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Tournament Results Tuesday: Northwest Submission Challenge

As part of our ongoing effort to bring you the details of Brazilian jiu-jitsu and submission grappling news from all parts, here are the results of the first-ever Northwest Submission Challenge, which took place in Boise, Idaho. The event drew 103 jiu-jitsu competitors from Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and Utah.

Team Awards
1st – Keith Owen BJJ
2nd – West Side Jiu Jitsu
3rd – Twin Falls Jiu Jitsu
4th -Dragon Bushido Dojo
5th – Snake River MMA

Mens No Gi Results

Men Beginner Nogi

Men’s Beginner Nogi under 129
1st – Jeff Lim – Dragon Bushido Dojo
2nd – Matthew Christie – Combat Fitness/Jiu Jitsu Boise
3rd – Mateo Maes – Pennacle Academy

Men’s Beginner Nogi 130-150
1st – David Burgara – Twin Falls Jiu Jitsu
2nd – Chris Milich
3rd – Alex Von Steeg – Jiu Jitsu Boise

Men’s Beginner Nogi 151-170
1st – Carlos Calderon – Boise Jiu Jitsu
2nd – Blake Durst – Dragon Bushido Dojo
3rd – Todd Kolva -

Men’s Beginner Nogi 171-190
1st – Jeff Moore – West Side Jiu Jitsu
2nd – Ellis Nanney – Jiu Jitsu Boise
3rd – Aaron Kolsen – Twin Falls Jiu Jitsu

Mens Beginner Nogi 191-120
1st – Kevin Wood – Keith Owen BJJ
2nd – Taylor Rutledge – Keith Owen BJJ
3rd – Javier Rojas – Goya

Men’s Beginner Nogi Absolute $50 Prizemoney
1st – Kevin Wood – Keith Owen BJJ
2nd – Jeff Moore – West Side Jiu Jitsu
3rd – Carlos Calderon – Boise Jiu Jitsu

Men Intermediate Nogi

Men’s Intermediate Nogi 130-150
1st – Jesse Brock – Jiu Jitsu Boise
2nd – Kaz Honjo – Keith Owen BJJ
3rd – Cason Bowen – Snake River MMA

Men’s Intermediate Nogi 151-170
1st – Nick Hession – Team Crow
2nd – Ronnie Rhodes – Team Hardcore
3rd – Roy Ayala – Dragon Bushido Dojo

Men’s Intermediate Nogi 171-190
1st – Jim Pardy – Dragon Bushido Dojo
2nd – Seth Noseworthy – Snake River MMA
3rd – Neil Thompson – Roy Dean Academy

Men’s Intermediate Nogi 191-210
1st – Tony Day – Dragon Bushido Dojo
2nd – Michael Renteria – Boise Jiu Jitsu
3rd – Jordan Resnick – Team Crow

Mens Intermediate Nogi Over 210
1st – Phil Shiplett – Combat Fitness/Jiu Jitsu Boise
2nd – Darrin Moe – Snake River MMA
3rd – Jeremiah Clemons – Keith Owen BJJ

Women’s Absolute $100 cash prize money!
1st – Nancy Sanders – Dragon Bushido Dojo
2nd – Jamie Colver – West Side Jiu Jitsu

Men Advance Nogi

Men’s Advanced Nogi 140-180
1st – Cody Udy – West Side Jiu Jitsu
2nd – Richard Cesena – West Side Jiu Jitsu
3rd – Ben Antunes – Combat Fitness/Jiu Jitsu Boise

Men’s Advanced Nogi over 180
1st – Damie Lasater – Snake River MMA
2nd – Michael Getchell – Auspex

Men’s Advanced Nogi Absolue – $150 Prizemoney
1st – Curtis Yergensen – Twin Falls BJJ
2nd – Richard Cesena – West Side Jiu Jitsu
3rd – Cody Udy – West Side Jiu Jistu

Mens Gi Results

Men White Belt

Men’s White Belt 130-150
1st – Jesse Brock – Jiu Jitsu Boise
2nd – David Burgara – Twin Falls Jiu Jitsu
3rd – Cason Bowen – Snake River MMA

Mens White Belt 151-170
1st – Norman Hunt – Gracie Barra
2nd – Brad McKinney – Jiu Jitsu Boise
3rd – Cody Shephard – Keith Owen BJJ

Men’s Gi White Belt 171-190
1st – Ellis Nanney – Jiu Jitsu Boise
2nd – Brandon Christensen – Snake River MMA
3rd – Dustin West – Keith Owen BJJ

Men’s White Belt 191-210
1st – Kevin Wood – Keith Owen BJJ
2nd – Damie Lasater – Snake River MMA
3rd – Samuel Brown – Jiu Jitsu Boise

Men’s White Belt over 210
1st – Darrin Moe – Snake River MMA
2nd – Anders Tenney – Spokane Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Men’s White Belt Absolute $50 Cash prize money!
1st – Kevin Wood – Keith Owen BJJ
2nd – Damie Lasater – Snake River MMA
3rd – Cason Bowen – Snake River MMA

Men Blue Belt

Men’s Blue Belt 130-150
1st – Kaz Honjo – Keith Owen BJJ
2nd – Brad Troyer – Idaho Falls Jiu Jitsu
3rd – Jeff Schauland – Roy Dean Academy

Men’s Blue Belt 151-170
1st – Matt Sly – Keith Owen BJJ
2nd – Dylan Owen – Keith Owen BJJ
3rd – Roy Ayala – Dragon Bushido Dojo

Men’s Blue Belt 171-190
1st – Seth Noseworthy – West Side Jiu Jitsu
2nd – Derek Newton – Keith Owen BJJ
3rd – Neil Thompson – Roy Dean Academy

Men’s Blue Belt 191-210
1st – Grayson Greener – West Side Jiu Jitsu
2nd – Agustine Gabiola – Twin Falls Jiu Jitsu
3rd – Brain Leach – Roy Dean Academy

Men’s Blue Belt over 210
1st – Matt Owen – Keith Owen BJJ
2nd – Jeremiah Clemons – Keith Owen BJJ
3rd – Jeff Walther – Spokane Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Men’s Blue Belt Absolute $100 cash prize money!
1st – Matt Owen – Keith Owen BJJ
2nd – Zach Boskovich – Unified Jiu Jitsu
3rd – Matt Sly – Keith Owen BJJ

Men BJJ Advanced

Men’s Advance BJJ over 180
1st – Curtis Yergensen – Twin Falls Jiu Jitsu
2nd – Richard Cesena – West Side Jiu Jitsu
3rd – Nicholas Westiza – Twin Falls Jiu Jitsu

Womens Results

Women’s Gi
1st – Jamie Colver – West Side Jiu Jitsu
2nd – Laura Sellers

Women’s Advanced Nogi
1st – Nancy Sanders – Dragon Bushido Dojo
2nd – Jamie Colver – West Side Jiu Jitsu

Teen Results

Teen 110-140 Nogi
1st – Conner Park
2nd – Morgan Baisden
3rd – Madison Yergensen

Teen Nogi over 145
1st – Monte Huskey – Keith Owen BJJ
2nd – Alex Owen – Keith Owen BJJ
3rd – Zachery Medina – Keith Owen BJJ

Teen Gi

Teen 110-140 Gi
1st – Conner Park
2nd – Madison Yergensen
3rd – Morgan Baisden

Teen Gi over 145
1st – Monte Huskey – Keith Owen BJJ
2nd – Alex Owen – Keith Owen BJJ
3rd – Chad Randal -

