A pair of mats, more than 80 Brazilian jiu jitsu participants, professional referees and, of course, ample amounts of perspiration.
The ninth annual Battle of the Bay is Saturday at the venerable if not muggy Hilo Armory, where it’s OK to let them see you sweat.
On a vacation to the Big Island years ago, event organizer Chris Smith saw a surge potential for Brazilian jiu jitsu here, and he hasn’t been disappointed, particularly at the keiki level.
“The explosive growth in the kids’ participation is exceptional,” said Smith, who splits his time teaching the mixed martial art between Waimea and Santa Cruz, Calif. “The future is very strong for BJJ on the Big Island.
“Less than 10 years ago there were no BJJ events on the Big Island. Following the inaugural Battle of the Bay, there are now five events islandwide.”
That includes the Kona Open Championship, which was held last Sunday at Kealakehe and is part of the Hawaii Triple Crown series.
Smith refers to BJJ – which centers on grappling and ground fighting – as the “gentle art.”
He credited professor Kim Terra of Penn BJJ for his impact on promoting the sport to keiki, and BJ Penn is a role model as well. In 2000, Penn was the first non-Brazilian to win the black belt division of the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship in 2000.
“Many athletes competed last week and (are) again this weekend,” Smith said. “That kind of exposure will bring great results.
“Our local events are paving the way for these ambitious athletes to travel far and wide.”
One such athlete is Jesiah Conol of Roma BJJ in Hilo. Conol finished second in an international kids competition in August in Las Vegas.
Adults will get on on the action as well Saturday with the competition beginning at 10 a.m.