This past weekend teammates Jonathan Powell and Edgar Bedoya competed at the NABJJF Inland Empire Open. Both competitors earning victories, Jonathan Powell earning Gold as a white belt in the No-Gi, 137lb category. Edgar Bedoya earning Gold as a blue belt in the No-Gi, 167lb category and earning Bronze at in Gi, 163.5lb category.

I got a chance to catch up with both Jonathan and Edgar, I asked Jonathan and Edgar a couple questions about their tournament experience.

Q: How was your prep for the Tournament?

J: It was pretty good, I got to train with some beast at pro practice. That helped me a lot, I felt good.

Q: How did you feel going into the tournament and what are your thoughts on your performance?

J: I wasn’t as nervous as usually be. I came in with a new confidence that I owe to my coach. In my opinion my performance wasn’t my best. I had many chances to finish my matches, but I couldn’t pull the trigger. But your mind works in the same way Jiu-jitsu works. You get one thing down but there’s always something else that needs fixing.

Edgar’s thoughts on his tournament prep and performance

Q: How was your prep for the Tournament?

E: The prep was pretty much the training I do every week. Tuesday and Thursday No-Gi team practice and Gi class, Friday Team Wrestling Practice, And M/W/Sat Weight lifting.

Q: How did you feel going into the tournament and what are your thoughts on your performance?

E: I was confident going in to the tournament because I know I train with the Best Guys at CMMA. I felt the nerves right when I’m going in, but it all goes away after the first touch. I was happy for my 1st place performance but not so happy about my 3rd place in the Gi. I feel like I need to improve still in both Gi and no-Gi if I want to get better.

Q: Specifically speaking what do you think you should have done differently in the Gi contest?

E: I lost my second match by 3 points. I feel like I should’ve pull guard earlier and there was a point where I had an armbar and I should’ve used it to get to mount and secure points.

– Written by Erik Reyes