Kids Results

Kids Nogi

Kid’s Beginner Nogi 50-60
1st – Bryson Spaulding – Keith Owen BJJ
2nd – Nathan Dietrich – Keith Owen BJJ

Kid’s Beginner Nogi – 60-70
1st – Ben Hutchins
2nd – Josh Kudart

Kid’s Beginner Nogi 80-90
1st – Austin Barbini – Keith Owen BJJ
2nd – Lily Yergensen – Twin Falls Jiu Jitsu

Kid’s Advance Nogi 60-70
1st – Hunter Ritz – Keith Owen BJJ
2nd – Trinitee Hulse – West Side Jiu Jitsu
3rd – Jilian Dietrich – Keith Owen BJJ

Kids Gi

Kid’s White Belt 50-60
1st – Makenna Linnett
2nd – Payton Thomas
3rd – Garrett Davila

Kid’s White Belt 60-70
1st – Trinitee Hulse – West Side Jiu Jitsu
2nd – Josh Kudart – Keith Owen BJJ

Kids White Belt 80-90
1st – Kade Thompson
2nd – William
3rd – Chance

Kid’s White Belt 90-100
1st – Austin Barbini – Keith Owen BJJ
2nd – Lilly Yergensen – Twin Falls Jiu Jitsu
3rd – Charlie LoCicerro – Keith Owen BJJ

Kid’s Yellow/Orange Belt 50-60
1st – Lana Hunt – Gracie Barra
2nd Bryson Spaulding – Keith Owen BJJ

Kid’s Yellow/Orange Belt 60-70
1st – Hunter Ritz – Keith Owen BJJ
2nd – Michael Callister
3rd – Emma Bisch

Kids Yellow/Orange Belt 70-80
1st – Lane Hunt – Gracie Barra
2nd – Grayson Garey – Keith Owen BJJ
3rd – Kendall Thomas – Jiu Jitsu Boise

Kids Yellow/Orange Belt
1st – Chance Owen – Keith Owen BJJ
2nd – Khalani Hunt – Gracie Barra

More information on the Northwest Submission Challenge can be found here.

#162 Protection from Dangerous Behavior in Jiu-Jitsu Tournaments

A submission grappling competitor lifts his opponent over his head at the Copa Nova earlier this year.

On April 18 James Clingerman was competing in the Ohio Grappling Challenge when his opponent picked him up and instead of bringing Clingerman down to the mat on his back, he spiked him on his head – a move that had the potential to paralyze Clingerman. (Video of the incident is found here on YouTube and takes place at about the 3 minute and 40 second mark). Although Clingerman was unconscious for 20 seconds and was taken to the emergency room, thankfully it is believed that he avoided neck and spinal damage according to x-ray and CT scans since the event. Today on the FightWorks Podcast we speak with Clingerman and Dustin Ware, the promoter of the OGC who was matside when the illegal move took place.

Why spend time on our show discussing a single incident like this? As a safe competition environment is critical to all of the Brazilian jiu-jitsu and submission grappling community, we will actually go beyond the details of this unfortunate event and take things a step further this week on The FightWorks Podcast. We discuss the implications of reckless behavior in competition for the sport of grappling and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. To do so we brought on the biggest names in jiu-jitsu tournaments in the United States:

• Mike Buckels, the technical director for the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation‘s events in the United States
• Joe Cuff, of the North American Grappling Association (NAGA)
• Andrew Smith, of US Grappling
• Brian Cimins, of Grapplers Quest, who had his own grappling career cut short by spinal injury that took place during a match that you can see at the 4 minute 28 second mark in this video.

In each conversation, the tournament promoters agree that such behavior is absolutely unacceptable and obviously disqualifies a competitor from that day’s event. Most agree that reckless endangerment of one’s opponent could also result in long term prohibitions from participation in future BJJ tourneys. Perhaps most importantly, all of these jiu-jitsu tournament promotions agree that they would be in favor of sharing information about such competitors to reduce the likelihood that a dangerous competitor enters their events or others’ events and puts anyone at risk.

[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (recommended)
[mp3] Download the show

BJJ Poll: Should Jiu-Jitsu Teammates Be Allowed to Verbally Agree on 1rst & 2nd Place If They Close Out the Brackets?

In Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitions, it sometimes happens that competitors who come from the same training team will find themselves facing each other at the end of the day when all the other opponents in their division have been beaten. Sometimes the two competitors in this situation agree between each other which of the two will take home the first place medal (and thus, who gets second place) instead of competing against each other on the mats to see who the best competitor is that day. This is known as the gentleman’s agreement.

There are multiple reasons why this happens. The risk of injury is probably the biggest reason to not have the match. While BJJ tournaments are generally a very safe environment, as in any contact sport there is always the risk of injury. Further, coaches of competitors in this situation feel they’ve already proven that their team is the best and they have nothing else to prove. For an in depth discussion of why this sometimes happens, you can listen to or read our conversation with Flavio Almeida where he discusses the rationale for not competing against fellow Gracie Barra teammate Roberto “Tussa” Camargo at the 2009 Jiu-Jitsu Pan-Ams.

There are however reasons to definitely go through with the match no matter what flag the two jiu-jitsu competitors train under. As our sport becomes bigger and draws more spectators at the large events, they come with the expectation of watching the best jiu-jitsu competitors go at it. The purpose of competition is to find out who is the best, is it not? Consider again the 2009 Pan-Ams: the matches to determine the winner of 3 of 10 divisions were not held because the two competitors verbally agreed who would walk away with first place! Spectators (including fellow competitors) could only be disappointed as a primary reason they traveled far and paid to enter was to see these matches go down. After the recent IBJJF New York Open Luca Atalla, editor in chief of GracieMag, laments the possibility that one day the final match of the Absolute division of the BJJ World Championship (considered by many to be the climax of the jiu-jitsu competition on the global level) is not held because two opponents from the same team verbally agree who wins. He goes on to suggest that to avoid the possibility, opponents from the same team be pitted against one another on the same side of the brackets to avoid them facing off at the end of the division.

What do you think? Let us know by voting in the poll above and don’t be shy! Leave us a comment below this post as well!

Tournament Review Tuesday: New York International Open Championship 2009

from Lucas Lowry, Kimura BJJ Blue Belt, Boston

The New York International Open Jiu-Jitsu Championship took place at City College of New York on April 18th, and was hosted by the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation. Overall this tournament had a few problems but was run well, especially compared to the tournament options typically available in the northeast.

The tournament was scheduled to start the first divisions at 9:00 AM, which did not happen due a late start getting competitors and spectators in the door. Entrants were checked in at one door, and then checked by New York Public Safety officers at another door before getting into the tournament area. Security was less than what you would expect at an airport, but more than what’s been seen at the California events held by the IBJJF. I wasn’t able to find out if the security was a requirement of the IBJJF, City College, or a New York City regulation, but all entrants were scanned in a metal detector and had bags checked for weapons and outside food. Early competitors were pulled aside and put through first to get the tournament started as fast as possible.

Competition did start as soon the first competitors were through the door. This resulted in very little warm up time for the first fights but after the first round this did not seem to cause much of a problem.

The tournament facility was well prepared for the number of people. The locker rooms were big and clean, and the gym area was large enough that at no point during the day could you not walk down either side of the mats without getting caught in a human traffic jam. Food was offered at the tournament but the selection was limited to Gatorade, soda, hot dogs and hamburgers. While outside food wasn’t allowed the bag checks weren’t really thorough enough to not let any in.

