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U.S. Sombo Newsletter
June, 2007
Dear Friends of Sombo,
May is upon us and we have just completed the 2007 USA Wrestling Sombo Nationals and World Team Trials in Las Vegas, Nevada. Last month we did not have a newsletter due to technical difficulties, so this month’s newsletter will cover news from the past two months.
In this issue, I review Steve Scott’s Championship Sambo: Submission Holds and Groundfighting. If you have story ideas, or suggestions relating to future issues of this newsletter, please drop me a line at teamusa@sombo.us. We also welcome article submissions. If you are interested in writing an article for future inclusion in our newsletter, please submit the article to me via email at the address listed above.
Yours in Sombo, Lance Campbell Vice President, United States Sombo Association
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2) Book Review: Championship Sambo: Submission Holds and Groundfighting by Steve Scott by Lance Campbell
This book, available through http://www.turtlepress.com, includes a brief history of the sport. The book focuses on groundfighting and submission holds. The book does a good job of covering various submission techniques and groundfighting positions. If you are looking to learn the throws, and various grips from the standing position that are commonly used in sombo, then you will not find much here. The book focuses mainly on the ground techniques. If you are looking to become more familiar with ground techniques, then this book offers a good value. There are instructional books on sombo, so I highly recommend that you add this book to your collection. Previously, I have reviewed other instructional on the sport. I would also recommend the ASA’s Combat Sambo Ankle and Leglock DVD which can be purchased at http://www.ussambo.com. This DVD covers many leglocks, and transitions from standing into leglocks. Another instructional that is a must have in my mind, is Sambo For Professionals, which can be purchased at http://www.sambolessons.borec.ru. This computer program is awesome, and does an excellent job of covering the various throws of the sport. You can download the trial version for free. With so few sombo instructionals on the market, I would recommend that you add all three to your collection!
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3) News & Events ADCC News Reports that ADCC and FILA Part Ways
According to ADCC News Senior Editor, Kid Peligro, Sheik Tahoon Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Guy Neivens, and Renzo Gracie have resigned their positions with the FILA World Grappling Committee. Aparentley their were ideological differences that led to these members of the committee to decide to part ways with FILA. The remainder of the committee includes a number of other noteable figures in the grappling community. The World Championships are still scheduled for September in Antalya, Turkey where the event will be held alongside the Sombo and Beach Wrestling World Championships. USA Wrestling will be hosting the U.S. World Team Trials in June in Las Vegas, and the list of athletes qualified to participate in the trials is very impressive. See the article below to see the list of athletes that have already qualified.
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Five champions crowned on first day of U.S. Grappling World Team Trials Gary Abbott USA Wrestling 06/10/2007
LAS VEGAS, NEV. – USA Wrestling held its first Grappling World Team Trials at the Convention Center on Saturday. Five weight classes were contested, three for men and two for women. The competition was intense, with high quality action and skilled contestants in each weight class.
The event served as the qualifying competition for the U.S. team which will compete in the World Wrestling Games in Antalya, Turkey in September.
At 70 kg/154 lbs., Ricky Lundell (Pedro Sauer Team) defeated Jeff Glover (Cobra Kai Jiu Jitsu), 3-2. Glover scored the first takedown to lead 2-0, but Lundell rebounded by getting a one-point escape and a late takedown for the win.
“I feel I competed the best I have ever done,” said Lundell, who lives in Orem, Utah. “Today was my day. My opponents, especially my finals one, were outstanding. My finals opponent is one of the best of all time. My coach Brandon Guzzo made this happen. My last mentor, Pedro Sauer, was also a part of this. The only adverse thing was, that I got my eye busted in the semifinal, which made it harder to win. I can’t believe I have an opportunity to represent my nation.”
Glover qualified for this tournament by winning a gold medal at the World Grappling Games Pan Am Submission Championships. Lundell qualified by taking a silver medal at Grapplers Quest U.S. Pro Trials.
At 80 kg/176 lbs., Don Ortega (No Limits) upset Bill Cooper (Paragon BJJ Academy), 2-1. Ortega scored the only takedown, with Cooper getting an escape.
“I felt real good,” said Ortega, who is from Albuqueque, N.M. “I didn’t know what to expect. It was a good experience. This is good for grappling and good for wrestling. I was trying to stay solid and not give him any opportunities. It is awesome to go to the World Championships. I dreamed about it with wrestling as a kid, but I never got there. Now I get to go with this.
