In a remarkable display of composure and martial arts mastery, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Chris Bower found himself in a real-life self-defense scenario after landing in Auckland, New Zealand, following a grueling 23-hour flight. While many travelers might have sought rest after such an exhausting journey, Bower decided to explore the city, unknowingly walking into a situation that would test his skills outside the dojo.
As Bower walked through the bustling streets of Auckland, a would-be robber, described as desperate and unhinged, charged at him, demanding money. Despite the fatigue from his long flight, Bower quickly assessed the situation and attempted to create distance, hoping to avoid a physical confrontation. He called out to nearby pedestrians, hotel staff, and even a bus driver, pleading for someone to alert the authorities. However, to his dismay, his calls for help were met with indifference, leaving him with no choice but to rely on his years of BJJ training.
Recognizing the escalating threat, Bower strategically entered a nearby coffee shop, hoping to find someone who could assist. But the attacker, undeterred, followed him inside, leaving Bower with no alternative but to take action. Drawing upon his extensive background in wrestling and Jiu-Jitsu, Bower executed a flawless double-leg takedown, transitioning to top side control before securing the attacker’s back. In a decisive move, he used the assailant’s own flannel shirt to apply a choke, rendering the attacker unconscious and neutralizing the threat without inflicting serious harm.
As Bower restrained the unconscious attacker in a controlled mount position, bystanders, who had initially ignored his pleas for help, began to intervene, attempting to pull him off the subdued man. Despite the chaotic scene, Bower remained calm and informed the onlookers of his credentials as a BJJ black belt, assuring them that he had the situation under control.
Reflecting on the incident, Bower shared his experience on social media, emphasizing the unpredictability of such encounters and the importance of self-defense training. “New Zealand is supposed to be one of the safest cities in the world. You never know where or when some drugged-out lunatic is going to attack you,” he wrote. “Keep your head on a swivel. Go train!”
This incident serves as a powerful reminder of the value of martial arts training, not just for competition but for real-world situations where the ability to remain calm and composed under pressure can make all the difference. Bower, who is the owner and head coach at Bower House MMA in Maryland, has spent years honing his skills, both on the mats and in competition, and his quick thinking and expert execution in Auckland underscore the importance of being prepared for the unexpected.
As the police arrived, they found the situation fully under control, thanks to Bower’s expertise. The attacker, now subdued, was handed over to the authorities, while Bower’s actions went viral, further highlighting the significance of self-defense skills in everyday life.
“After a 23 hour flight to Auckland, New Zealand, I decided to walk the city. A deranged lunatic charged towards me demanding my money. Not knowing if he had a weapon, I backed away to create space. He started to chase after me. I asked many bystanders, hotel, staff, and bus driver to call Police as some man was chasing me trying to rob me. Everyone ignored me. I decided to enter Cafe at Bayleys Coffee Shop to ask them to call the Police. They were the only people to help. The man followed me into the coffee shop and attacked me. I blast double legged him, secured top side control, took his back and then choked him unconscious with his flannel shirt. While he was unconscious, I placed him into the top Mount Position until the Police arrived. Many bystanders initially tried to pull me off the man. You will hear me telling them “I’m a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt, I’m a trained fighter, I have control of the situation.”
”New Zealand is supposed to be one of the safest cities in the World. You never know where or when some dr***ed out lunatic is going to attack you. Keep your head on a swivel. No one us coming to save you. Go train!!!!”
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