Tournament execution through the day was very good in general. After the late start in the morning, they actually recovered and got the rest of the day running back on the original schedule. There were at least a couple instances of bracket errors with the wrong names progressing after a loss, but these were cleared up quickly.

The New York Open had a couple of snags but still offered a much better caliber of tournament than the NAGA dominated northeast is used to. Even with the late start and security things ran on time with the last medal recipients leaving around 7:30 or 8:00. The referee quality was of a much higher level, and participants knew roughly what time they would fight and that they would at least hear their name on the loudspeaker and not have to hover around one ring the entire day to not risk missing their match. The action was good over all, and had its share of crazy moments like when two white belts smashed several feet through the plastic barriers past the admin table, sending pipes sticking up into the air and knocking the banner off.

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This is an installment in our Tournament Review Tuesdays column, where FightWorks Podcast listeners submit reports about Brazilian jiu-jitsu and grappling competitions that happened the weekend prior. The opinions expressed do not necessarily represent those of The FightWorks Podcast.

- Caleb

#161 The Mighty Significant Others: BJJ Spouses

Our significant others always support our addiction to BJJ. For the most part.

The listeners to The FightWorks Podcast are known far and wide as The Mighty 600,000. This week’s episode of our Brazilian jiu-jitsu radio show is about the significant others in our lives, like girlfriends or boyfriends, fiancees, and husbands or wives.

Depending on who you ask, BJJ is a hobby, passion, and / or lifestyle. Seventy-five percent of us train BJJ three or more times per week! As most of us don’t have the luxury of having significant others who train BJJ, this means jiu-jitsu takes away from our time with them.

So does this mean jiu-jitsu is hard on a relationship? Does it mean it’s bad for relationships? That is what we set out to determine this week on The FightWorks Podcast. We interviewed five partners of jiu-jitsu folks and asked them a few simple questions:

• Are you single or married?
• Did you know your significant other before he / she got into BJJ?
• What are the benefits of your significant other training BJJ?
• How is it different being in a relationship with a BJJ person?
• Is BJJ ever a strain on your relationship?
• Are you glad your significant other trains BJJ?
• Would you prefer that your significant other had a different hobby?
• Can you imagine your significant other without BJJ?

Note that we did not ask whether they thought their significant other would chose BJJ over their relationship! We may want to get to the bottom of things but we are not looking for trouble!

[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (recommended)
[mp3] Download the show

BJJ Poll: How Much Impact Do Jiu-Jitsu Instructional DVDs Have On Your Game?

Back in November we learned that over 40% of Brazilian jiu-jitsu folks own more than 8 BJJ DVDs. So they clearly have an impact on the way we learn Brazilian jiu-jitsu these days. The question in today’s BJJ Poll is designed to figure out just how much impact they have on our jiu-jitsu when it comes time to roll.

So what say you?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments to this post as well!

Competitor Spotlight: The United Kingdom's Ollie Geddes

Oliver Geddes begins taking the back of his turtled opponent, under the watchful eye of BJJ world champion Roger Gracie.

OLIVER GEDDES INTERVIEW – 13TH April 2009
By Seymour Yang

Oliver Geddes is one of the UK’s most prolific competitors. The purple belt instructor at the Roger Gracie Academy (RGA) in London, UK, is one of the few Brits who could genuinely challenge for a gold medal at the Mundials and is hoping to upset a few established favourites when he competes at the forthcoming World Pro BJJ tournament in Abu Dhabi.

Seemingly present at every grappling tournament in the UK and abroad, commentators have suggested his game is too reliant on one position. Seymour Yang caught up with him at the recent Grab and Pull tournament in Brighton to ask if this criticism was unfair and what his future plans are:

Seymour Yang: Hey Oli, well done on your medals today and also a belated congratulations on your European gold and Pan Ams bronze – isn’t your trophy cabinet getting a bit full now? 
 


Oliver Geddes: My trophy cabinet is actually a small wooden box under a bookshelf at the moment. It is getting a bit full at the moment, but I live in the hope that one day I’ll have a big glass cabinet to actually display this stuff in its, uh, varying qualities. For now, it’s all about the most recent one.



SY: You’re known by many as the half-guard wizard, as you seem to almost exclusively rely on this position, what do you say to that?
 


OG: Well…I know a whole lot of people who are better than me in half-guard, but since it’s pretty much my whole game, I suppose it makes me stand out a little bit more than others on the scene. At the same time, it’s nice to know that there’s at least one part of the whole jiu-jitsu spectrum out there that you’re actually good at.
 
SY: You post the videos to all your fights online for everyone to see. Are you not worried about competitors learning too much about you?



OG: Not really. Honestly I don’t think my potential opponents really care enough to watch forty or fifty videos of one potential opponent. That said, there’s a big difference in knowing what to expect from someone and actually stopping them from doing it. Look at Paul Sass – he’s won every fight by triangle, people know that he’s going to try and do it but he somehow manages to make it work anyway.
 


SY: Your website lists all your fights, which total over 40 (BJJ and grappling) tournaments and comprise over 200 matches (150 wins with 98 by submission) in a little over 2 years. That’s a phenomenal number of competitions, why do you compete so much, are you attempting some sort of record?



OG: It gives me something to do on Sundays! No, seriously…it has a couple of purposes. On a basic level, I figure that the more I compete, the more likely I am to win things. Everyone has good days and bad days in jiu-jitsu, whether in the academy or on the mat in competition, and when you have a bad day, if the opposition is good, then you’re going to lose. So by competing more, you reduce the good day/bad day effect and you get to win things you might not normally if you only competed once. Secondly, the more people you fight in competition, the more times you have people ask questions of your
competition game, the more ready you are when you step up to the big IBJJF competitions and have to fight guys who seem like they have all the answers to your game. Plus, uh, winning a lot of stuff can only help with sponsorships, right?


SY: What was your toughest fight and who is your toughest opponent?



OG: Toughest fight…jeez. I’ve had my fair share of embarrassingly quick losses, but that’s not really a tough fight, it’s just me getting whipped. My fight in the Bristol Open Absolute final against Ryan from Mario Reis London was just an example of giving my all and getting beaten at every stage, while the toughest fight I ended up winning…probably was the final of the Abu Dhabi Pro European Trials against Helio Perdigao from Gracie Barra Lisbon. Pulled it out with two seconds to go, but made me work for it every step of the way.
 


SY: You teach and train BJJ fulltime, that must be an awesome job, what’s a typical day?



OG: Well, I have the privilege of working at the academy, so…I get in to work at about 12pm, take care of any jobs about the academy that need doing. If I’m training that day, I’ll jump in for the afternoon session, usually staying afterwards for an extra twenty minutes or half an hour of sparring. Then back to work again, maybe help out a little with a beginners’ class before training again in the evening, again staying for the extra sparring if my body’s up for it. I might teach a private class or two or maybe do some extra competition-specific training in the afternoon if there’s a group getting together for it. Then close up the academy and home to rest, ready to do it all over again.
 


SY: Are there any downsides to the job?



OG: I suppose the biggest downside is just how much of a time-sink it is, and how little flexibility you can have in your schedule. You never have enough free time, there’s always another session to do and…since it is your life, I guess you lose a bit of appreciation for what you do. A lot of guys have BJJ as their escape time, but when it’s your living, it’s not quite as compelling as it might otherwise be. Of course, it’s still compelling enough for me to choose to spend all my time doing it, so it can’t be that bad!
 


