Overcoming adversity through jiu jitsu

Gina Hopkins, a jiu jitsu competitor, has recently been shortlisted for the National UK Fitness Awards. Amongst all the plaudits handed out to the sporting greats in Bristol, this is particularly impressive. Why? Gina has dystonia.

Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder where sustained muscle contractions cause twisting and repetitive movements or abnormal postures. In a nut shell this makes it very difficult for Gina to do any physical activity, let alone compete in martial arts at an international and world level, which she currently does.

Dystonia was in Gina’s family and when she developed the condition aged 10. She became wheelchair-dependent and she was told it was unlikely that she would walk again.

At age 15, however, she decided to embark upon risky surgery known as deep brain stimulation for what she says was a “bid to ease this uncomfortable and debilitating disease”.

It was after this that she decided to take up exercise and get fit in order to cope with the potential side effects of the operation. One of these side effects was speech, which she lost shortly after the operation.

I first met 30-year-old Gina when she was a guest on the Midweek Sportsbar radio show a couple months ago, and it was quite simply one of the most remarkable interviews I have been involved with.

Whilst she waited in the lobby we took some funny photos of her pulling off a variety of jiu jitsu moves and dismantling my male co-presenters with ease. At this point I was aware of her condition but not about the affects on her communication.

Her husband Chris accompanied her into the studio and as I directed questions to her she replied with a series of grunts and sounds which were very difficult to pick up.

These sounds were then translated by Chris. It was amazing and I was baffled how he did it. He told me it was a mix between practice, paying attention and time, and that he just instinctively knew now. They were clearly an impressive team and he has supported Gina throughout her journey with dystonia into the world of martial arts.

After her operation, with double determination, Gina pushed her body to new heights and beyond most people’s limitations, diving into regular swimming, pilates, and even trying weight training.

It was during this time that Gina had a eureka moment and “realised the powerful potential for sport and exercise as a coping and rehabilitative tool for the disabled population”. She felt that whilst drugs and medicine helped, the benefit of exercise had a greater healing impact and significantly reduced her pain.

Discovering martial arts was the real breakthrough. She had found something that supported her physically and also allowed her to express and release emotions from what she calls her “inner core”.

She started in kickboxing, and then moved onto mixed martial arts (MMA) and says, “I got a real buzz from MMA, always something new to learn, endless techniques to try, and just generally really exciting”.

Training was something she loved, but wanted to take it a step further, to compete for real. Because of her condition it was difficult to find fair match ups.

Gina always loved the grappling and the Brazilian jiu jitsu element of MMA, so when stumbling across a website for Grapplers Heart she was intrigued. It was the world’s first grappling tournament for all Brazilian jiu jitsu artists with disabilities.

The tournament was in New York, and Gina knew she had to go. So she did. She told me: “I was the only person with dystonia there, and indeed the only female athlete there, so was forced to compete against men. And I actually won my category and came third overall.”

The journey has not been plain sailing for Gina in her rehab. She has faced many setbacks and had to battle constant adversity. Dystonia leaves her often in pain and training can be difficult.

On rupturing a disc in her back, nerves were cut away from her spine, so some sensation has been lost. She also has full paralysis in her toes and feet. But the one thing thats sets Gina apart is her determination, her sheer will, her drive to excel in the sport she loves.

Soeli O’Hagan, manager of Impact Gym in Staple Hill where she trains, says that Gina “trains tirelessly and always sinks her teeth into new challenges and will roll on the mat with anyone, anytime, and anyday”.

The power of exercise and its rehabilitative components pushed Gina to want to understand more about the body, so she went back to college to study sport.

Passionate about its therapeutic qualities, this eventually led onto an MSc in Sport and Exercise Science which she does to this day. In the future she hopes to help others like herself to realise the power of sport and exercise, and demonstrate that people with disabilities cannot only take part but can actually compete.

Gina continues to compete today and is one of the best fighters at Impact Gym. The culmination of all her remarkable achievements was recently being shortlisted for the Member Achievement category at the National Fitness Awards that were held at the Athena in Leicester.

The awards celebrate excellence throughout the whole health and fitness industry in the UK. So out of the millions of people that exercise in the country, she was one of only a handful of people selected.

It was her gym that nominated her and coach Soeli told me: “She is the bravest and most focused member we have. She is a fantastic lady who we all felt deserved some recognition for all the hard work she does.”

The occasion was described as being “very prestigious” and she felt “incredibly proud to be there”. Whilst she didn’t win, she was honoured to stand alongside the other nominees.

The winner was a female body builder called Zoe Wright who carries a colostomy bag in competitions. Gina pointed out that, “naturally I would have loved to have brought the award to Bristol, but am not too disappointed.

“I have given recognition to my sport, and raised awareness of dystonia and hope I am a flag bearer for people with disabilities, to demonstrate what is possible.’’

The BBC Sports Personality Awards were on last night. Recognition was given out to the great and good of the sports world. I am confident that very few of the nominees have had to overcome adversity or travelled as far as Gina. Even Andy Murray would admit that.

In 2016 Gina is hoping to head back to the states to defend her gold medal. Bristol should be proud of our own nominee. Gina is the real sports superstar in our city.

Sport development consultant Neil Maggs presents Midweek Sportsbar on BCfm and is director of Street2Elite, promoting grassroots and community sport.