Gold and Silver’s for TJ McMenamin at London International

Rilion Gracie BJJ fighter & Convoy native TJ McMenamin, has brought another brace of medals back, for the prestigious, IBJJF London Fall International Open, Gi & No-Gi competition, which was held last weekend at Crystal Palace.
On the Saturday Gi event , held on the 15th, TJ won Gold in Masters blue belt medium heavyweight division against a French opponent, and took Silver in the open weight division in the afternoon.
The following day on the 16th, in the Masters No-Gi blue belt heavyweight division, McMenamin fought an Italian opponent, and lost out in a close run final by a refs decision, when the scores were even.
He then took part in the open weight division, and secured Silver in the final, losing out to a French super-heavy weight opponent, by a points decision. Over the course of the weekend TJ fought in seven matches, and secured one gold, and three silver medals for his club Rilion Gracie Ireland BJJ/MMA , based in Old Town, Letterkenny, which is Donegal’s only full time martial arts gym.
It is run by BJJ black belt, Brian Barney Coyle, whom recently received his black belt , after ten plus years of constant training, from Rilion Gracie himself in Miami, whom is the youngest son of Master Carlos Gracie, one of the originators of BJJ.
Brian is only the second Donegal person to hold the prestigious BJJ black belt, with John McAteer from Ramelton being the first.
Other competitors from the club, were active over the weekend as well, at Heat MMA grappling competition in Co. Antrim, with 1 Gold and 3 silver medals secured by the club competitors. Rilion Gracie BJJ/MMA is always welcome to beginners, and runs children’s classes as well.