SY: So what’s the best thing about it then?
 


OG: The people you meet. Nearly everyone I’ve ever met in the BJJ community has been friendly, interesting and happy to chat to a random guy they’ve never met and likely never will again. I’ve had total strangers give me lifts to airports, sat down for coffee with guys I’ve fought hours earlier, and even shared a hotel room with a guy I’d seen fight my division earlier that day but never spoken to. I mean, who else can say that about what they do?



SY: You’ve stated quite openly that you want to be the first Brit to win the Worlds at black belt, how realistic do you think this is?
 


OG: I did? Um…I think I may have been kidding! My target in BJJ from close to day one has just been to go and fight the Mundials at Black Belt Adult and win a fight. But first of all, I’d just like to medal in the Worlds at any belt at all. When I eventually get to the black Belt division – I didn’t start when I was seven years old, I didn’t get my Black Belt in three and a half years…but just for one day, I’d like to be able to be up there with the guys who did.
 


SY: You also dabble in MMA (8-0-0), is this something you want to do more of in future and how much of a difference do you find it?
 


OG: Well, I’ve been keeping myself busy with Amateur MMA, which is basically grappling with slams and body shots allowed. It’s not exactly as ‘real’ as full Pro MMA, and the rules are kinda stacked in my favour as a grappler, but it does take you out of your comfort zone somewhat. When I feel ready I’ll step up to Semi-Professional and then eventually to full Professional rules. I don’t think I’ll ever make a career out of it, but I’d like to try it just once. If for no other reason than to say that I did.
 


SY: Who are your influences in BJJ and who do you admire?



OG: Phew. Influences could take a long time. I suppose the obvious ones are Roger, his father Maurição, all of the instructors at RGA and Eddie Bravo. But every one of the techniques I use regularly can be traced back to something I saw somewhere or tried out, with nearly every one coming from a different source completely.

SY: Yes, you have a lot of admiration for Eddie Bravo, spending time at his academy and even cheekily dubbing yourself ‘Teddy Bravo’ in MMA.

OG: That was never my choice! Blame a couple of my training partners for that one! Technically speaking though, my whole base came from Eddie Bravo – even though I was taught a lot of techniques, I ended up using his old Jiu-jitsu Unleashed material from somewhere around six months into my training. I’ve added a whole lot onto it from a whole lot of sources, but that’s where it all started, however much it might annoy some members of the BJJ community.


SY: Yes, why do you think Eddie Bravo causes such controversy in the BJJ community?

OG: I think partially because he isn’t Brazilian, partially because he only beat Royler and no one else ‘high level’ (or so people say, anyway) and partially because most people who use his stuff limit themselves to his stuff. They end up sticking to one or two techniques that just shut people down but don’t really create opportunities or help anyone advance their jiu-jitsu, which annoys training partners no end. Finally, he is very vocal about his opinions and some people find that rubs them the wrong way. Which is understandable, really.



SY: How did you find the training at Eddie’s academy?



OG: Strange, but really great too. Not just because I got to train a fair amount with the man, but it’s just the weirdest melting pot of an academy. Not only does it have a very small percentage of long-term students (when I was there, there was a huge number of visiting students, jiu-jitsu tourists, mundial competitors, whatever), but you never know what you’re getting into when you start a roll. There’s no belt, no preconceptions, you just have to start and then figure out where the roll is going to go. Also, where else can you train where you have a whole load of guys from different backgrounds: gi guys,
wrestlers, MMA fighters, all doing no-gi? It’s just so different to RGA that it just seems like the most sensible place to go when I’m in town and looking for something a little out of the ordinary.

SY: You seem to enjoy teaching, are you planning on opening your own academy one day?
 
OG: I think I’d like to hold off on opening my own academy until my top-flight competition days are done. You don’t have that much time to spend on it, so might as well spend it wisely. Six or seven years down the line, I’d definitely be thinking about it. I like teaching, and I wish I had more time to invest into students even now. There’s no greater experience in jiu-jitsu than teaching someone something and then watching them pull it off in sparring five minutes later. Puts competition success totally in the shade. Plus it takes a lot less pain and effort, which is always a plus.



SY: What else, apart from BJJ do you like to do to unwind?



OG: Sleep! Seriously though, the same old things most other people do. Watch TV, surf the net, normal things. Since I’m at the academy most hours, when I get home it’s late at night and there isn’t a lot going on, so I just chill. And surf the net hunting for other events to compete in, obviously!
 


SY: What’s your one tip for the average BJJ student who just wants to raise his/her game?
 


OG: Spar more. I know it sounds obvious, but in my humble opinion, if you’re not rolling every round of sparring, you’re not fit enough or you’re not relaxed enough in how you roll. And once you’ve done every round of sparring, stay after the class, find someone you know will give you a good roll, and do another twenty minutes or so straight. Mat time is basically the secret to success in my opinion, so the more of it, the better.



SY: Finally anyone else you want to thank?



OG: I owe a lot to my gi sponsors, Black Eagle Martial Arts, as well as to everyone in jiu-jitsu who has ever helped me get to a competition, offered to help me out with anything, or done anything for me without asking anything in return. You guys rock!

SY: Cheers Oli, good luck at the forthcoming tournaments, especially the World Pro Cup, see you at the next comp.

Seymour Yang writes the blog: meerkat69.blogspot.com and is a blue belt at the Mill Hill RGA, London.

Tournament Results Tuesday: NAGA World Championships

Here are the official results of NAGA’s World Championships, held on April 4 and 5 in Newark, New Jersey. We begin with the details from the gi divisions, followed by no-gi and the kids & teens divisions:

ADULT GI

Mens GI White Belt Bantam Weight
1st Place Frankie Appolito Guerrero
2nd Place Gabriel Fonseca Robert Moura
3rd Place Dave Mione OLBJ

Mens GI White Belt Fly Weight
1st Place Bienvend Diaz Edson Carvahlo
2nd Place Raymond Welch Link
3rd Place Bryant Baerga Elijah BJJ

Mens GI White Belt Feather Weight
1st Place Mateus Santos FB BJJ
2nd Place Justin Lutz Evolutionary MA
3rd Place Sean davies West Point MMA

Mens GI White Belt Light Weight
1st Place Colby Foster Link
2nd Place Christopher Flood Bittencourt
3rd Place Mark Picinic RGDA

Mens GI White Belt Welter Weight
1st Place Zach Enlow West Point MMA
2nd Place Ed Wilson Sernacks Karate

Mens GI White Belt Middle Weight
1st Place Alexander Verga Renzo Gracie
2nd Place Kenny Blewett Kurt Pellegrino
3rd Place Adam Curtis EBJJ

Mens GI White Belt Light Heavy Weight
1st Place Sang Son Madama
2nd Place Schuyler Milton CU BJJ
3rd Place William Yankauskas West Point MMA

Mens GI White Belt Cruiser Weight
1st Place Anthony Wilson Millville BJJ
2nd Place Bucky Dini Hudson Valley
3rd Place Robert Weir

Mens GI White Belt Heavy Weight
1st Place Michael Casserino Bedroc
2nd Place Jason Patterson Renzo Gracie
3rd Place Ryan McCarthy RW MMA

