At Judo Yushi in Nieuw-Vennep, a new generation of grapplers steps onto the tatami to test themselves under the GRPL submission wrestling rule set. This matchup between two debuting judokas is a pure display of choke-only submission wrestling, where technique, control, and endurance are pushed to their limits in a no-gi environment.
This submission wrestling bout is contested under the official GRPL format, where only choke submissions are allowed. Fighters compete across three rounds of two minutes, with each successful submission earning one point. If the score remains tied after regulation, the match continues into Golden Score overtime, where a single submission decides the outcome. In this format, positions such as back control, front headlock control, and transitions into rear naked chokes or guillotine chokes are often decisive.
Match Rules
Ruleset: Choke-Only
Format: Submission Wrestling
Time Limit: 3 Rounds of 2 Minutes (Golden Score if tied)
Scoring: 1 Point per Submission
Tale of the Tape
Red Corner: Jelle
Age: 24
Height: 185 cm (6’1″)
Weight: 80 kg (176 lbs)
Style: Judoka
Blue Corner: Juwen
Age: 19
Height: 186 cm (6’1″)
Weight: 74 kg (163 lbs)
Style: Judoka
The Match Breakdown
From the opening exchange, the dynamic between both athletes becomes immediately clear. This is not a chaotic scramble-heavy contest, but a controlled and calculated grappling battle where both fighters carefully manage distance, grips, and positioning. The physical difference and experience gap add an extra layer of tension, as one athlete looks to impose control while the other relies on movement and resilience to stay competitive.
Early in the match, the threat of a rear naked choke appears, forcing defensive awareness and setting the tone for the exchanges that follow. Rather than opening up recklessly, both competitors choose to build their attacks step by step, prioritizing positional control before committing to submission attempts. This results in a technical chess match where every transition is contested and every grip is fought for.
As the rounds progress, the physical toll of submission wrestling becomes more visible. The pace tightens, the scrambles become heavier, and each athlete is forced to dig deeper into their endurance. Control becomes harder to maintain, and even small positional advantages carry significant weight. Despite multiple threatening moments, neither competitor allows a clean finish without resistance.
In a match defined by balance, discipline, and calculated aggression, the outcome ultimately depends on who can capitalize on the smallest opening. This bout perfectly highlights the unforgiving nature of choke-only submission wrestling, where a single moment can decide everything.
