FOUR senior members of Chaffey’s Black Belt Academy have had more than a brush with fame after training with former MMA light heavyweight world champion and UFC Hall of Famer Tito Ortiz.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Academy owner Clint Chaffey, Scott Chaffey, Kristie Chaffey and Brayden Johnston have been in Thailand for their annual training pilgrimage in Phuket.
Every year some members of the academy go to Thailand for a fortnight of training.
This year they were lucky enough to train with Ortiz who was there to work on his stand-up fighting, as he is renowned for his wrestling and ground and pound.
“He is huge,” Clint said.
“It was great to watch him train and have the chance to train with him.
“He is a legend.”
While the Chaffeys and Johnston were in Asia, the junior members of the academy were sweeping the floor in two tournaments on the coast.
On August 17, Sam and Jack Paton were at the AMAC tournament in Port Macquarie.
Sam took a first and three seconds and Jack took two fourths, both qualifying for the State Championships in Sydney along with fellow member Caitlin Brooker.
Last weekend the academy came home as the second highest scoring club from the IMAT titles held in Coffs Harbour.
William Bridge scooped the pool with four firsts and a second while Samarah Thrift took three firsts and two seconds.
Kobi Beaton managed three firsts and Lauren Cross three seconds and one first with sister Maddison also taking three seconds to go with a third and a first.
Jane Cohen got a first and two seconds.
Divisions included Continuous Sparring, Kata, Weapons Kata, Point Sparring and Weapons Sparring.
