celebrating the victory with the rest of the team.

“I can’t wait to buy these guys burgers when I get back from Denver.”