We have many amazing people with interesting stories that walk into all our gyms! This member spotlight turns to Vincent Tchedry, blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and traveller from Switzerland. Vincent has been training with us since last 2018, has competed at Grappling Industries to receive double silver in gi and no-gi and always has a friendly ‘hello, hello’ for everyone! Read on to find out more about Vincent.
Occupation: Student & Wine Seller
Martial Arts/Sports: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
How did you get into the sport?
Curiosity, and then got my ass kicked by a lighter female (and I loved it).
What are your immediate training goals?
Improve my game to compete.
What are your goals for the next five years?
Get swole! Eventually my purple belt!
Why do you love training at Absolute MMA?
Good vibes, quality and diverse training partners!
What is your favourite move?
Bow & arrow in Gi; Rear naked choke in No-Gi!
Favourite workout/walkout song?
OooWee by Rapsody.
Nicknames & Fight Names?
The Vegan Princess (to stay politically correct).
What do you like to do to relax beside training?
Eat, vape, read, Netflix and chill!
Can you tell us about where you’re from and any interesting stories growing up? If you’re not originally from Melbourne, how’d you end up living in Melbourne, Australia?
Born in Berlin, then lived in Thessaloniki, Brussels, Lausanne, Malmö before arriving in Melbourne. I had some insecurities as a teenager, which translated into aggressivity. Got attacked a couple times and wanted to learn how to fight properly. Went to the army and did boxing for two years. Then tried grappling with a certain confidence and got humbled, which got me hooked since then!
Who are the kind of people that you look up to and why?
Any hard workers and achievers with bad initial circumstances, who flipped their lives around! Makes me appreciate what I have, feeling grateful and eager for more! Lately, I’m looking into David Goggins’ accomplishments.
What’s your favourite place to eat in Melbourne and your #1 dish recommendation?
Many will hate me for this but I see food as a source of energy. Anything whole food plant based will do.
If you could go back in time to your first martial art class, what would be the advice you give to your past self?
Get another partner! Just kidding, I’d say: “Leave your ego at the door and reduce your f**king intensity bro!”
“Vincent is a noodle armed, guard pulling little vegan b*tch. Every time he has rear naked choked me and bow and arrowed me has been a complete fluke.”- Lee Harker
“When I moved to Melbourne last year and joined Absolute, Vinnie was one of the first people that I met. We’d often partner up during rounds which were always full on! He catches me pretty much every time we roll, and I never used to mind until I found out I was tapping to a Vegan! Jokes aside Vinnie is now somebody that I can certainly call a friend for life. He has a great energy that he brings wherever he goes and is always a laugh to be around, especially when he’s screaming Ronnie Coleman quotes from the other side of the gym, “YEAHHHHHHH BUDDYYYYYYY!!!”- Sam Teeling
“He’s a vegan.” – Richard Lattemagi
“Vincent is a lovely bloke, feisty as hell on the mats, and very genuine off the mats. I appreciate sharing the mats with another environmental warrior too! He has a nice moustache.”- James Walters