Outstanding young Jiu Jitsu fighters Colby Thicknesse and Jayden Bojlevski have claimed a title just one level under a world crown after winning the Pan Pac Championship in Melbourne recently.
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The pair were crowned champions in the biggest Jui Jitsu event of the year to confirm their stature of Australia’s best fighters in their age group and division.
Eleven-year-old Jayden won the 11 years 42kg All Belts title, while 16-year-old Colby took out the 17 years 64kg Blue Belt.
Jayden won three fights on his way to the Pan Pac crown, while Colby is the reigning NSW champion and competed in a straight five minute final.
Both fighters have been doing Jiu Jitsi and wrestling disciplines for three years and train out of the Freestyle Fighting Gym at Windang.
Colby is based at Lake South, and Jayden at Port Kembla, with the young fighters devoted to their sport and spending five days a week undertaking sessions with their trainer Joe Lopez.
The pair want to be the best fighters possible, with Colby’s ambition being to fight professionally in the American-based Ultimate Fighting Championship, which has become a sporting phenomena.
‘’His long-term goal is the UFC but he is 16 and two years away from being allowed to fight in a cage,’’ Colby’s father Tony said.
‘’He is using these next couple of years to improve his technique and with the support of Joe and others just wants to keep improving.’’
Colby only found out the night before the Pan Pac final he was to face top West Australian teenager Cody Haddon in the five minute title decider and said he had one of his best bouts.
‘’It was tough but I was able to win on points 17-0 which was very satisfying,’’ Colby said.
‘’Cody was the Pan Pac champion the past two years and a worthy opponent. To get the title is huge and I want it to be a stepping stone towards my development and hopefully one day getting into the UFC.’’
At just 16 Colby has had around 70-80 bouts, including amateur wrestling fights.
‘’There’s many sacrifices to make but the main thing is to keep improving.’’
UFC received a huge boost last weekend with 56,000 fans turning out for Holly Holm’s stunning knockout of Ronda Rousey.
Colby and Jayden are indebted to Joe Lopez and the staff and facilities at Freestyle Fighting Gym.
Fighting interstate and away from home involves a huge financial burden and Colby’s father Tony says any support for the boys would be most welcome. To back the young champs email Tony at colbybjj@hotmail.com