Mens GI Blue Belt Bantam Weight
1st Place David Phimsipasom Gigueto BJJ
2nd Place Rome Za Clockwork
3rd Place Jimmy Santiago Jungle Gym

Mens GI Blue Belt Fly Weight
1st Place Claudio Ledesma Renzo Gracie
2nd Place Matthew Maldonado Victory JJ
3rd Place Joao Paulo Albuqerque Kimura

Mens GI Blue Belt Feather Weight
1st Place Ryan Villogram Lloyd Irvin
2nd Place Troy Minarovic Simrell/Reality MA
3rd Place Robert Messina Marcos Santos

Mens GI Blue Belt Light Weight
1st Place
2nd Place
3rd Place

Mens GI Blue Belt Welter Weight
1st Place Ricardo Pena RGDA
2nd Place Manny George Madama
3rd Place Jim Kim Clockwork

Mens GI Blue Belt Middle Weight
1st Place Travis Anderson West Point MMA
2nd Place Jack Lopez Edson Carvahlo

Mens GI Blue Belt Light Heavy Weight
1st Place Louis Weber Edson Carvahlo
2nd Place Bryan Mariato Vamos BJJ
3rd Place Nelson Puentes Gold Team Fighters

Mens GI Blue Belt Cruiser Weight
1st Place Michael Kang Renzo Gracie
2nd Place Jared Patterson Martial Maxx
3rd Place Christian Burgeos Jungle Gym

Mens GI Blue Belt Heavy Weight
1st Place Ramin Azarm Vamos BJJ
2nd Place Dave Leone Quantum JJ
3rd Place Michael Andrillo Brooklyn BJJ

Mens GI Blue Belt Super Heavy Weight
1st Place David Paniccia Gracie Sports
2nd Place Steven Thomas Madama

Mens GI Purple Belt Light Weight
1st Place Isac Chaves Robson Moura
2nd Place Anthony Cincotta 50/50 BJJ
3rd Place Mohammad Mohebbi Savarese JJ

Mens GI Purple Belt Middle Weight
1st Place Pedro Mesquita Renzo Gracie
2nd Place Jeff Lentz Rhino Fight Team

Mens GI Purple Belt Super Heavy Weight
1st Place Grzegorz Szatlkowski Gold Team Fighters
2nd Place Andy Papadopoulos Renzo Gracie
3rd Place Brian Benjamin Ultimate Sambo

Mens GI Brown and Black Belt Light Weight
1st Place Alex Vamos Darce
2nd Place Macieji Link Gold Team Fighters

Mens Gi Brown and Black Belt Middle Weight
1st Place Daniel Tauares K poz
2nd Place Jorge Patino Gold Team Fighters
3rd Place Alex Vamos Darce

Mens GI Brown & Black Cruiser Weight
1st Place Diego Pereira Jucao
2nd Place Dan Boyle Balance
3rd Place Kevin Sheridan Alliance

Mens GI Brown & Black Super Heavy Weight
1st Place Mark Staniszewoski Combat Fight Club
2nd Place Damion Waltermeyer

Mens Masters White Belt Bantam Weight
1st Place Diego fonseca Gold Team Fighters
2nd Place Jose Tuazon Bittencourt
3rd Place Shane Kessock Elite MA

Mens Masters White Belt Light Weight
1st Place Victor Canez Royce Gracie
2nd Place Jim Schnappauf PKA

Mens Masters White Belt Welter Weight
1st Place Jovie Sorinao Ground Control
2nd Place George Acuna Renzo Gracie
3rd Place Tadeusz Rezmer Submit BJJ

Mens Masters White Belt Middle Weight
1st Place Thomas Garrett Bittencourt
2nd Place Glenn Mason NJ MA
3rd Place Roy Solfet Gracie

Mens Masters White Belt Lt. Heavy Weight
1st Place Vandro Alexandre Esporio Gracie Sports
2nd Place Matt Botterbusch Elite BJJ
3rd Place Erik Faust RGDA

Mens Masters White Belt Cruiser Weight
1st Place James Purcell Renzo Gracie
2nd Place Nathan Blew Gracie NY
3rd Place Joe Macaluso Budo JJ

Mens Masters White Belt Heavy White
1st Place Bryan Leclerc Alexey Cruz
2nd Place Hassan Dfavis Muhammad Edson Carvahlo
3rd Place Dan Davis Bedroc Submission Team

Mens Masters White Belt Super Heavy Weight
1st Place Christian Wright Saverse BJJ
2nd Place Jeff Sullens Top Flight
3rd Place Aronicimo Richotti

Mens Masters Blue Belt Fly Weight
1st Place Frank Petrosillo Renzo Gracie
2nd Place Darin Reisler Delima
3rd Place Patrick Turgeon Bedroc

Mens Masters Blue Belt Light Weight
1st Place Sean Welsh De La Riva
2nd Place Greg DiCrosta Royce Gracie
3rd Place Kham Ngondara Oliveira MMA

Mens Masters Blue Belt Middle Weight
1st Place John Kim JJ Inc
2nd Place Stanislav Dakhe Advanced BJJ
3rd Place Stephen Lunningham RGDA

Mens Masters Blue Belt Cruiser Weight
1st Place Alexander Nechaev Gracie Sports
2nd Place Bob Alves Gilett
3rd Place Marco Prisco Louis Ventaloro

Mens Masters Blue Belt Light Heavy Weight
1st Place Nick Mannello Thornwood
2nd Place Joe Gregory Bill Scott
3rd Place Richard McCarthy Balance

Mens Masters Blue Belt Heavy Weight
1st Place Brandon Jiles Delco BJJ
2nd Place Tiawan Howard Rising Dragon
3rd Place Dariel Charleswell Pellegrino MMA

Mens Masters Blue Belt Super Heavy Weight
1st Place Cornell Thomas Renzo Gracie
2nd Place Adam Magrath Gracie Sports
3rd Place Rich Longo Madama

Mens Masters Purple Belt & Above Light Weight`
1st Place Christian Masot RGDA
2nd Place Shawn Smith The Foundry

Mens Masters Purple Belt & Above Super Heavy Weight
1st Place Sam Osman Schilling BJJ
2nd Place Mark Stanisewski Combat Fight Club
3rd Place Eric Marandino Linl

Mens Masters Brown and Black Belt Light Weight
1st Place Mariusz Linke Gold Team Fighters
2nd Place Adailton F dos Reis Link
3rd Place Christopher Smith Underdog BJJ

Mens Masters Expert Cruiser Weight
1st Place Joe Oppendisonfur Gracie Sports
2nd Place Vin Esposito JJ Inc

Mens Executives Expert Light Weight
1st Place Alex Williams Dilema
2nd Place Steven Rodriguez Sr. Kaminari JJ
3nd Shaun Holmstrom Nova Uniao Arizona

Mens Executives Expert Heavy Weight
1st Place Mladen Holman Alexey Cruz
2nd Place Neil Keegstra Royce Gracie
3rd Place James Chico Hernandez Irish

Mens GI Black Belt Executives
1st Place Teimoc Johnston NYAC
2nd Place Kevin Cincotta Cincotta BJJ

Mens Directors White Belt Light Weight
1st Place Derek Kershner Ronin Athletics
2nd Place David Felsenheld del Pina JJ

Mens Directors White Belt Heavy Weight
1st Place Scott Davidson Gracie Sports
2nd Place Mike Tromba Submit BJJ
3rd Place Mark Sullivan Gracie Sports

Mens Directors Beginner Middle Weight
1st Place Scott Schult Training Ground
2nd Place Ben Yisreal Tiger
3rd Place Marco A. Rodriguez Lloyd Irvin

Mens GI Directors Intermediate Middle Weight
1st Place Steven Siegel Amorosi
2nd Place Anthony Balestrieri Codella Acad.
3rd Place Michael Balestrieri Codella Acad.

