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Erin District student headed to Kazakhstan to fight on Jiu Jitsu’s largest stage

Noah DiNola in an active fighting stance. DiNola stands with a trainer in an action shot taken in a striking lime green-painted gymnasium.
DiNola training at Blaze Performance Training in Orangeville. Photo submitted.
Riley Gillespie-Wilson - CICW - Fergus • ON | 05-05-2023
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Parents and trainers of an Erin District High School student continue to be amazed by the successes of the 14-year-old: Noah DiNola is headed to the Jiu Jitsu World Championships in Kazakhstan this August.

DiNola, who began training at the age of four, won gold in April at the Canadian Nationals, qualifying him for international competition. He will be competing in the U-100-pound, U-16 yellow belt division.

He said it was quite the experience, and the mental component of Jiu Jitsu continues to be crucial.

"It's really about not letting the fear of your competitor get inside your head. You've just got to think that you can beat him and you can do whatever you want."

DiNola noted the magnitude of the possible tournament outcome really struck him when he walked into the large Scarborough gym hosting the event. The teen trains six days a week between three different gyms, including Blaze Performance Training in Orangeville.

He says even though his yellow belt status has changed his fights, he will continue to focus on new techniques and styles to ensure the success continues.

A referee stands at the edge of a blue mat on which DiNola is entangled with a competitor.

Submitted Photo, DiNola on the mat fighting a competitor

His mother Janan has had a front-row seat to watch him thrive and feels truly inspired by her son’s work ethic.

"He is training six days a week when he could be out skateboarding and hanging out with friends, he's in a gym... If it's not Blaze it's his jiu jitsu gyms, and he's rolling with some of the best athletes out there... He's doing it with such finesse and grace and he's such a resilient kid... I'm in awe."

Scott Blazey, DiNola’s trainer at Blaze Performance Training in Orangeville, believes the 14-year-old would be hard-pressed to come across someone with an edge over him.

"With his mental strength, his maturity, and his general approach to the training, to the sport, and to executing when it's go-time... I can't imagine somebody in his division that would have any kind of inherent advantage over him."

DiNola stands in Blaze Performance Training, a bright-green painted room. He's in a fighting stance posing with two trainers.

Submitted Photo, DiNola posing along side Scott and Ira Blazey, his trainers at Blaze Performance Training

DiNola is hoping to receive sponsors to help pay for the trip to Kazakhstan. A Go Fund Me page has been started with a target of $5,000 and so far, $1,600 has been raised.

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