Edwin Najmi Wins Lightweight Gold But Almost Didn't Compete At 2016 Pans

In his first Pan Championships at black belt, Edwin Najmi took home the gold medal after submitting Francisco Iturralde in the lightweight finals on Sunday night. In just under two minutes the Romulo Barral product locked on an Estima Lock and forced "Sinistro" to tap in what was one of the most exciting finals of the day.

However Edwin Najmi almost decided not to put his Gi on this weekend after the passing of his Grandfather, whom Najmi was very close with.

"Honestly I wasn't going to compete this weekend. My grandfather passed away on friday. So I honestly didn't want to fight, but Romulo made me fight. He said he'd want me to fight. I wasn't going to be here, so if it wasn't for my professor I wouldn't be fighting. Thank God I fought. I fought with fire today. I was just coming in one hundred miles an hour. Usually I start slow, even today my first fight I started slow, I got pretty lucky to win that fight but I just came with that fire to prove a point."

After unsuccessful bids at both the 2016 European Championships and Copa Podio Lightweight Grand Prix, Edwin Najmi officially announced his arrival to the elite black belt ranks.

I feel good, it usually takes a long time when you get your blackbelt sometimes you think 'Oh man it's going to take me awhile to get to the top' but it feels amazing. My first Pan Ams my first gold, it's an awesome feeling. Next is the Worlds and I can't wait for that.