Womens Masters Blue Belt Light Weight
1st Place Maria Diddio Cambas Fight Club
2nd Place Krista abidin Soca BJJ
3rd Place Michael B

Womens White Belt Light Weight
1st Place Liz Milizio Ronin Athletics
2nd Place Maeklenin Fernandez Bull Shark
3rd Place Marta Stallhbaum Bull Shark

Womens White Belt Middle Weight
1st Place Daiya Craig Renzo Gracie
2nd Place Virginia Diaz CWOMAF
3rd Place Edrina Fergusson Gracie Sports

Womens White Belt Middle Weight
1st Place Aline Biggi Bittencourt
2nd Place Chantelle Perez Oliveira MMA

Womens White Belt Light Heavy Weight
1st Place Aleandra Fuller De La Riva
2nd Place Melissa Biviano Black Dragon
3rd Place Aline Biggi Bittencourt

Womens Blue Belt Fly Weight
1st Place Annalyn Holmstrom Nova Uniao Arizona
2nd Place Rachel Sazoff Hamilton MA

Womens Blue Belt Light Weight
1st Place Dominyka Obelenyte Lloyd Irvin
2nd Place Aarae Alexander Lloyd Irvin
3rd Place Chessa Au Vamos BJJ

Womens Blue Belt Middle Weight
1st Place Jessy Miele Underdog BJJ
2nd Place Mauela Villanova Renzo Gracie
3rd Place Nicole Freeman Russell JJ

Womens Blue Belt Light Heavy Weight
1st Place Jessy Miele Underdog BJJ
2nd Place Pamela Macelree New Generation

Womens Expert Fly Weight
1st Place Casey O’Brien RGDA
2nd Place Adila Souto Cesario

---

ADULT NO-GI

Mens NO-GI Novice Bantam Weight
1st Place Anthony Erdman
2nd Place Joseph Rene Taures MMA
3rd Place Kyle Zablocki RU BJJ

Mens NO-GI Beginner Bantam Weight
1st Place Beinvenido Diaz Edson Carlvalho
2nd Place Joel Dumers Link
3rd Place Sean Ashley Pedro Sauer

Mens NO-GI Intermediate Bantam Weight
1st Place Chris Caterino Bucket Bridage
2nd Place Thiago Carli Gold Team Fighters
3rd Place Joao Paulo Albuquerque Kimura

Mens NO-GI Expert Bantam Weight
1st Place Peter Kang Alliance
2nd Place Anthony Abidin Soca BJJ
3rd Place Chad H. Charileh RGDA

Mens NO-GI Intermediate Fly Weight
1st Place Roma Za Clockwork
2nd Place Jon Michael TSK
3rd Place Jimmy Santiago Jungle Gym

Mens NO-GI Expert Fly Weight
1st Place Eddie Chou Grapplers Guild Acad.
2nd Place Shane Burgos TSMMA
3rd Place Matthew Mallonado Victory JJ

Mens NO-GI Novice Feather Weight
1st Place Rolando Torres Gigueto
2nd Place Robert Oleynick Jerry Jones
3rd Place Steve Barnabei Diamond MMA

Mens NO-GI Beginner Feather Weight
1st Place Matues Santos FB BJJ
2nd Place Michael Olsen Jersey Fight Club
3rd Place Ramzey Prentiss Revolution Fitness

Mens NO-GI Intermediate Feather Weight
1st Place Phil Doig Modern MA
2nd Place Matthew Clay Ronin Athletics
3rd Place Chris Paulo Bloomsberg

Mens NO-GI Novice Light Weight
1st Place Yehonatan Jacobs TSMMA
2nd Place Anthony Natalie Simrell/Reality MA
3rd Place Bill Borton Ephrata MA

Mens NO-GI Beginner Light Weight
1st Place LaMent Milton Fury
2nd Place David Koberstren Ephrata MA
3rd Place Al Diesso Wilikes

Mens NO-GI Beginner Light Weight 2
1st Place Brent Yoder Rat Pack
2nd Place Jonathan Satava Tech-cell
3rd Place John Guzzi Kurt Pellegrino

Mens NO-GI Intermediate Light Weight
1st Place Anthony Sepalveda Jungle Gym
2nd Place Shane McDonald BMA
3rd Place Matt Jacobs

Mens NO-GI Expert Light Weight
1st Place Anthony Cincotta 50/50 BJJ
2nd Place Peter Shoemaker Renzo Gracie
3rd Place Gene Kobilansky Grapplers Edge

Mens NO-GI Novice Welter Weight
1st Place Ciro J. Lama TSMA
2nd Place Diego Da Silva Cesario JJ
3rd Place Ryan Bergeron Gilletts

Mens NO-GI Beginner Welter Weight
1st Place Brian Satcher Kurt Pellegrino
2nd Place Zach Enlow West Point Grappling
3rd Place Ed Wilson Sernaks Karate

Mens NO-GI Intermediate Welter Weight
1st Place John Barrett Kurt Pellegrino
2nd Place Michael Padilla Renzo
3rd Place Aaron Freedman Serra

Mens NO-GI Expert Welter Weight
1st Place Ricardo Pena RGDA
2nd Place Daniel Roberts OFC
3rd Place Alex Vamos Darce

Mens NO-GI Novice Middle Weight
1st Place Joseph Torturella Victors MMA
2nd Place James Harmonay Black and Blue
3rd Place Peter Murrugarra Gracie Sports

Mens NO-GI Beginner Middle Weight
1st Place Chris VanVliet Simrell/Reality MA
2nd Place Michael Carsey Soca BJJ
3rd Place Ryan Thiel TSMMA

Mens NO-GI Intermediate Middle Weight
1st Place Travis Anderson West Point MMA
2nd Place Michael Vasquez Simrell/Reality MA
3rd Place Alex Horowitcz Ronin Athletics

Mens NO-GI Expert Middle Weight
1st Place Ozzy Dugulubgov K Dojo
2nd Place Dan Boyle Balance
3rd Place Michael Rueschll Red Bear

Mens NO-GI Novice Light Heavy Weight
1st Place Kent Tarburton Milennium MA
2nd Place Nick Ehrtich Ground Control
3rd Place Bruce Hanna Gigueto

Mens NO-GI Beginner Light Heavy Weight
1st Place Andrew Copagna Vamos BJJ
2nd Place Schuyler Milton CUBJJ
3rd Place Volodymyr Polishuk

Mens NO-GI Intermediate Light Heavy Weight
1st Place Thomas K. Vanderhorst Bedroc
2nd Place Noah Faunce American Fighter
3rd Place Tom Backman Philly JJ

Mens NO-GI Expert Light Heavy Weight
1st Place Tom Manelski BJJ Shore Acad.
2nd Place Washington Moraes Cesario JJ
3rd Place Tom Gallicchio Kurt Pellegrino

Mens NO-GI Novice Cruiser Weight
1st Place S. James Cofoni III Elite Tactical MA
2nd Place Paul Tarangelo Jungle Gym
3rd Place Scott Cook RGDA

