The first for Aotearoa - brought here by a Haati Naati

New Zealand’s very first submission-only combat sport tournament will take place in Wellington in March and is being bought to New Zealand shores by Ngati Porou’s Anaru Para.

Elemental Events Ltd Director Anaru Para has combined his event management experience with Brazilian-born BJJ black belt and Combat Room Wellington head instructor Vanderson Pires to present ARTAXIAS Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Invitational.

Anaru, born and raised in Gisborne but now residing in Wellington, said the new format would offer an exciting and dynamic event for fighters and spectators.

“Presenting a submission-only wins tournament forces fighters to constantly search for the submission or tap out, rather than rely on points to win the match,” Anaru said.

“The format is considered to be ‘pure’ BJJ and ARTAXIAS will be the first combat sport tournament in New Zealand to do away with a points scoring system.”

Co-organiser Vanderson Pires says the selection of the fighters was made based on their current status as being the best fighters in New Zealand.

“We selected and invited fighters that are currently at the top of their game in terms of BJJ. They are currently the best in New Zealand and each match up is sure to offer a dynamic display of technique and skill,” Mr Pires said.

“We also have highly ranked Australian fighters travelling to compete in the tournament.”

Anaru said that as with most combat sports in New Zealand, Maori representation in the event is extremely high.

“One third of the fighters are of Maori descent and hail  from many iwi across Aotearoa. Ngati Porou will be represented by Rion Hakiwai, whose mother is from home,” Anaru said.

ARTAXIAS will have fighters from black, purple, brown and blue belt levels and both gi and no gi matches. Fighters include Sydney-based Alex Scott, Auckland-based Jonathan Bell, Nelson-based Marcelo Lopes and Whakatane-based Brad Kora.

Established by Brazil’s Gracie family, BJJ is the ‘ground work’ for Mixed Martial Arts.

Unlike many other combat sports, it takes a person an average of 10+ years to go from a beginner’s white belt to an expert black belt and moving through the belts can only be gained by consistently demonstrating excellence in the technique and skill expected for that particular level.

“The exciting and often underestimated thing about BJJ is that competitors are not advantaged by being bigger or stronger than their opponent. It is all based on the competitors ability to leverage body weight, attack, counter attack and predict the movements of their opponents,” Mr Pires said.

“It has been likened to a physical game of chess.”

ARTAXIAS Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Invitational Saturday 14 March 2015 6pm – 10.30pm Te Rauparaha Arena, Porirua.

For more information, go to ARTAXIAS – Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Invitational on facebook or phone Gabrielle Para on 027 967 0094.