Recently, the Jiu-Jitsu Times posted a couple of articles about Joey Bozik, and blue belt amputee fighting out of Tier 1 Training Facility in McKinney, Texas.
Over the weekend, Bozik won his first match at the prestigious IBJJF Open in Austin.
Bozik wrote of his performance:
This weekend was a first in my Jiujitsu career. I won my first match at the IBJJF Austin Open. I came in both mentally and physically strong. I pushed the pace and left it all on the line. In the end I got the tap with literally half a second left on the clock. This single experience has been years in the making. One loss after another. One disappointment after another. Although showing up and competing is a victory in itself; showing everyone (including myself) that all the hours of sweat, blood, and yes sometimes tears have a purpose, is something not many get to taste in their time. I was overwhelmed with joy and simultaneously ignited with a fire to want to win again. And again. And again. Not bc victory is the measure of a man. But bc of all those who may look at what I am trying to do and see me as a triple amputee who does Jiujitsu. Instead of as a man who should never be underestimated or treated differently. Thank you to all those who have supported me. Thank you to my fellow competitors who never gave an inch and brought the fight to me. To my coach Professor Alan Shebaro who has always seen the man underneath the war torn body. Thank you. Although we walk this path together your guidance, patience, and friendship mean more to me than you may ever know. This victory was yours as much as it was mine. Thank you to my teammates who have always supported me through training, coaching, and being there at every match. And finally thank you to My Jessy. Having you there to share this with me means the world to me. I cherish it and you 
. #wedefyfoundation #provethemwromg #tier1trainingfacility #tier1tf #shebarojiujitsu
Check out the full video of his fight below:
This weekend was a first in my Jiujitsu career. I won my first match at the IBJJF Austin Open. I came in both mentally and physically strong. I pushed the pace and left it all on the line. In the end I got the tap with literally half a second left on the clock. This single experience has been years in the making. One loss after another. One disappointment after another. Although showing up and competing is a victory in itself; showing everyone (including myself) that all the hours of sweat, blood, and yes sometimes tears have a purpose, is something not many get to taste in their time. I was overwhelmed with joy and simultaneously ignited with a fire to want to win again. And again. And again. Not bc victory is the measure of a man. But bc of all those who may look at what I am trying to do and see me as a triple amputee who does Jiujitsu. Instead of as a man who should never be underestimated or treated differently. Thank you to all those who have supported me. Thank you to my fellow competitors who never gave an inch and brought the fight to me. To my coach Professor Alan Shebaro who has always seen the man underneath the war torn body. Thank you. Although we walk this path together your guidance, patience, and friendship mean more to me than you may ever know. This victory was yours as much as it was mine. Thank you to my teammates who have always supported me through training, coaching, and being there at every match. And finally thank you to My Jessy. Having you there to share this with me means the world to me. I cherish it and you
Posted by Joey Bozik on Sunday, July 23, 2017
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