Summit Grappling Triumphs in London

Summit Grappling Academy’s Junior and Senior Competition Squads made their mark at the IBJJF London International Open last weekend.

The squads delivered outstanding performances and bringing home an impressive collection of medals—plus a team trophy!

The event took place over the weekend at the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre in London.

Triumph in London

They picked up four gold medals, three silver and three bronze medals, and in the teen division won a third place trophy.

Current IBJJF European Champion Hanako Henson entered the tournament determined to prove she’s one of the best in her division.

A nervous start saw her suffer a quick submission loss in her opening match after underestimating her opponent.

However, thanks to the bracket system, she had another shot at the final. Resetting her focus, Hanako bounced back with a dominant points victory.

When she faced her initial opponent again in the final, she completely flipped the script—adapting her strategy, controlling the match, and ultimately securing victory via submission from mount.

A true display of resilience and determination, Hanako was crowned IBJJF London Champion!

Calm and Clinical

Known for his composed approach, Junior competitor Alan Greenhalgh showcased his ever-improving skills throughout the tournament.

Even when he lost a dominant position, he quickly regained control, transitioning seamlessly to better positions and submission attempts.

His semi-final performance was particularly impressive, as he built a 17-0 point lead before finishing with a submission.

The final was more challenging, with Alan stuck in a tough position for some time, but he stayed patient, broke free, and scored the points needed to claim gold and the IBJJF London Champion title.

A Perfect Execution

Competing in just his second tournament—his first being the IBJJF Lisbon Open, where he won gold in October—Marc Purcell demonstrated his dedication and preparation.

Sticking to his game plan, he controlled his matches flawlessly, racking up points without conceding any.

His final saw him execute a textbook side control choke submission, securing yet another gold medal.

A Strong Return to London

After sustaining an injury in September that kept her out of competition for six months, Coach Hayley Curtis was eager to return to the mats.

In her weight division final, she fought a close match but narrowly missed out on gold.

Undeterred, she entered the Absolute (Open Weight) division, where she stepped up her game and secured silver with a strong semi-final performance.

With three tournaments already in the books this year, Summit Grappling Academy is gearing up for its next challenge—a mixed Junior and Senior Squad competition in Manchester this March.