Gwilt goes through pain barrier for title (From Dudley News)

Gwilt goes through pain barrier for title

10:30am Sunday 17th June 2012 in Sport

STUART Gwilt wasn’t going to let a broken finger stop him defending his British title.

The Stourbridge Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu star is celebrating after once more being crowned champion at super-heavyweight.

For the second year running Gwilt moved up from light-heavyweight to compete, though his participation was for a long time in doubt after he broke the middle finger on his right hand.

He said: “Originally I wasn’t going to enter because of my broken finger but some of the other lads at the gym were in training for it and in the end I couldn’t resist.

“I walk around at light-heavy but I already knew a lot of the fighters in that category so I decided to step up again.

“I had to take it a bit easier and I had to be cautious. There were a few techniques and holds I simply couldn’t use.”

Gwilt, who trains and teaches at the Gracie Barra gym in Birmingham, had plenty of spectators to watch his success as the event formed part of the Bodypower show at the city’s National Exhibition Centre.

He added: “We had a lot of spectators walking through from the exhibition during the fights and there was a great atmosphere.

“The finger still hasn’t healed and the doctors are now being pretty strict about me taking a rest — but it was all worth it.”