028 - IBJJF PANS 2024 - Gi/Masters 2/Blue Belt/195 Match 01

The first match of any competition always seems to be the hardest. I don’t know if it’s just the rust, stress/anxiety, change in heart rate but I always feel stiff. My opponent snagged a beautiful single leg with phenomenal timing and took me down quick. At this point, the bright lights, crowd, nerves, it all disappeared. My brain switched to comp mode and I began to fight out of a bad position. I worked my way back up but he was hyper focused on keeping a leg. I began to methodically work for a lapel and set up a choke which I managed to sink in. I squeezed with all my power and got the submission win. I need 1 more win to get on that podium.