Ortega has a strong wrestling background, competing at Adams State Univ. He has also competed and studied jiu jitsu for a number of years.
Of all the competitors in the field, Cooper won the most of the qualifying events coming in, winning the Grapplers Quest U.S. Pro Trials, the World Grappling Games Best of the West and the Grapplers Quest U.S. Pro Trials. Ortega was a champion at the USA Wrestling Irvine, Calif. Qualifier.
At 92 kg/202.5 lbs., the champion was Malcom Havens (Grapplers Edge), who stopped Matt Horwich (Team Quest), 4-1. Havens had two takedowns, and Horwich scored an escape in the bout.
“I want to say I am a wrestler,” said Havens, who is from Parker, Colo. “My submissions are not so good. I take control on my feet and stay out of the submissions. It isn’t pretty, but I gets me in the win column. I have to thank God for putting me in the position to make the World Championships. I’ll give it everything I have got.”
Havens was a Div. I starting wrestler for three years at the Univ. of Wyoming. Havens qualified for the competition by taking a bronze medal at USA Wrestling’s Virginia Beach Qualifer. Horwich competes for the Portland Wolfpack of the International Fight League, and qualified for the tournament by winning the USA Wrestling Olympia, Wash. Qualifier.
In the Women’s division, Lisa Ward (United Fight Team) won a three-athlete roundrobin to capture the 48 kg/105.5 lbs. weight class. In her first match, she scored a submission over Hillary Witt of Saulo Ribiero B. In her final bout, she stopped Van Milnes (unattached), 4-1.
“I am in MMA, which is my forte,” said Ward, who lives in Lacy, Wash. “This is just play for me. It was awesome. I competed crappy, but it was enough to win. It is a blessing to have the opportunity to do this.”
Ward has been a USA Wrestling All-American in women’s freestyle wrestling in the past. She qualified for the tournament with a silver medal performance at the USA Wrestling Olympia, Wash. qualifier.
At 55 kg/121 lbs., Felicia Oh (JJ Machado/BJMUTA) scored a submission at 2:35 with an arm triangle over Bahar Shamidi (Grapplers Edge). Oh was leading 5-2 when she locked up the winning move for the tapout.
“I am really excited to have this competition,” said Oh, who is from Tarzana, Calif. “It is exciting to grapple at this level. It is a great experience for me. The competition brings athletes from all levels, wrestling, sombo, jiu jitsu. It brings an edge to everything. It forces us to be more rounded and to be better grapplers. The girls were tough. It was a different toughness. I think it is an amazing opportunity to make the World Team. I will be so proud to be able to represent my country. It is really unbelievable.
Oh has been competing in jiu jitsu for almost seven years. Both of the finalists qualified for the event by winning a USA Wrestling sanctioned qualifier. Oh won the Irvine, Calif. Qualifier and Shamidi won the Virginia Beach, Va. qualifier.
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Monson beats Vetell, as final four weights are contested at U.S. Grappling World Team Trials Gary Abbott 06/11/2007
LAS VEGAS, NEV. – USA Wrestling completed its first Grappling World Team Trials at the Convention Center on Sunday. Four weight classes were contested, two each for men and women.
This event determines the U.S. team which will compete in the first World Wrestling Games in Antalya, Turkey in September.
The headline bout of the day occurred at 125 kg/275 lbs., a close battle between two athletes who have a strong background Mixed Martial Arts.
Jeff Monson (Victory Athletics) edged Bryan Vetell (Renzo Gracie), 2-1. The bout was scoreless until the last minute of action, when Monson scored a takedown and Vetell earned an escape. Vetell was not able to score in the closing seconds.
Jeff Monson, who is from Olympia, Wash. has an extensive Mixed Martial Arts career, with a record of 24-5 including a number of UFC fights. Monson was a Div. I wrestler at the Univ. of Oregon and at the Univ. of Illinois, and was a Pac-10 champion. He also competed on the Senior level in USA Wrestling events for a number of years.
Vetell competes for New York Pitbulls of the International Fight League. He is a graduate of Hofstra University.
“Wrestling is my first love,” said Monson. “I am really excited to see that FILA is overseeing Grappling and giving unity to the sport. Now I think the sport will grow. I want to promote this sport. I competed at the U.S. Nationals a number of times in wrestling and I wanted to come back.”