Mens NO-GI Beginner Cruiser Weight
1st Place Steve Lane Garfield BJJ
2nd Place Dennis Martinez NYBJJ
3rd Place Joe McCray Northeast Assasins

Mens NO-GI Intermediate Cruiser Weight
1st Place Will Nagy West Point Grappling
2nd Place Richard Delgado Jungle Gym
3rd Place Joshua Roy

Mens NO-GI Expert Cruiser Weight
1st Place Alexandre Monreno Link
2nd Place Tim Willimas Millville MMA
3rd Place Chris Wing WMA

Mens NO-GI Novice Heavy Weight
1st Place Michael Gracia Arygros Sport BJJ
2nd Place Alejandro Camargo Bull Shark MMA
3rd Place Benjamin Dailey

Mens NO-GI Beginner Heavy Weight
1st Place Michael Casserino Bedroc MMA
2nd Place Kurt Ratcliffe
3rd Place Michael Morris Jr. Ultimate Sambo

Mens NO-GI Intermediate Heavy Weight
1st Place Daneil Otero Bull Shark MMA
2nd Place Ramin Azarm Vamos BJJ
3rd Place Lewis Rumsey Team Vicious

Mens NO-GI Expert Heavy Weight
1st Place Derek Mangi Soca BJJ
2nd Place Devin Derrico Simrell/Reality MA
3rd Place Steven Edwards Black and Blue

Mens NO-GI Novice Super Heavy Weight
1st Place Desmond D. Walker Lion’s Den
2nd Place Dariel Charleswell Pellegrino MMA
3rd Place Greg Corbiere Beaupitts MMA

Mens NO-GI Beginner Super Heavy Weight
1st Place Anthony Mazzo Maganani Dojo
2nd Place Alex Chaparao Cko Lodi
3rd Place Brett Corbiere Beaupitts MMA

Mens NO-GI Intermediate Super Heavy Weight
1st Place David Paniccia Gracie Sports
2nd Place Rob Maselli Renzo
3rd Place Addison Lemay American Fighter

Mens NO-GI Expert Super Heavy Weight
1st Place Peter Kerantzas New Britian Judo
2nd Place Nicholas Caggia End Game
3rd Place Nolan Dutcher Lionkill JJ

Mens NO-GI Executive Beginner Cruiser Weight
1st Place George Sommers End Game
2nd Place Albert G. Bruhn WCSU Grappling
3rd Place Harry Ruesch

Mens NO-GI Executives Expert Heavy Weight
1st Place Neil Keegstra Royce Gracie
2nd Place James Chico Hernandez Irish

Mens NO-GI Executives Expert Cruiser Weight
1st Place Kevin Cincotta Cincotta BJJ
2nd Place Thomas Sconzo Total Fighting Concepts
3rd Place Shaun Holmstrom Nova Unaio Arizona

Mens NO-GI Directors Beginner Light Weight
1st Place Matt Schneider TSK
2nd Place Kevin Ekler Hudson Valley
3rd Place John Kimball Codella Acad.

Mens NO-GI Directors Beginner Middle Weight
1st Place Steven Siegel Amorosi
2nd Place Walt Wentland Budo JJ
3rd Place Ben Yisreal Tiger

Mens NO-GI Directors Intermediate Light Weight
1st Place Derek Kershner Ronin Athletics
2nd Place Bob Janeczko ETMA

Mens NO-GI Directors Intermediate Middle Weight
1st Place Kirk Bontempo Perriera BJJ
2nd Place Michael Balestrieri Codella Acad.
3rd Place Marco A. Rodriguez Lloyd Irvin

Mens NO-GI Directors Intermediate Heavy Weight
1st Place Mladen Holman Alexy Cruz

Mens NO-GI Directors Intermediate Heavy Weight
1st Place Mariusz Linke Gold Team Fighters
2nd Place Frank Staeblein Summ Cuique
3rd Place Zoe Kelly All N Conditioning

Mens NO-GI Directors Expert Middle Weight
1st Place Anthony Argyros Argyros BJJ
2nd Place Joseph Martini Rocco MMA
3rd Place John Wilson Delco BJJ

Masters NO-GI Intermediate Bantam Weight
1st Place Patrick Ashley Pedro Sauer
2nd Place Patrick Turgeon Bedroc MMA
3rd Place Craig Derosa Gracie Barra

Masters NO-GI Beginner Feather Weight
1st Place Steve Fallon Codella A
2nd Place Victor Canez Royce Gracie
3rd Place Jason Denolfo

Masters NO-GI Intermediate Feather Weight
1st Place Kham Ngondara Oliveira MMA
2nd Place Angelo Vicari Ronin Athletics
3rd Place Addison Lemay American Fighter

Masters NO-GI Beginner Light Weight
1st Place Jim Lepping Grapplers Guild Acad.
2nd Place Luisa Rosa RGDA
3rd Place Shawn Smith The Foundry

Masters NO-GI Intermediate Light Weight
1st Place Daryl Fort Cesar Gracie
2nd Place Paul Paulovitch BJJ
3rd Place Greg DiCrosta Jim Hughes/Royce Gracie JJ

Masters NO-GI Beginner Welter Weight
1st Place Jason Eib Modem MA
2nd Place Jim Newman Delima
3rd Place Matthew Munski Renzo of PA

Masters NO-GI Expert Welter Weight
1st Place Adailton F. Does Reis Link
2nd Place Christian Masot RGDA

Masters NO-GI Beginner Middle Weight
1st Place David Palomino End Game
2nd Place Johnny Orellana
3rd Place John Brinkman Simrell/Reality MA

Masters NO-GI Intermediate Middle Weight
1st Place Dave Cristman Rat Pack
2nd Place Cilio R. Junior Cold Team
3rd Place Steohen Cummingham RGDA

Masters NO-GI Expert Middle Weight
1st Place Alex Suhonosou Jorge Gurgel
2nd Place Greg Mikovich Renzo gracie
3rd Place Zach Koonce Ronin Athletics

Masters NO-GI Beginner Light Heavy Weight
1st Place Matt Botterbusch Elite BJJ
2nd Place Jorge Hernandez Budo JJ
3rd Place Erik Faust RGDA

Masters NO-GI Intermediate Light Heavy Weight
1st Place John Ritayik Black and Blue
2nd Place Tim Clark NYCBJJ
3rd Place Sean Carnaham Jerry Jones

Masters NO-GI Expert Light Heavy Weight
1st Place Crais Hannigan Jerry Jones
2nd Place Heath Macaluso Budo JJ
3rd Place Kirkland Campbell TSK

Masters NO-GI Beginner Cruiser Weight
1st Place Eddie Aviles Gorilla Club
2nd Place Paul Paone Ronin Athletics
3rd Place Brian Lombardi Budo JJ

Masters NO-GI Intermediate Cruiser Weight
1st Place Rick Knight Balance
2nd Place Manuel Villafane Ronin Athletics
3rd Place Joey Tecce UDSF

Masters NO-GI Expert Cruiser Weight
1st Place Erick Tavares Bull Shark MMA
2nd Place Vin Esposito JJ Inc.
3rd Place Tiawan Howard Rising Dragon

Masters NO-GI Beginner Heavy Weight
1st Place Hassan Davis Muhammad Edson Carlvalho
2nd Place Rashid Muhammad Budo JJ
3rd Place Bryan Leclerc Alexey Cruz

Masters NO-GI Intermediate Heavy Weight
1st Place Brandon Jiles Delco BJJ
2nd Place Hassan Davis Muhammad Edson Carlvalho

