Oscar Petersen, an up-and-coming Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) talent from Hawke’s Bay, is gearing up for one of the sport’s most prestigious events - the IBJJF (International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation) No-Gi World Championships.
The event, scheduled from December 11 to 14, in Las Vegas is set to attract thousands of competitors to the "Fight Capital of the World," all vying for a shot at a world title.
Oscar is a true testament to the dedication and perseverance required to succeed in martial arts and I caught up with him before he heads off to learn more about his journey, his preparation, and his thoughts on the sport that has shaped his life.
Oscar began his BJJ journey in 2017 when he was 21 years old. Growing up he was drawn to combat sports, competing in Karate from a young age, but BJJ was always a particular interest. Influenced by family members who practiced BJJ and a love for wrestling, Oscar says “I always had a desire to grapple and compete.”
His breakthrough moment came in 2018 when he brought home his first gold medal at a local competition. “Winning that first gold medal made me realise that I could succeed at this level,” he recalls.
Since then, Oscar has accumulated an impressive 20 gold medals, along with several silvers and bronzes, and has competed in over 50 competitions across New Zealand.
The World Championships have always been a goal for Oscar though it wasn’t until this year where things aligned for him to compete.
"I've always wanted to go, but life circumstances never aligned until now. Recently, an opportunity opened up and I put my name forward . I love to set ambitious goals for myself, and the world championships were in my cross hairs,” he explains. While it is a major competition and a privilege to represent his region and country Oscar also views it as an adventure “It’s not just a competition it’s a trip to the fight capital, and an invaluable experience,” he tells me with excitement.
Training for an event of this magnitude requires discipline and focus. Oscar’s weekly training consists of four to five BJJ sessions and two to three strength and conditioning sessions. “I focus on ticking off the boxes in every area - technique, conditioning, and diet,” he explains. He also has to make a small weight cut for the 73.5kg division, but says it’s close to his natural weight, so the process is manageable.
The IBJJF No-Gi World Championships attract some of the highest-level martial artists globally, and Oscar expects tough competition. “The level of competition will be incredibly high, I plan to stand out by going with the flow and staying true to my style,” he says confidently.
Oscar’s preparation has been deeply influenced by the support of his coaches and training partners. Damian Smith, his head coach at Gracie Allegiance Jiu-Jitsu in Hastings, has high expectations for his pupil.
“Oscar has demonstrated exceptional dedication and perseverance for this year’s World Championship, leaving no stone unturned in his training and diet,” says Smith. “At Gracie Allegiance our goal is to elevate the team from a regional powerhouse to a world-class competitor, with the ultimate goal of bringing home an IBJJF world title to Hawke’s Bay. Thanks to the guidance of Clark Gracie in San Diego, we are back on track to achieving this goal, and with COVID disruptions behind us, we are excited to see Oscar compete at the No-Gi World Championships!”
For Oscar, competing is about more than just winning medals, “what motivates me is discovering my potential and showing others that they can achieve the same,” he says. His future goals include further developing his skills and, perhaps most importantly, sharing his knowledge with others. “I want to teach and grow the sport, helping others unlock their potential.”
As Oscar looks ahead to the World Championships, he also takes time to reflect on the impact BJJ has had on his life and the journey he has been on. “If you’re thinking about starting BJJ, just dive in. Don’t wait for the perfect moment, every moment is perfect. Embrace the challenges and enjoy the losses as much as the wins. It’s all a part of the process.”
Best of luck to Oscar as he represents our region on the global stage in Las Vegas this December.
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Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu skills taking Hawke’s Bay talent to world champs in Las Vegas - NZ Herald
