Dream Art Bradford's Dominic Burgess Claims Bronze at IBJJF European No-Gi Championship

This past weekend, Dream Art Bradford’s Dominic Burgess stepped onto the international stage at the IBJJF European No-Gi Championship in Rome, Italy, securing a hard-fought bronze medal in one of Europe’s most prestigious jiu-jitsu tournaments. The 16-year-old blue belt, who has been training at Dream Art Bradford since his Tiny’s days, demonstrated world-class technique against Europe’s elite competitors.

Competing in a field of over 2,000 athletes from across Europe and beyond, Dominic showcased the explosive, technical jiu-jitsu that Dream Art Bradford has become renowned for. His path to the podium included two spectacular submission victories that had the Rome crowd on their feet.

Dominant Performance on Europe’s Biggest Stage

Dominic’s tournament began with a statement of intent as he secured a footlock submission in his opening match, displaying the leg lock game that has become a hallmark of modern no-gi jiu-jitsu. His second match produced one of the tournament’s highlight moments - a flying armbar that demonstrated both his athleticism and technical precision. This dynamic submission, which has become something of a signature move for the young competitor, sent a clear message to the European jiu-jitsu community.

The semi-final saw Dominic face one of the division’s top seeds in a closely contested battle that went the distance. Despite narrowly losing on points, Dominic proved he belongs among Europe’s best, matching his opponent move for move in what spectators called one of the division’s most exciting matches.

Building on a Legacy of Excellence

This bronze medal adds to Dream Art Bradford’s growing collection of international accolades and continues the academy’s tradition of producing competitors who excel on the world stage. Dominic’s performance exemplifies the technical excellence and competitive mindset that Professor Craig Tetley and the coaching team have instilled in their students.

“Dom’s confidence, aggression, and skill shone through in every match,” said Professor Tetley. “His flying armbar was technical perfection, and his composure against Europe’s best shows maturity beyond his years. This is just the beginning for him - we’re seeing a future champion develop before our eyes.”

The achievement is particularly impressive given Dominic’s journey from the academy’s Tiny’s program to competing at elite international tournaments. His progression through the ranks demonstrates the effectiveness of Dream Art Bradford’s structured development pathway, which has produced multiple world and European champions.

Support System and Future Prospects

Behind every successful competitor is a strong support network, and Dominic’s parents deserve special recognition for their unwavering commitment to his jiu-jitsu journey. Their presence in Rome, along with their continuous support through countless training sessions and competitions, has been instrumental in his development.

At just 16 years old and already making waves at blue belt level, Dominic’s future in the sport looks exceptionally bright. His dynamic style, combining traditional techniques with modern no-gi innovations, positions him as one of the UK’s most exciting young prospects. With major championships on the horizon and continued development under Dream Art Bradford’s world-class coaching, expectations are high for what this talented athlete will achieve next.

The European Championship bronze medal marks another milestone in Dream Art Bradford’s remarkable 2024 competition season, reinforcing the academy’s position as one of Europe’s premier jiu-jitsu academies.

For information on joining Dream Art Bradford and training alongside champions like Dominic, get in touch today.