2024 Legend Grand Prix jiu-jitsu moves to Ovintiv Events Centre this November

DAWSON CREEK, B.C. — The second annual Legend Grand Prix jiu-jitsu competition is slated for early November in Dawson Creek. 

Sanctioned by the province’s athletic commission and with a ruleset abiding by the sport’s governing body, the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF), the newest addition to the competition will be the venue change.

While the first tournament occurred at Dawson Creek’s Central Middle School, this year’s edition will take place at the Ovintiv Events Centre.

According to Legend Martial Arts Academy coach Evan Ollenberger, the decision to switch locations was due to the overswelling of participants at last year’s event.

With competitors coming from as far away as High Level, Alberta, it featured over 100 athletes.

“It was pretty early on in the tournament I realized we didn’t have enough space,” said Ollenberger. “I thought, ‘holy smokes,’ we weren’t going to break any fire codes, but there are so many people here.”

“This year, we’re anticipating the same number of athletes.”

According to its Facebook page, Legend Martial Arts Academy started as a hobby gym in 2022.  Initially focusing on adult classes, it grew to around 50 members in its first month.

With parents looking for a place for their kids to train, Ollenberger initially thought youth classes would be challenging.  However, he quickly changed his mind when he saw younger students show their desire.

The gym now boasts around 150 members.

With a background in martial arts, including kickboxing, Ollenberger says he focuses on “active programming” to distinguish his gym from others.

“These kids, they want to be there,” said Ollenberger. “They came and trained hard.  That was cool.  They were easy to coach.”

Unlike the 2023 edition, this year’s Grand Prix will not feature kickboxing on the itinerary. Instead, it will focus on strictly both gi and no-gi competition.  

Ollenberger feels practitioners from around the Peace Region and Northern Alberta will be coming to take part.

Winners will receive medals and bragging rights. As an IBJJF tournament, it will be divided into a maximum of nine weight classes for men and eight for women.

Entry fees are $100, with an additional $50 for participants who want to enter both gi- and no-gi. Tickets are available online, $10 pre-sale, and $15 at the door.

The 2024 Legend Grand Prix in Dawson Creek hosted by Legend Martial Arts Academy goes down November 7th at Ovintiv Events Centre, located at 300 Highway 2 in Dawson Creek.

More information can be found at the event’s Facebook page.