“Grappling helps my MMA. I wasn’t able to make it to the Abu Dhabi Worlds this year because of an injury, so going to Turkey is my redemption,” said Monson.
Monson qualified to compete by winning the Grapplers Quest U.S. Nationals. Vetell qualified to compete here by winning the USA Wrestling Virginia Beach Qualifier.
At 62 kg/136.5 lbs. in the men’s division, Darin Uyenoyama (Fogtown Jiu Jitsu) scored a strong 10-4 decision over Simpson Go (Cobra Kai Jiu Jitsu). Uyenoyama scored two takedowns, a reversal and a side mount during the match.
“Today was the highest achievement of my life. The biggest part for me is to be on the same mats as my wrestling heroes. Kendall Cross and Tom Brands were out there. Seeing John Smith made me a little star struck,” said Uyenoyama.
Uyenoyama qualified for the field by winning the World Grappling Games Best of West title. Go qualified for the event by winning the Grapplers Quest U.S. Nationals. Uyenoyama, who lives in San Francisco, has a wrestling background, competing two years at Skyline Junior College in California.
“I honestly think it was the podium we were put up on,” said Uyenoyama of his outstanding finals effort. “USA Wrestling gave us this opportunity. I wanted to meet the expectations and put on a good fight. I’d love to compete in the World Championships. I think at 62 kg, I am looking for somebody to give me a war. I’d travel anywhere to find that.”
In the Women’s division at 63 kg/138.75 lbs. Tara LaRosa (unattached) defeated Ginele Marquez-Lee (Victory Athletics) by submission, with a rear naked choke at 3:20. LaRosa led 10-0 after just over a minute, with a takedown, a three-point side mount and a five-point back mount.
“I did really well,” said LaRose, who is from Woodstown, N.J. “Tori Adams (her semifinal rival) is an incredible opponent. I knew she came from a strong wrestling background. I had to find a way to compensate for that. She is very tough. I had a lot respect for her.”
LaRosa won two of the qualifying events for the World Team Trials, the USA Wrestling Virginia Beach Qualifier as well as the NAGA World Championships. Marquez won the USA Wrestling Olympia, Wash. Qualifier
“I love USA Wrestling and the organization here. I am so honored and thrilled to be here, and to be with some of the greatest athletes in the world in wrestling. I am so excited to represent my country. My boyfriend is now serving in Iraq,” said LaRosa.
At 72 kg/158.5 lbs.,Valerie Worthington (New Breed/Hollywood Brazilian Jiu Jitsu) scored a submission over Elaina Maxwell (unattached) in 2:26. She scored a takedown and a side mount to lead 5-0, and Maxwell tapped out when Worthington executed a dars choke.
“I have amazing teachers. I am so grateful for them. You can’t do something like this without them supporting you. I appreciate what they do for me,” said Worthington.
Worthington, who lives in Los Angeles, Calif., qualified through the World Grappling Games Pan Am Submission Championships. Maxwell qualified to compete here by placing second at the World Grappling Games Best of West.
“I used to run marathons. I got addicted to pushing myself physically. Jiu Jitsu could keep me competing for years. This is unbelievable. I am so grateful. I was happy that FILA recognized Grappling. I feel the two styles have so much to teach each other. Everybody who grapples is so happy that it is being recognized as a mainstream sport,” said Worthington.
More information on the World Wrestling Games in Antalya, Turkey and the U.S. team will be forthcoming. It was a historic weekend for the sport of Grappling and for USA Wrestling.
2007 U.S. GRAPPLING WORLD TEAM TRIALS CHAMPIONS Men 62 kg/136.5 lbs. - Darin Uyenoyama, San Francisco, Calif. (Fogtown Jiu Jitsu) 70 kg/154 lbs. - Ricky Lundell, Orem, Utah (Pedro Sauer Team) 80 kg/176 lbs. - Don Ortega, Albuquerque, N.M. (No Limits) 92 kg/202.5 lbs., - Malcom Havens, Parker, Colo. (Grapplers Edge) 125 kg/275 lbs. - Jeff Monson, Olympia, Wash. (Victory Athletics)
Women 48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Lisa Ward, Lacy, Wash. (United Fight Team) 55 kg/121 lbs. - Felicia Oh, Tarzana, Calif. (JJ Machado/BJMUTA) 63 kg/138.75 lbs. - Tara LaRosa, Woodstown, N.J. (unattached) 72 kg/158.5 lbs. - Valerie Worthington, Los Angeles, Calif. (New Breed/Hollywood Brazilian Jiu Jitsu)
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Henry Cejudo, Doug Schwab hit jackpot by making first U.S. World Teams in freestyle Craig Sesker USA Wrestling 06/11/2007
LAS VEGAS – Go ahead and call Henry Cejudo the future of American wrestling.
