JIU-JITSU – AN aspiring, Bahrain-based jiu-jitsu fighter has shown his incredible resilience and talent after overcoming some health issues and striking gold in a top children’s competition in the kingdom.
Ten-year-old Gethin Crighton, born in Muscat, Oman whilst his father was serving in the British Army and living in the kingdom for the past three years, contracted pneumonia in early April of this year just weeks before he was set to compete in the second edition of the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Kids Tournament at House of Athletes – an event that featured participants from leading jiu-jitsu academies and clubs in Bahrain.
After overcoming his sickness, the year five St Christopher’s student then faced another hurdle when he suffered a chest injury during a training session just two days before hitting the mat.
But Crighton was not to be denied – taking those troubles down and putting his limitless potential on display as he went on to win the gold medal in the boys’ 32kg category.
“This was my third martial arts tournament and after lots of hard work I got my first gold medal in my weight class,” Crighton, who trains at Reza’s Martial Arts Centre (RMAC), told the GDN.
“It was hard when I got sick and after I got my injury, but I knew that I would get better and if I continued to train hard, I could get a good reward.”
Crighton’s father Dean got him into Brazilian jiu-jitsu a year-and-a-half ago to help further develop his physical abilities.
“He’s always been a physical child and, being a bit smaller than the other boys his age, I wanted to help find a way to improve his robustness when he’s tackling in defence in his first sport of football,” explained Dean, who added that Crighton’s focus on the House of Athletes competition never wavered, even when dealing with pneumonia and his chest injury.
“When he contracted pneumonia, he was being treated in Awali Hospital, with continued treatment going back and forth twice daily for a nebuliser,” Dean explained. “We didn’t know if he’d be able to compete because of the after-effects of pneumonia, and during a training session he got his chest injury, which was just two days before the tournament!
“But he was always positive in his approach to the competition and he knew if he wasn’t feeling strong, he could step out at any time.”
Dean encouraged Crighton to do his best and gave him the kind of extra motivation that a young child would love. “I told him when he first started Brazilian jiu-jitsu, if he ever won a competition, I’d buy him whatever he wanted,” Dean laughed. “Now, I have to buy him a new game, amongst other things, for the PlayStation 5 and his uncle Craig also promised him a new Lego Technics.”
Crighton is now determined to build on his maiden gold medal success and strive for even greater achievements in the future.
“I want to go as far as I can with Brazilian jiu-jitsu,” said Crighton. “I love the sport and I like the time I spend training and getting better.
“I want to represent RMAC in as many competitions as possible, and I want to be a great fighter as I grow up.”
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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