Brazilian jiujitsu practitioners takes part in exhibition match in Karratha to raise money for mental health

One of Australia’s top Brazilian jiujitsu practitioners took part in an exhibition match in Karratha raising $2500 for mental health. Perth’s Jake O’Driscoll travelled to Karratha to hold lessons with members of the local jiujitsu community and took part in a charity match with Renegade Karratha head coach Camerin Coles. The 10-minute match was held under Abu Dhabi Combat Club rules and raised $2500 for Headspace at the time of print. O’Driscoll proved too strong for Coles winning the match by submission. Coles said the idea for the contest came about after both he and O’Driscoll had tournaments cancelled this year because of coronavirus outbreaks. He said it was important to raise awareness for mental health and encourage people to seek help. “You don’t get through troubled times on your own, you get through it with a team, you get through it with a group of people that can help you,” he said. “And what we really wanted to shine a light on in this is that we do this together, this whole jiujitsu journey it’s doing it together, and mental health is no different to that.” O’Driscoll was awarded a “karate kid” trophy for submitting Coles.