He doesn’t mind.
In fact, he embraces it.
The 20-year-old Cejudo, far beyond his years for an American freestyle wrestler, continued his rapid ascent at the Senior level by winning his first U.S. World Team Trials championship on Sunday night
Cejudo (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) took two straight matches over Matt Azevedo to win the best-of-3 finals series at 55 kg/121 lbs. in freestyle.
Cejudo, who was profiled in last week’s issue of Sports Illustrated, proved he can handle the spotlight by handling an upset bid by a tough finals opponent in Azevedo. Cejudo was called the “future of wrestling” and a guy who is going to “win a lot of World and Olympic titles” by USA Wrestling National Coach Kevin Jackson in the SI feature.
“I don’t mind it,” Cejudo said when asked if he is the future of wrestling. “I’m young, I’m hungry and I’m out to win. I want to be a World champion this year.”
Cejudo now qualifies for September’s World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan. He was one of 10 overall champions crowned Sunday as the two-day event concluded. The other 11 champions in freestyle, women’s freestyle and Greco-Roman were crowned Saturday night.
Cejudo has shown noticeable improvement since last year when he became the first high-schooler to win U.S. Nationals since USA Wrestling became the national governing body for wrestling in 1983. He also was a Junior World silver medalist in 2006. He placed second to past World champion and Olympic silver medalist Sammie Henson, last year's eventual World bronze medalist, at the 2006 World Team Trials.
The slick, athletic Cejudo rallied to top Azevedo 3-4, 3-3, 2-0 in the first match before winning 4-1, 1-0 in the second match. Henson, who has been injured and is not competing this year, was in Azevedo’s corner coaching him against Cejudo.
“I’m a lot better than I was last year,” Cejudo said. “I’m better in par terre, I’m stronger, I’m more mature, I do a better job cutting weight. I can wrestle anybody’s style – short, long, tall, whatever.”
Cejudo has blossomed under the guidance and watchful eye of USA Wrestling Freestyle Resident Coach Terry Brands, a two-time World champion and Olympic bronze medalist.
“Terry’s the best coach in the World,” Cejudo said. “We’re really close and he’s really helped me a lot.”
Brands even managed to crack a smile in a photo with Cejudo that ran in Sports Illustrated.
“Terry can be really funny once you get to know him,” Cejudo said of the demanding, hard-nosed Brands. “Terry’s a great guy.”
Cejudo was one of four freestyle champions crowned Sunday. Also winning titles in freestyle were Doug Schwab of the Gator Wrestling Club at 66 kg/145.5 lbs., Joe Williams of the Sunkist Kids at 84 kg/185 lbs. and Tommy Rowlands of the Sunkist Kids at 120 kg/264.5 lbs.
The sixth-seeded Schwab turned in a phenomenal day. He defeated No. 3 seed Jared Lawrence, No. 2 seed Zack Esposito and No. 1 seed Jared Frayer in Sunday’s Challenge Tournament. He then outlasted U.S. Nationals champion Chris Bono, who sat out all day, in a wild best-of-3 finals match that went the full three matches.
Schwab trailed 1-0 in the final minute of the final match before he shot in on a leg attack and eventually finished to dump Bono to the mat for a takedown with 15 seconds left to even the match 1-1. Schwab then held off Bono’s late scoring tries and won the period by virtue of scoring last. That secured him a surprise spot on his first World Team.
“I knew I had to be in on the attack,” Schwab said. “I hit a high crotch. I was like a dog on a bone. I was going to score no matter what, even if I had to rip his leg off. I had been in that position a thousand times before and I knew I could finish it.”
Schwab, an assistant coach for the Iowa Hawkeyes, placed seventh at the 2007 U.S. Nationals before turning in a memorable performance at the World Team Trials two months later. The always physical and tough Bono, the head coach at Tennessee-Chattanooga, was trying to make his fourth World Team.
“It was a war – I know it will be a war with him every time,” said Schwab, whose highest previous finish in this event was fifth in 2005. “It has been two months of solid training and focus.”
