Long Beach, CA — This past weekend on the Queen Mary, parked in harbor in Long Beach, the women’s strawweight tournament was a big story at Submissions on the Shore. But there were other competitors in action at the jiu-jitsu event as well, including a superfight featuring Kirsten Kuhar facing Ava Shaw.
The match was over is just ten seconds, with Kuhar getting her hand raised.
Speaking to Cageside Press after the event, Kuhar reflected on a fight that was, in essence, shorter than her warm-up. “I was really warmed up. I just hate going into a tournament super cold, so I think I was on it about that,” she said. “It was awesome. I stuck to the game plan, the same game plan my boyfriend and I have been working on for the past three months, just being prepared for this. And it worked.”
The fact that the opening was just right there immediately was certainly something to celebrate. But it’s also a testament to her preparation, during which she ensured her body would be ready.
“I felt like during this roll— usually I overthink things, but this time I really focused on my breathing so the nerves wouldn’t get me,” she explained. “I just feel like my body did the work. It’s all the reps I’ve been working on, drilling twice a day for six days a week. I feel like that really showed.”
Even if her body wasn’t ready for it, Kuhar added, at least her body would be. She even took to utilizing yoga to help with her balance. In this case, yoga with weights. “Warrior 1, 2, and 3. Goddess pose. Holding those squats with weights. Doing jumping squats.” It’s repetitive motions, with complete control, she said. “Versus being reckless when you’re rolling.”
“I think technique is just really important,” she later added.
Watch our full interview with Kirsten Kuhar above!
