Double gold for Murphy at Paris Open

Point Blank Gym head instructor, Tim Murphy, made a triumphant return to active competition this past weekend winning double gold at the IBJJF Paris International Open Championship.

Murphy, a previous regular on the competition scene, was side-lined early last year with a serious ACL injury. The subsequent surgery and months of rehab meant Tim had not competed since winning a silver medal in the European No-Gi Championship in Rome in 2015.

First up for Tim was the gi division on Saturday. Tim made short work of the Semi-Final match-up securing numerous guard passes to win a comfortable points victory. In the final, Murphy didn’t have it so easy having to deal with a frustrating worm guard for the majority of the match. Eventually freeing himself, Murphy attempted a Bernardo Faria style over/under pass to kneebar, in the ensuing scramble his opponent spun away and presented his back to Murphy, the match ended with Tim digging in for a choke, having secured enough points for victory.

On the Sunday it was the no-gi and a chance at another medal. In the semi-final Murphy opened strong with a double leg takedown, his opponent attempted to reverse it but in doing so left an opening for Tim to secure a sweep. His opponent, defending a back-take, attempted an unorthodox armlock but Murphy managed to free himself to see out the match four point to zero and progress to the final.

Murphy started strong again in the final scoring a takedown and almost secured a back-take but in doing so both competitors rolled out of bounds. It was a cagey affair from there on out with Murphy, up by points and numerous advantages, weary of a takedown attempt. In the closing seconds his opponent made his move attempting a throw but Murphy defended well and finish the match in mount to secure a deserved victory.

Speaking after the final on Sunday Mr. Murphy said “for a time there after the surgery even getting back on the mat seemed a far way off so to be back competing and to medal again is certainly very satisfying”.