Winning titles in Greco-Roman were 2006 World champion Joe Warren of the New York AC at 60 kg/132 lbs., 2006 World bronze medalist Harry Lester of the Gator Wrestling Club at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. and 2005 World bronze medalist Justin Ruiz of the New York AC at 96 kg/211.5 lbs.
Winning titles in women’s freestyle were Stephanie Murata of the Sunkist Kids at 48 kg/105.5 lbs., Marcie Van Dusen of the Sunkist Kids at 55 kg/121 lbs. and Sara McMann of the Sunkist Kids at 63 kg/138.75 lbs.
Rowlands made his first World Team by beating former college rival Steve Mocco of the New York AC in two straight matches. Rowlands continued to build momentum in a year where he also won his first U.S. Nationals championship.
Rowlands joined fellow Ohio State assistant coach Joe Heskett on the U.S. World Team in freestyle. Heskett qualified for the World Team by winning a title at 74 kg/163 lbs. on Saturday.
Williams outlasted Andy Hrovat of the New York AC in a grueling, three-match battle. Williams clinched the World Team spot when he caught Hrovat and threw him for three points in the second period of the third match.
Williams, who moved up a weight this year, is a two-time World bronze medalist. He made his sixth World Team.
Warren made his third straight World Team by sweeping Joe Betterman of the New York AC in the finals. Warren looks poised to make a run at another World title after capturing the 2007 World Cup.
The explosive Lester made his third straight World Team. He had the Las Vegas Convention Center crowd buzzing when he lifted Curby and planted him on his back for a quick fall in the first match.
Ruiz made his third straight World Team by sweeping Adam Wheeler of the Gator Wrestling Club in the finals. Ruiz was able to turn Wheeler in the par terre position to gain an edge in a pair of tight matches.
Murata, 36, a past World silver medalist, took two straight finals matches over 2006 World Team member Mary Kelly. Murata also beat Kelly in the finals of the 2007 U.S. Nationals. Murata threw Kelly to her back for a pin in the first match before following with a second win to clinch the World Team spot. Murata made her ninth U.S. World Team.
Van Dusen, a past World University champion, made her first World Team on the Senior level by taking two straight from Sharon Jacobson of the Gator Wrestling Club. Van Dusen was the aggressor from the outset and that paid off against a tough, physical foe in Jacobson.
McMann, a 2004 Olympic silver medalist, looked strong in sweeping Tori Adams of the Sunkist Kids in the final-round series. McMann has made seven straight World Teams. She was a 2003 World silver medalist and 2005 World bronze medalist.
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Nor Cal Grappling League Presents “No Man Standing II” by Lance Campbell
The NorCal Grappling League is a non-profit professional grappling league that is dedicated to bringing the highest level of wrestling, submissions, Greco Roman, and ju-jitsu to the public. Based out of Merced, CA and founded by Sammy Rangel, Rachelle Abril and Deanne Ruelas, the league really took the Central Valley by storm when they elected fellow MMA enthusiast Frank Hodges to oversee operations as president of the league. The NorCal Grappling League offers a different atmosphere then the average grappling tournament and are dedicated to displaying the true art of ground fighting. Utilizing a single mat format, all matches are then broadcasted on two giant monitor screens to give the fans a clear view and really personalize the experience. The N.C.G.L. also brings back the old tournament style of MMA. Each event brings together eight of the best grapplers in there respected weight classes for a double elimination tournament to determine “The Last Man Standing”. The winner of the tournament is then crowned division champion and awarded $500 and a division belt. It also guarantees them a shot at their respected division grappling championship usually billed as a “super fight”. In only its first year the N.C.G.L. has already made an immediate impact, but the best thing about this league besides their awesome events and participants is that all the proceeds raised from every event are then put back into the community through Non-Profit Organizations dedicated to reaching our youth.
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- June 22 Missouri Valley Judo and Sombo Championships Kansas City, Kansas
- September 7-8 FILA World Sombo Championships Antalya, Turkey
- October 7 ASA 4th Annual North American Freestyle Sambo Championships Rahway, NJ
- November 24-25 FILA World Cup Nice, France
For more information about upcoming USAW Sombo events please contact Lance Campbell, USSA Vice President at: teamusa@sombo.us or visit http://sombo.us/events.htm, or http://themat.com. For more
information on ASA sanctioned
events go to:
http://ussambo.com/
- From U.S. Sombo with a littler editing from us (color, highlights, etc...)
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