Has your favorite Jiu-Jitsu coach started growing a ‘stache’? Have you heard talk in your classes of people competing in the 2023 Movember Superfights competition? Starting in 2003, with 30 men in Australia, the Movember movement was born to improve the discussion around and resources for men’s mental and reproductive health. It has grown over the years to include over 6 million people and fund over 1,250 mens health projects worldwide. It is frequently represented by men growing their mustache for the month of November.
This hit particularly close to home with one of Capital’s own, BJ Ketchem, who received the news that his father was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2012. BJ questioned what he could do to help and came upon the Movember movement. BJ first began raising money while competing in Scottish Highland Games, and his efforts have grown from there.
Last year he took the idea to Coach Chad and Coach Paul from Capital MMA Lorton who immediately bought into the idea and helped put together the first Capital MMA hosted Movember competition. In its initial year it raised over $6,000! This year’s goal is $10,000!
Eight teams will compete in no-gi submission-only style quintets. The teams will set their line ups prior to each round but will not be able to change the line up inside the round, like a baseball lineup. The 5 person team must consist of at least one female fighter and one fighter of each belt level, blue through black. While most of the fighters are from Capital gyms, it is not exclusively an in-house tournament. Fighters will coming from as far north as Pennsylvania and as far south as North Carolina. In total the team may not exceed 800lbs. The team who still has fighters remaining at the end of each round will progress to the next bout. There will be cash prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place teams, and all competitors will receive a Movember Superfight Challenge Coin and sticker set. The event will take place on the 18th of November at Capital MMA Lorton. Doors will open at 9:45AM with fights starting at 10:00AM. All spectator entry cost will be donated directly to the Movember charity.
The event couldn’t be possible without the support of the event sponsors, Annandale EyeCare, BJJ Physio, Spark Physiotherapy, Comfort One Shoes, Forged Athletics, Capital MMA & Elite Fitness, Musa Visual Media, and Incognito Clothes.
By Theron Hollar
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