NAGA New Hampshire Teen Expert Lightweight Champion Parker Smith of Rangeley

DERRY, NH — NAGA New Hampshire Teen Expert Lightweight Champion Parker Smith of Rangeley won the gold belt in the North American Grappling Association (NAGA) New Hampshire Grappling Championship that was held at the New England Sports Center in Derry, NH on Saturday, August 10.

Smith competed in the Teen Expert No-Gi Expert Lightweight Division.

This comes after having won two gold belts in the same division, both Gi and No-gi, just two months prior on June 15 at the NAGA Boston Grappling Championship held at the Starland Sportsplex in Hanover, MA.

Smith, who has a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and has been practicing jiu-jitsu since he was in elementary school, had taken a break here and there, but has been more consistent the last two years, winning a total of seven matches in that time.

“I just got back into jiu-jitsu. So, it’s been about two years. But I’ve been training and competing since I was about six,” said 17-year-old Smith.

Except for during soccer season, Smith trains and competes when time allows.

“I’m going to have to take a break for now because I have soccer. But, when I’m not playing soccer, I’m like every month or every other month competing,” said Smith.

Smith expressed his regret that these two interests had unmanageable schedule conflicts, but also that the physical exercise of soccer and jiu-jitsu didn’t complement each other.

“It’s a different kind of strength and cardio than soccer,” said Smith.

Parker Smith and father/teacher Shawn Smith on the NAGA podium in New Hampshire.

Both Smith and his older brother Evan, who has also successfully competed, have been trained by their father, a black belt and instructor at Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy in Farmington, with classes also offered at Rangeley Region Health and Wellness.

Smith increases his training, and works around his school’s academic schedule, if he intends to participate in a tournament.

“When there’s a competition coming up, usually about a month or two in advance, I’ll start training four times a week. About an hour, two hours for each session,” said Smith, continuing, “Yeah, it is harder during school, but I can still get those training hours in.”

When asked about his plans, Smith, a rising senior at Rangeley Lakes Regional School, said he has enjoyed coursework in psychology, and hopes to get his doctorate one day.

His study of human behavior helps when he is competing.

“I notice when someone is doing the same thing. He’s got a pattern. He’s trying the same thing repeatedly. I can know what he’s going to do before he’s going to do it,” said Smith.

To be successful in jiu-jitsu, Smith said it requires both physical and mental strength.

“It is very physical. You must obviously be in shape. Ready to get smashed if you’re going to get smashed. But it’s also that mentality going into it. You need to be ready,” said Smith.

Parker Smith competing in the August NAGA Championship Tournament.