Polish juggernaut Sebastian Szyszka trains out of Gracie Barra Preston, UK under Lucio Sergio Dos Santos. He is one of the top purple belt heavyweights on the European circuit. Inthis interview with BJj Eastern Europe, Sebastian talks about his instructor, his tough training regimen for the 2014 worlds, plans for the future and more:

Hi Sebastian, can you please introduce yourself to the BJJ Community of Eastern Europe? 

Hi. My name is Sebastian Szyszka. I’m 29 years of age. Originaly I am from Poland but I have lived in the UK for 9 years. I live in the town
of Blackpool and I train BJJ in neighbouring city Preston- Gracie Barra Preston. My main achievements so far (I’ve only trained for 3 years)
are-
1. Gold medal at IBJJF London International Open 2012, heavy weight, blue belt
2. Silver medal at IBJJF Rome International Open 2013, medium heavy, blue belt
3. Silver medal at IBJJf NoGi European Championships Rome 2013, blue belt (lost in the final by 1 advantage)
4. Gold medal at World Pro Abu Dhabi Dhabi Trials Birmingham 2014, medium heavy, purple belt
5. Silver medal in the absolute division at World Pro Abu Dhabi Trials Birmingham 2014 (lost in the final by referee decision)

Please tell us about your Jiu-Jitsu story and how you started training etc how you ended up living in Blackpool

I started training Jiu Jitsu in a local gym in Blackpool. I was practising just once a week, nogi only. My friend Paul Rice was coaching me.
He was a purple belt at the time. Mainly I was doing weights. BJJ was just a part time fun. I was big and strong lol 2 main reasons why I started
training full time was-
First of all- After a few months practising I managed to win my first nogi competition in the beginners division. I actually smashed the comp. Won all my
fights by submission. I thought I was quiet good until I met a guy called PIotr Podstawczuk. 2 times FILA nogi World Champion at 65 kg. When
I saw the “little man” for the first time I thought- “I’m gonna crush this guy”. Well I was wrong. Piotr taught me a lesson! He kicked my ass.
Basically all I managed to do was tapout after tapout.. LOL
Second of all- meeting my current coach and an inspiration Prof. Lucio Sergio Dos Santos. He came once to train with us in Blackpool as he was
Paul Rice’s coach. After rolling with this guy I realised how effective BJJ was and I decided to focus on this sport so I started training full time
with the gi. I actually began travelling to the neighbouring city of Preston where Prof. Lucio Sergio coaches at Gracie Barra Preston.

Sebastian and Lucio Sergio

You are a frequent competitor had a great 2013/2014 season so far. What triggered your success?
How would you describe your BJJ style?

Thanks, well yeah, I’m actually very happy with my performance so far. My recipe for success is first and foremost hard work and dedication!

Tell us about your training regimen for comps

I train Jiu Jitsu 4 times a week. 2 sparring only classes (hardcore and 2 normall classes where We learn and drill techniques plus sparring. Besides, I still do weights. I also do
loads of cardio, mainly running. 3 weeks before comps I do sprints on a treadmill or sand dunes.
Please tell us about the similarities and differences between the BJJ scenes in the UK and Poland. Polish BJJ ranks as among the best in Europe.
What explains the fact that Poles are so good at BJJ?

Hmm Can’t really say much about the similarities and diffrences as like I mentioned before I’ve lived in the UK for 9 years and I’ve been only donig BJJ
for 3 years. However I agree with you that there is some great Polish practitioners.

What is next for you and your team in 2014?

My next goal is the IBJJF World Championships in California in June. I would also like to compete in Rome where most of my teammates are going to compete but unfortunately as We all know
trips like that are quiet expensive and I can’t afford to compete at every event Actually I’m happy to announce that today I got my first sponsors-
Pit Bull West Coast I’ll do my best in California and hopefully if I do well I might get some new sponsors in the future.

If you want to thank somebody or sponsors, feel free

Yeah sure. First of all I would like to thank Guillaume Huni from BJJ Eastern Europe for making this interview. Your website is sick, you are doing a great job bro! Also special thanks to my
beautifull fiancee Alicja. I wouldn’t do it whitout her. I love Her and our son Seb Junior to bits! I would also like to thank my coaches- Prof.
Lucio Sergio Dos Santos, Prof. Paul Hartley and Prof. Matthew Callaghan and all my BJJ brothers from Gracie Barra Preston! Thank you to my new sponsors-
Pit Bull West Coast. OSSSSSSSS