![ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENT: Greg Burton [left] was awarded a brown belt by his professor, Donavin Scott, after winning gold at the 2023 International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation World No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu Championship last week.](https://www.vmcdn.ca/f/files/powellriverpeak/images/sports/2911_burton_1.jpg;w=960;h=640;bgcolor=000000)
A former qathet region resident became a world title holder at the 2023 International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) World No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu Championship, which was held from December 7 to 9, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Greg Burton grew up in Powell River and attended J.P. Dallos Elementary, Oceanview Junior Secondary, Westview Alternate and Max Cameron Senior Secondary schools. His mother, Shirley Storey, still resides in qathet Regional District.
Burton, who now lives in Lake Country, BC, and trains out of Lake Country BJJ, claimed gold in the ultra-heavyweight (215-pounds or greater), Master’s 3 (41 to 46 year-old) purple belt class. He was awarded his brown belt on the podium, following his win, by his professor Donavin Scott.
Burton scored three dominant wins, with zero points scored against him over the course of three matches. In his second match, he handled a much-larger opponent, who was 6’5” and in excess of 350 pounds.
In the final, he earned redemption over a competitor who beat him by a 0-0 referee decision in the final of the IBJJF No-Gi Pan American Championship earlier this year in Fort Worth, Texas.
“BJJ has been such a monumentally positive part of my life,” said Burton. “It keeps me active and motivates me to live a healthier lifestyle. Powell River has an excellent club, under Nic and Raph Ouellet, and I highly recommend training BJJ for sport or self-defence, regardless of your age or stature.”
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