Ireland's premier jiu-jitsu player happy to pass on his expertise

Denzil Pinto 22:07 24/04/2017
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  • When it comes to jiu-jitsu in Ireland, then there’s no name more synonymous than Chris Bowe.

    With more than a decade of experience under his belt, the 32-year-old black belt competitor has made a name for himself in his native homeland and it’s not just down to his medal collection.

    While his trophy cabinet includes multiple World and European Championship medals, as well as his first silver (110kg) at the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship (ADWPJJC) on Saturday, teaching the tricks of the game as head coach at his Gracie Barra Dublin gym remains one of his priorities.

    And it’s definitely not easy considering he’s juggling life as a full-time PE teacher at Drimnagh Castle Secondary School and being a husband to wife Magba and father to their three-year-old daughter.

    “I have a very forgiving wife who allows me to go straight from my work as a teacher, to my gym and teach until 11pm at night most of the time,” said the Dundrum-based grappler.

    “She puts up with it all the time although I have cut down on the hours in the gym on weekends so I can spend more family time.

    “Usually my family wouldn’t come to Abu Dhabi for the World-Pro but I promised them that this year I would bring them along and it was great to have their support.”

    His participation at the ADWPJJC came at a perfect time for Bowe. The school was closed for the Easter holidays, presenting another chance to add to his ever-growing trophy cabinet.

    A veteran of the ADWPJJC for six years, it was only a matter of time before he claimed a medal, but he admittedly surprised himself by winning silver in the 110kg final.

    “To be honest, not a long of people at the school know that I’m a jiu-jitsu athlete,” he said. “I don’t tell the kids and some only find out because they’ve seen something on YouTube or Instagram. When they do ask, then that’s when I tell them. Some of them say they can still beat me but it’s good to know they are interested.”

    Since opening his gym on Dundrum’s main street in 2012, it has become the hotspot for potential jiu-jitsu athletes.

    “The sport is becoming more popular especially combat sports with Conor McGregor competing in UFC,” he said. “Jiu-jitsu has its place and is now becoming really popular. When I first started training jiu-jitsu, there were just three gyms where you could train in Dublin but now there around 20 in the city alone.

    “What makes me more proud is that some of my students have opened their own gyms elsewhere in the UK. I encouraged them to do that and that is good for their development which enhances the profile of the sport in Ireland.

    “Now I’m black belt, I’m not looking to get as many world titles as possible. I will continue taking each fight as it comes and give me best.”

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