Tim Tszyu / Craig Jones Invitational (CJI)
You know you are starting to test the boundaries of your physical health when a trip to Vegas is now considered a normal work trip in and out of Australia inside 7 days including travel.
This trip for CJI 2024 was the definition of an opportunistic whirlwind, with what started as conversation over WhatsApp with the indefatigable Seth Belisle, (who for those unfamiliar with him, is the brains behind both the Craig Jones International tournament and B Team Jiu Jitsu) became a trip to Las Vegas to support some of the worlds best Jiu Jitsu athletes.
As someone who had (has) no combat sports experience, I am the first to admit that I still find it funny when names are dropped regarding celebrities or legends in the sport (MMA / Boxing / BJJ) and I keep my blank faced look waiting to hear it explained further who they actually are.
The other purpose for the hectic schedule was the fact that having started working with Tim Tszyu in July, the schedules overlapped to ensure a week of treatment for the Aussie legend.
As a very G rated non-drinker non gambler in Vegas, I did have to laugh when I found myself in the back room of a boxing gym in the outskirts of Las Vegas with a 70 year old boxing match maker telling me stories about the corrupt old days of the Chicago and Vegas fight scene all whilst Tim was punishing himself in 40+ degree oppressive conditions – somewhere between iconic and WTF and just another chapter in the career that keeps morphing and evolving into something very unique.
The CJI (Craig Jones International) was an event that I don’t think anyone could accurately describe. Huge life changing prize money, appearance money, charity fundraising, celebrities everywhere and all of this mixed together into a truly remarkable event.
But any chance to work with and treat world class athletes is something I don’t take for granted and I’m sure this event will go down in history as a moment that truly changed a globally significant sport – dare I say it but could Craig Jones now be seen in the same eyes as what Kerry Packer and World Series Cricket did for cricket? <<shrug emoji>>.
The beauty of working within the martial arts world is the level of gratitude and appreciation that is completely different to most of the other (dare I say it, but highly paid) professional sport. A beautiful environment filled with some of the most diverse backgrounds and beliefs all melting together.
There was also a sneaky chance to meet and support Australia’s newest World Champion in the one and only Adele Fornarino, one of the nicest and most dedicated people you may not have heard of, but to see someone not just win her 55kg gold medal, but then back it up and take out the absolute (all weights) is something insane!
Is it possible to pick a highlight? Probably not.
Tim Tszyu is already one of the biggest names in Australian sport – and is a bloody legend and great fella who deserves whatever legacy he is carving out – so professionally that’s always tough tot beat, but certainly being part of history at CJI was nice, seeing lives change with financial support was incredible, meeting so many new folks from around the world including some icons including the one and only Jocko Willink (SEAL and author of ‘Extreme Ownership’) was a blast. And seeing Seth and Craig pull off what seemed insane only 10 weeks ago was pretty cool.
So for now its back to reality – whatever that is these days – and see what crazy opportunities arise.
Good things happen when you’re out in the world!
