By Caoilte de Barra
One of England’s standout athletes, Teddy Stringer, made his return to the IMMAF platform with a big win over Germany’s Elohim Garbrah. He made quick work of his opponent, submitting him with a kneebar in the opening round.
Having not competed in IMMAF since January, Stringer is excited to be back and start the week off on a positive note.
“It feels good. Obviously, yesterday I got a bye, so I was waiting to get my turn today, and getting back here, getting the win in the first round in clean fashion. It’s a nice way to start off the week, but I keep reminding myself to bring myself back down. That’s one of four [wins] for the gold medal.”
Teddy has been around the amateur scene for quite some time and has had the opportunity to go pro, but opted to stay amateur in order to test himself in the IMMAF ranks and win gold.
“Yeah, this is the reason I’m still an amateur, like having the team like this, you know. The belts I win at home helps solidify my place at the IMMAFs for England. But I’m here to become European champion, and later on, become world champion.”
Last time out Teddy lost to Ramazan Gitinov, a man who has won it all at amateur. The bout was close, and Teddy gave the pound-for-pound number one amateur some problems in their bout. He wants to avenge that loss now before leaving his amateur career behind.
“I learned how much it meant to me, these tournaments, how much I want to be a world champion, and I think going three rounds with the pound for pound number one of amateurs let me realize where I’m at. And that was with a broken hand. So I’m here with vengeance. I’m gonna become European champion, and no disrespect to Ramazan [Gitinov]. He’s the name that I want to tick off and finish my amateur career with.”
Ahead of tomorrow, the experienced amateur explained how he is “just bringing myself back down and executing the plan that I’ve made up here” as he points to his head.
The BJJ Purple Belt will face Bulgaria’s Bozhidar Ivanov in a bout that has fireworks written all over it.
Watch the 2022 IMMAF European Championships live and exclusively from Bella Italia Efa Village in Lignano Sabbiadoro (Italy) from 27 September and 1 October 2022 at immaf.tv.
