Abu Dhabi beckons as Sophie Cox secures UAE world Jiu Jitsu chance

Sophie Cox won Gold at The British National Pro Championships in the adult blue belt u-62k category

Double judo Olympian Sophie Cox has won an all-expenses paid trip to compete in the UAE Pro Jiu Jitsu World Championships in Abu Dhabi in April.

The British National Pro Championships, held in the Sports Dock Centre at the University of East London, are part of the UAE JJF World Ranking and Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu Jitsu qualifying series.

Fighting in the adult blue belt u-62k category, Sophie won gold, and then triumphed again in the open weight to clinch her chance at world glory.

Sophie said: “This was a really tough international competition and I faced quality opponents from Sweden, Greece and Poland as well as some top GB women.

"I had won at the European IBJJF Masters in Lisbon in January, but Saturday saw me returning to the adult bracket for the first time since 2012. I would need to prove that at 35 I could still sustain the intensity of elite contest against younger talented opponents.

"Even after three year of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu I am still relatively inexperienced, though obviously my judo pedigree is an advantage, even against full time BJJ international opposition.

“Since the London Olympics, I’ve been developing seminars for MMA fighters, demonstrating the value of judo take-downs in BJJ. The two points on offer for a takedown might seem insignificant, but they can be crucial in getting a physical and psychological edge at the beginning of a contest.

"On Saturday I was really pleased to put into practice what I have been preaching. In all my five fights, I completed an initial takedown, and then went on to dominate in the grappling.”

After a 7 - 0 victory in her weight category semi-final, Sophie, competing under Factory BJJ Stockport accreditation, came up against the favourite Klaudia Mitko (Zlomiarz team) from Poland, who had already convincingly won her first three bouts.

Sophie got an early two-point advantage with a drop shoulder takedown and then managed to get a submission with a kimura (shoulder) lock to win the gold medal. This qualified her for the open weight category.

She said: “Although I had two tough opponents from Sweden and GB to overcome in the Absolute (open weight), I was certain that in the final I would again come up against Klaudia. I was right, and I also knew that only the winner would get sponsorship for the Abu Dhabi World Championships. So, this was a real crunch match.

"There was a gladiatorial atmosphere for the final, with team Poland giving strong verbal support.

"Once again, I was successful with a judo takedown for a two-point score, and then the contest developed into a bruising grappling encounter.

"One vital improvement I have made over the last year in my contest management has been to learn the value of patience. By being patient, I was able to secure and keep pressure on my opponent throughout the fight.

"That two-point takedown was the only score, and it won me the gold medal, championship title, and sponsorship for the world championships.

“This was an exhausting, challenging and ultimately rewarding competition.

"It was especially worthwhile to win at the University of East London, just down the road from the Olympic Park, as I studied there during my preparation for the London Olympics. Some great memories came flooding back when I entered the foyer and spotted my photo on the UEL Wall of fame.

"Five years ago, I competed as a fully funded, full time athlete. Now I’m really proud of being able to juggle coaching and teaching commitments with a busy family life as a wife and [mother of an] 18-month-old son, and fitting in the odd personal training session or two.

"There is still a great buzz to competing and succeeding at elite level.

"I’m looking forward to the World Championships, which has a superb schedule in what promises to be an event to be remembered., and to know that I could just grapple my way to a world gold medal: that’s the target.”