Rob Biernacki and Monica Bonczak returned from the Grappling Industries Vancouver tournament with two gold medals each in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. (Rob Biernacki)

By Dan Marshall

Double Gold

Two Nanaimo Brazilian jujitsuka win multiple golds at Vancouver tournament

Jul 24, 2023 | 1:38 PM

NANAIMO — Two competitors from Island Top Team have come away from a Burnaby tournament well decorated.

Both Rob Biernacki and Monica Bonczak attended the Grappling Industries Vancouver Brazilian jiu-jitsu gi and nogi tournament over the weekend, taking home two gold medals each.

“We had an excellent showing,” Biernacki said. “Not only did we bring home four gold medals, we didn’t give up any points scored against us.”

Biernacki, who is also the head instructor at Island Top Team, recorded a milestone winning his first ever Absolute division title.

In masters absolute, he won both of his matches on points despite being 50 pounds lighter than his opponents.

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He also went on to win his weight class in the 185 pound masters 40 plus brown/black nogi division.

The 47-year-old had three wins all via submission.

Bonczak won both her masters purple belt 135 pound gi and nogi divisions with two wins in each.

“Monica’s gi division was a points win followed by a mounted cross choke in the final match,” Biernacki said. “Her nogi division was a narrow points win followed by a dominant rear naked choke victory in the final. She displayed great tenacity, fighting through injury to prevail in her return to competition.”

Early next month, Biernacki will be heading to Lynwood Washington to host a two day seminar.

“My goal is for everyone attending to understand the underlying concepts on how to make chokes and joint locks work on a conceptual level so they can adjust on the fly to novel situations, self correct, and dramatically increase their finish rate.”

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