Droylsden boy makes history

Twelve-year-old Carlos Southworth, from Droylsden has carved his name into the history books in 2024.

Southworth has made a record by being the first child from Europe in history to achieve all IBJJF Grand Slam Medals in a calendar year.

Carlos is a 12 year old with a mission and between June and August, he travelled to Sao Paulo, California, Las Vegas and Florida in search for gold competing with the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournaments (IBJJF) as part of a Calendar Grand Slam attempt for 2024. 

This has never been achieved by any child outside of the US or Brazil.

Carlos is already a two- time IBJJF European Gold Medallist (2022/2023), however after a successful trip to Lisbon in October, he is one of two children from Europe that have achieved the Calendar Grand Slam– this comprises of the Brasileiro, Pan Americas and European competitions.

Having been in the gym and under the guidance of dad and coach Ashley from the age of 4, Carlos is a seasoned competitor in the UK, but with the support from Hotel Football, local business Mr Investa and his school Wright Robinson Sports College, a decision was made to get him overseas and in the heart of the action.

Dad & coach Ashley said: “There has always been a vision to keep Carlos focused on learning and fitness, BJJ successfully feeds both as it is technical sport that requires both brain work and endurance. 

He has spent many years working on himself and others, and this was the year that an opportunity arose to get him in the environment he needs to grow, we are really grateful to Hotel Football, Mr Investa and of course school for supporting in him and enabling to have a go”.

Carlos trains under MatratzBJJ within Predators MMA & BJJ Academy in Manchester, and alongside learning he takes time to help coach younger athletes in the sport. 

He is a regular face in the gym, and you will find him in there six days of the week around school with eight years of hard work paying off.

Alongside Carlos, MatratzBJJ has been able to nurture another incredible athlete, Zac Shaffi (aged 9) – who has also made history by being the first European child in his division to win all three competitions. 

Having only trained for 12 months, Zac has made his mark on the international competition scene and is over the moon to have secured all three major grand slam golds.

This is a huge achievement, for our city to have two athletes enter the history books – the Calendar Grand Slam has only ever been secured by Brazilian or American Athletes. 

Both are currently ranked #1 in the world in their respective divisions. 

However, not only has Carlos showcased skills as an athlete, but as a guide to younger athlete Zac.

For his efforts, he was recently shortlisted in the Pride of Gorton Awards, nominated initially by his school.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is the groundwork of MMA, a very technical game and skill which requires huge commitment. 

Famous names have come from the North West including- Michael Bisping & Paddy Pimblett.

In total, team Matratz, (head office in Droylsden) but fighting out of Cheetham Hill based Predators MMA; took seven children out to Brazil, nine to Florida and 12 to Lisbon and have secured a total of 12 gold, five silver and five bronze medals – firmly placing this Manchester based club in the top 10 academies on the world stage.

In between competitions, Carlos had the support to fly to California and train with one of the world’s best Academies, Art of Jiu-Jitsu – here he travelled to Las Vegas for the American Nationals and came back with two gold medals in both the Gi & No-Gi Categories. 

Ashley also took the time to train with world leading coaches to bring extra knowledge back to Manchester, he also decided to compete himself winning double gold. 

Carlos said – “I have worked hard for years, I enjoy the sport and coaching my younger teammates. One day it would be amazing to see BJJ in the Olympics and who knows, we could make the Team GB Squad and show that the UK has great BJJ athletes just like America & Brazil.”

For the moment, Carlos is proud of his achievements and will begin the season again in 2025 with a trip to train at Art of Jiu-Jitsu.