Following more than dozen gold medals victories in regional jiu jitsu tournaments over the past two years, Hermosa Valley School student Jean Paul LeBosnoyani, 11, had his most impressive victory yet last month. At the Canadian International Jiu Jitsu Open in Toronto, Jean Paul won gold in both the gi and no gi 11- to 13-year-old divisions, and then won a “Super Fight” against the Canadian 14- 15-year-old gold medalist. (See video at bottom o this post)Jean Paul’s sister Bianca, 9, a Hermosa Valley fourth grader, also brought home two medals – a gold in the no gi division, and a silver in the gi division, while competing up a year, in the 10- to 12-year-old age group.
Jean Paul won all six of his division matches by tap out. He ended his first no gi fight with an arm bar, the second with a rear naked choke and the gold medal match with a triangle choke in just 12 seconds.
In the gi division he used arm bars to win the two preliminary matches and a triangle choke to win the gold medal match.
Following his division wins, he was invited to compete in a Super Fight against Canadian Austin Azzopardi, the gold medalist in the next age group up.
Moments before the fight began the Canadian whispered in Jean Paul’s ear.
The fight then went quickly to the ground. Jean-Paul pulled Austin into the guard and attempted a guillotine choke. Austin escaped but was pulled back into the guard. During a fight for control on the ground, Jean-Paul twice attempted an arm bar, but without success. The entire four minute fight was a battle for advantage. Just after the two minute mark, Jean-Paul secured a triangle choke, locking his legs around the Canadian’s neck. Austin responded by bucking Jean Paul to the left and right and in the process ended up in a mount and then back in the guard, all the while still in a triangle choke.
Then, seconds before the end of the four minute match, while the crowd was shouting tips and encouragement, Jean Paul grabbed Austin’s arm and executed a double armbar/triangle choke. Still, Austin refused to tap and the fight ended with Jean Paul being awarded the win on points.
Following the match, Jean Paul’s father and trainer, Nono LeBosnoyani asked his son what Austin had said to him before the match.
“He told me we are both division winners. There are no losers in this match,” the Canadian had told him, Jean Paul said.
“That,” his father responded, “is what it means to be a martial arts fighter.” ER
