Revolution tournament victories mark growth of SBG in Montana

As Straight Blast Gym celebrates the opening of new locations in Bigfork and Missoula, they sent 20 competitors to the Revolution XXXV Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Tournament in Tacoma, Washington, on Nov. 4 and 5. This marked a special event for SBG’s teams in Montana as athletes from all four locations came together to compete and support each other in the event.

Head Coach Travis Davison opened the first location in Kalispell in 2008, and in that time he has opened other Montana locations and led athletes to tournaments throughout the West.

Davison said of the tournament, “SBG opened its first location in Montana nine years ago this December. We are now in four different cities including Kalispell, Whitefish, Bigfork, and Missoula. This past weekend all four of our locations were represented at the Revolution Tournament in Tacoma and had athletes earning gold medals. In total we sent 20 competitors from Montana and earned 11 gold medals, 7 silver, and 4 bronze!”

SBG Bigfork Head Coach Cody Bessette was one of the 20 competitors from Montana to take home 22 medals. Bessette, a blue belt, won gold in the Master’s division, gold in the Men’s Intermediate No-Gi, and bronze in the Absolute Division.

Bessette trained at SBG Montana before opening the location in Bigfork. He praised his tribe’s admirable performance at the tournament. “Our Tribe doesn’t just build top-notch competitors. We build well-rounded, respectful people who are willing to step out of their comfort zone to better themselves through adversity. The competition was strong in Tacoma, and I am looking forward to going back to represent SBG in the future.”

Coach Daniel DiStefano from SBG North in Whitefish prepared his students for the tournament, while training to compete himself. DiStefano shared of his experience, “SBG consistently shows that our small-town Montana team builds elite competitors. I had been chomping at the bit to compete, and knowing that I prepare with such a talented team made it much easier to step on the mats and perform to my potential. It was fun to grab the gold, and I look forward to the next challenge.”

For more information about Straight Blast Gym, visit www.sbgmontana.com.

Team Results:

Paul Downing - Men’s White Belt - SBG North

Erik Lorona - Masters White Belt Gold & Beginner No-Gi Silver - SBG North

Daniel DiStefano - Masters Brown Belt Gold - SBG North

Owen Dodrill - Kids Grey Belt & Beginner No-Gi -SBG North

Tanner Downing - Beginner No-Gi Gold - SBG North

Bella Downing - Kids Yellow Belt & Intermediate No-Gi - SBG North

Hayden Knaurer - Kids Yellow Belt Gold & Intermediate No-Gi Gold - SBG North

Patrick Brooks - Men’s White Belt & Beginner No-Gi - SBG Montana

Sierra Benjamin - Women’s Blue Belt Silver - SBG Montana

Ricky Davison - Men’s Blue Belt & Men’s Intermediate No-Gi Gold – SBG Montana

Bryn Andersen - Kids Grey Belt & Beginner No-Gi Silver - SBG Montana

Angela Wieczorek - Women’s White Belt Silver & Women’s Beginner No-Gi Gold - SBG Missoula

Colton Wieczorek - Kids Yellow Belt & Intermediate Silver No-Gi - SBG Missoula

Lakoda Wieczorek - Kids Yellow Belt Gold & Intermediate No-Gi Gold - SBG Missoula

Cayden Wieczorek - Kids Yellow Belt Bronze & Intermediate No-Gi Silver - SBG Missoula

Kalijah Wieczorek - Kids Yellow Belt Bronze & Intermediate No-Gi Silver - SBG Missoula

Keara Wieczorek - Kids grey belt Bronze & Beginner No Gi - SBG Missoula

Cody Bessette - Masters Blue Belt Gold, Men’s Absolute Blue Belt Bronze, & Men’s Intermediate No-Gi Gold - SBG Bigfork