Why Losing A No-Gi Match To Cooper Got Hinger To Train Gi
As the #1 Ranked 88kg no-gi competitor, Josh Hinger is one of the premier submission grapplers on the scene today, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have an appreciation for gi jiu-jitsu.
However, it wasn't always that way.
In the latest episode of 'Chasing Greatness', Hinger revealed that losing to Bill 'the Grill' Cooper – primarily known as a gi athlete – in a no-gi match, was the impetus to put on the pajamas and work to address holes in his game.
It was a pivotal moment for Hinger, who always considered himself a no-gi guy. Find out how he got his mind changed.
Hear the full story on how losing to Bill Cooper convinced Hinger to train in the gi
"I didn’t put the gi on until I was a brown belt. I had a match with Bill Cooper at Grapplers Quest. He was a black belt and I was a brown belt. I had never competed with someone that felt someone like he felt… I couldn’t figure out what he was doing that I didn’t do. I trained no-gi all day every day, and I lost a no-gi match against him… and I thought man, maybe he’s so strong because he trains in the gi… I was really impressed with him."
Watch the full episode of Chasing Greatness with Josh Hinger
