DLSU Jiu Jitsu continues to make waves

One of the more silent athletic teams in the University, the DLSU Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Organization is making waves across the country with their young fighters competing on different levels. DLSU Alumni and currently a Blue belt holder in Jiu-Jitsu, Coach Juan Rico “JR” Rulloda together with team captain Abigail Limbonhai, head the team in different stages and competitions.

Making noise

The team has been silently bagging medals in various Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) tournaments in the Philippines. Head coach JR Rulloda contributed five gold, two silver, and four bronze medals to cap-off his 2014 season. In addition to his BJJ career, Rulloda is currently the number one fighter in the pinweight division of the Academy Fighting Championship (AFC).

Limbonhai on the other hand, took home five gold, three silver, and two bronze medals to end last season. Limbonhai has been shocking the Philippine BJJ scene as a true competitor despite her relatively smaller size against other women in her division.

Other key members of the team are Allen De Leon and Luigi Jacinto who have given DLSU BJJ several medals as well in other tournaments.

“Student-athlete”

Rulloda also acknowledges that all of his fighters have their academic-related responsibilities to attend to. “Of course as a coach you want your students to do extremely well, but not at the expense of their academics. These guys have to put their studies first, that’s why there are times my students can’t train. I understand, but that’s about it. It’s either you go to school, or you train,” Rulloda comments.

Besides her success as one of the top female contenders in her division, Limbonhai also gives her insights on being a student and an athlete at the same time, “We’re called student athletes, so the term itself says student first. So, we have to put academics first before anything else. What really challenges us is dedicating most of our time for both areas.”

Towards improvement

Being one of the key members on the team, Limbonhai serves as a role model for most members with her winning ways and work ethic as an overall fighter. “Keep on training and competing. Win or lose, just keep training. Whether you’re upset because you couldn’t get the technique right, just keep training,” she explains her advice to other members of the team.

BJJ as a martial art takes a large amount of time investment. Fighters under the art find it hard to adapt to the environment they are in and the amount of techniques that can be absorbed. Meanwhile, last season’s recruits have been given the taste of competition that serves as an experience for them. This allows new members to improve on their overall game and eventually compete in higher-level tournaments.

On the other hand, Coach Rulloda has other challenges as the team’s prime pillar. He mentions that one of DLSU-BJJ’s challenges right now are students showing up to training schedules. “The most important aspect for me is attendance, because you’re not going to learn Jiu-Jitsu if you’re just at home. It’s hard coming off the holiday season, having a taste of that long rest. But if you really want to get that championship, it takes hard work,” Rulloda adds.

Future plans

Coming this summer, the DLSU BJJ team looks to compete in one of Asia’s most prestige tournament—the Pan Asian competition. Jiu-Jitsu teams from various countries come to the Philippines in hopes of making a name in the sport.

In terms of preparation for the Pan Asian’s, the team is looking to make necessary adjustments with the guidance of veteran fighter Limbonhai. “The team is slowly preparing. They are learning new techniques and polishing the old ones,” says the multi-awarded female competitor. With less than four months left to establish a game plan, DLSU BJJ’s fighters are settling in inch-by-inch and refreshing their games.

Limbonhai also adds that the team’s key to success is to keep training and play with heart.

However, the team’s coach has different things in mind. Rulloda points out the overwhelming talent his students have, and what could be lacking. He talks about the balance that the team has to absorb ultimately. “You really need to have a good balance between fear and courage, this is what keeps you afloat. That’s what you have to face within yourself,” says Rulloda.

“The hardest part of being a Jiu-Jitsu fighter is facing yourself. I’ve been competing since 2008 and until today, I still get very nervous. It’s that uncertainty that you have to face each time you step on the mats. You can’t get too comfortable without knowing your opponents capabilities, it’s the uncertainty that keeps me pushing myself and the guys on my team,” Rulloda concludes.