Eric Cong Phan from Toronto, Canada made a big impression at this year’s Europeans when he took the gold medal at light feather, purple belt adult. He has a very energetic style of BJJ and we look forward to see him make a big impact in the purple belt division this year:
1. Hi Eric, can you please introduce yourself to the BJJ Community of Eastern Europe?
Hello, my name is Eric Cong Phan. I’m an 18 year old Purple Belt training in Toronto/Canada at Open Mat BJJ.
2. Please tell us about your Jiu-Jitsu story
I started training BJJ in July 2010 at Toronto BJJ. I loved it right away and decided to compete for the first time with less than a month of training and got my first gold medal. I went to my first World Championship in 2011 with 10 months of training and took 3rd place. I took silver at worlds nogi the same year and silver at worlds gi 2012. I moved to Open Mat BJJ in January 2013 and started training with Ostap M, Darson Hemmings and a bunch of other small technical guys.
3. You have really blown up on the North American competition scene in the past years taking gold medals left and right. What triggered your success?
I think that my success got triggered when my bjj game started to mature more training with the guys/girls at openmat. One person who really helped me out was Darson Hemmings.
4.How would you describe your BJJ style?
I would describe my bjj style like a spring bouncing back and forth.
5. Please tell us about your academy in Canada, Open Mat BJJ.
The academy is great because everyone shares knowledge to each other and that’s what makes everyone’s game to keep evolving. We got a lot of small guys to spar with at open mat so its really good training.
Eric with his instructor Elliot Bayev
6. Last weekend, you got a gold medal at the IBJJF European Open. Please guide us through your matches.
I competed in the Purple Adult Light Feather division. My first match I went for my signature leg drag and got the back and won by bow & arrow choke. My Second match I won by leg drag again and taking the back and scoring 6 advantages. In my semi finals I faced Hiago Gama. He grand slammed at blue belt light feather 2013. I got my leg drag on him mid match and took his back and ended up submitting him by bow and arrow. In my finals I won 3 advantages to zero against another great competitor Matheus Gonzaga
7. What is next for you and your team in 2014?
The next goal for me is to win the Pans and the team goal is to create the most elite canadian bjj team.
8. If you want to thank somebody or sponsors, feel free
I want to thank Gi Tak which is my kimono sponsor VHTS (www.veryhardtosubmit.com), open mat bjj & my training partners!
9. Thanks Eric and all the best!
Thank you. OSSS!!
