My first competition at blue belt (not entirely deliberately — I’d signed up pre-promotion).

Won my first on points: having done a reasonable job of denying the guard pass, I hit a nice sweep and carried the momentum through to mount. Tried for a cross-collar choke and got reversed. But, at that point, there just wasn’t time for my opponent to make a comeback.

Lost the second to an armbarm. After he pulled guard I worked to pass for a while, but didn’t make substantial progress. Then he swept me and it all went downhill from there. Much to work on.

Although it was a bit accidental, it was good to get my first comp at blue out of the way and I’m happy to have survived the experience. Competing a level up from before is always slightly nerve-racking. A small, friendly, but extremely well run competition was the perfect entry.