Overall a fantastic day was had by everyone who attended the Will - Machado Nationals in Wellington on the 9th of December. There was a great turnout from all the Will - Machado schools in New Zealand and it was a fantastic opportunity for everyone to come together in a fun friendly competition environment and test their skills.

With proper timekeeping, including a visible timer, seeded draws done before the competition day and one consistent referee running the mat, the day started out very well. After a quick introduction and thank you from competition host, Geoff Grant, acknowledgement was paid to Michael Gent for his contribution to the Will - Machado organisation in New Zealand.

Michael Gent was the first to bring John Will to New Zealand in 1999 and John traveled the rest of the country bringing BJJ seminars to Geoff Grant in Wellington and Geoff Aitken in Christchurch and the rest is history.

With the draws already in place only a few minor adjustments were needed and the day was underway by 9.30am and all finals finished by 2pm with just under 50 competitors working on one mat it was a very smooth day. With the early finish we were able to run both a White Belt and Blue Belt open. With all fights finished by 5pm it really was a full on day.

As with every competition not everything was plain sailing and there were a couple of hiccups with the draws and a small miss-understanding with one of the scores. 2 competitors were injured during the day with one having to make a trip to the hospital with cracked ribs, we wish Hayden a speedy recovery.

So without further ado, I give you the results from the BJJ NZ Will - Machado Nationals December 9th 2006 at GSW Wellington.

White 60-69.9kg
1st: ANTONY DEVER (TCMA)
2nd: Ray Massa (GSW)
3rd: Rhys Hanratty (TCMA)


White 70-79.9kg
1st: Steve Brasell (GSW)
2nd: Wynne Pirini (GSW)
3rd: Gary McLellan (TCMA)


White 80-89.9kg
1st: Carl Rex (GSW)
2nd: Fran Kora (GSW)
3rd: Marty Houghton (GSW)


White 90-99.9kg
1st: Adrian Smith (GSW)
2nd: Andrew Dynan (TCMA)


White 100+
1st: Morgan Wesche (TCMA)
2nd: Gareth Terry (GC)


Womens Division
1st: Diane Skudder (GC)
2nd: Jill Gower (GSW)
3rd: Inger Craven (GC)


Blue Belt Under 70kg
1st: Michael Hourigan (GSW)
2nd: Richard Wood (TCMA)


Blue Belt 80-89.9kg
1st: Daniel Digby (TCMA)
2nd: Gareth Burke (TCMA)
3rd: Andrew Craven (GC)


Blue Belt 90+kg
1st: Hemi Thomas Pou III (GSW)
2nd: Wayne Michael Perry (TCMA)
3rd: Michael Fooks (GC)


Purple Belt
1st: Shayne Cox (TCMA)
2nd: Scott Benson (Academy of Combat)
3rd: Jason Branks (Academy of Combat)


White belt open division
1st: Scott Lyons (GSW)
2nd: Brendan Pfahlert (GSW)
3rd: Adrian Smith (GSW)

Blue Belt Open Division
1st: Hemi Thomas Pou III (GSW)
2nd: Daniel Digby (TCMA)
3rd: Andrew Craven (GC)

Points awarded:
1st place 3 points
2nd place 2 points
3rd place 1 point

Team Results:
GSW: 33 (competitors 17)
TCMA: 24 (competitors 19)
GC: 9 (competitors 6)
Academy: 3 (competitors 3)