Masters NO-GI Beginner Super Heavy Weight
1st Place Christian Wright Saverse BJJ
2nd Place Aronicimo Richotti
3rd Place Jeff Sullens Lloyd Irvin

Masters NO-GI Expert Super Heavy Weight
1st Place Marco De Lima Delima
2nd Place Sam Osman Schilling BJJ
3rd Place Eric Marandino Link

Womens Directors
1st Place Jeanette Young TSMMA
2nd Place Endrina Fergusson Gracie Sports

Womens Masters NO-G Intermediate Lightweight
1st Place Brigitte Narcise K Dojo
2nd Place Maria Dido Combat Fight Club

Womens NO-GI Novice Fly Weight
1st Place Jo Ann Siskidis Tech-Cell
2nd Place edna Teresi Bedroc MMA
3rd Place Marta Stallhbaum Bull Shark MMA

Womens NO-GI Novice Light Weight
1st Place Theresa Romano Jerry Jones
2nd Place Kelly Coughlin Ultimate MMA
3rd Place Stefanie Howlett Trident

Womens NO-GI Novice Middle Weight
1st Place Alexandra Fuller De La Riva
2nd Place Shannon Davis Bedroc Submission Team
3rd Place Courtney Bradley Beaupitts MMA

Womens NO-GI Novice Light Heavy Weight
1st Place Marielle Lysaght Revolution Fitness
2nd Place Jessica Grady Ligers Pride

Womens NO-GI Beginner Fly Weight
1st Place Yesee Park TSK
2nd Place Cheryl Ellenwood Bedroc

Womens NO-GI Beginner Light Weight
1st Place Daiya Craig Renzo PA
2nd Place Brooke Mullen Jerry Jones
3rd Place Endrina Fergusson Gracie Sports

Womens NO-GI Beginner Middle Weight
1st Place Angie Nieves TSMMA
2nd Place Maryana Suzano Gracie Sports
3rd Place Stephanie Nutzul Combat Fight Club

Womens NO-GI Beginner Light Heavy Weight
1st Place Chantelle Perez Oliveira MMA
2nd Place Angie Nieves TSMMA

Womens NO-GI Intermediate Fly Weight
1st Place D Eurweilher Nadege
2nd Place Daniel Hobeira Overtime MMA
3rd Place Anna Holmstrom Nova Unaio Arizona

Womens NO-GI Intermediate Light Weight
1st Place Chessa Au Vamos BJJ
2nd Place Katherine Waddell Gigueto
3rd Place Brigitte Narcise K Dojo

Womens NO-GI Intermediate Middle Weight
1st Place Mauela Villanova Renzo Gracie
2nd Place Nicole Freemad Russell

Womens NO-GI Expert Light Weight
1st Place Aarae Alexander Lloyd Irvin
2nd Place Krista Abidin Soca BJJ
3rd Place Adila Souto Cesario JJ

---

KIDS AND TEENS

Kids NO-GI Novice 49.9 lbs. & Under
1st Place Kayla Jones Jerry Jones
2nd Place Sofia Macaluso Team Budo
3rd Place Andrew Peek Spa City

Boys NO-GI Novice 49.9 lbs. & Under
1st Place Joshua Sanford Maxercise
2nd Place Trevor Beecroft Impulse MMA/Jerry Jones
3rd Place Mia Macaluso Team Budo

Boys GI Novice 49.9 lbs & under 5 & 6 year olds
1st Place Kayla Jones Jerry Jones
2nd Place Derek Francis Maxercise
3rd Place Sofia Macaluso Team Budo

Boys GI Novice 49.9 lbs. and Under
1st Place Trevor Beecroft Impulse MMA/Jerry Jones
2nd Place Joshua Sanford Maxercise
3rd Place Mia Macaluso Team Budo

Boys NO-GI Beginner 49.9 lbs. and Under
1st Place Tanner Peak Spa City
2nd Place Brian Espada Maxercise
3rd Place Cesar Rodriguez Lloyd Irvin

Boys NO-GI Beginner 49.9 lbs. and Under 5 & 6 year olds
1st Place Weston Greenwood Fiona
2nd Place David Orellana Jungle Gym
3rd Place Penelpoe Schnieder Gracie Barra Westchester

Boys GI Beginner 49.9 lbs. and Under
1st Place Brian Espada Maxercise
2nd Place Cesar Rodriguez Lloyd Irvin
3rd Place Penelpoe Schnieder Gracie Barra Westchester

Boys NO-GI Expert 49.9 lbs. and Under
1st Place Austin Carr Method
2nd Place Noah Bida K Dojo
3rd Place Raphael Marascio TSMMA

Boys NO-GI Expert 49.9 lbs. and Under 7 & 8 year olds
1st Place Ryan Burgos TSMMA
2nd Place Dylan Guido Jerry Jones
3rd Place Aaron T. Guzman Jungle Gym

Boys GI Expert 49.9 lbs. and Under
1st Place Dylan Guido Jerry Jones
2nd Place Raphael Marascio TSMMA
3rd Place Austin Carr Method

Girls NO-GI Novice 50 to 59.9 lbs.
1st Place Amber Kollar Kipp’s Basement
2nd Place Sabrina Krasner Amaorosi
3rd Place Jada Foote TSMMA

Boys NO-GI Novice 50 to 59.9 lbs.
1st Place Maxwell Greenwood Fiona
2nd Place Jonathan Sengbounpheng Maxercise
3rd Place Elijah Dorsey Lloyd Irvin

Boys GI Novice 50 to 59.9 lbs.
1st Place Maxwell Greenwood Fiona
2nd Place Jonathan Sengbounpheng Maxercise

Girls NO-GI Beginner 50 to 59.9 lbs.
1st Place Madison Patrick Ephrata MA
2nd Place Felicia Napoli Bensenhurst

Kids NO-GI Beginner 50 to 59.9 lbs
1st Place Brian Swentkowski TSMMA
2nd Place Zach Wentz Rat Pack
3rd Place Sabrina Sabaitni Pedro Sauer

Boys NO-GI Beginner 50 to 59.9 lbs.
1st Place Ethan Diamond Kurt Pelligrino
2nd Place Jonthan Caputo Kurt Pelligrino
3rd Place Gunner Spain Tri State MA

Boys NO-GI Beginner 50 to 59.9 lbs. 8 year olds
1st Place Craig Cook TSMMA
2nd Place Kenny Santucci Jerry Jones
3rd Place Jaylen Spangler Ephrata MA

Boys GI Beginner 50 to 59.9 lbs.
1st Place Ethan Diamond Kurt Pelligrino
2nd Place Jonathan Caputo Kurt Pelligrino
3rd Place Kenny Santucci Jerry Jones

Boys GI Beginner 50 to 59.9 lbs. 8 year olds
1st Place Robert Kanniard Kurt Pelligrino
2nd Place Jaylen Spangler Ephrata MA
3rd Place Asher Smith Pedro Sauer

Boys NO-GI Intermediate 50 to 59.9 lbs.
1st Place Nicholas Koenig Team Budo
2nd Place Marco N. Frederico Lloyd Irvin
3rd Place Kobe Adolph Lloyd Irvin

Boys NO-GI Intermediate 50 to 59.9 lbs. 6 to 8 year olds
1st Place Noah Falabella Lloyd Irvin
2nd Place Evan Scribner Fiona
3rd Place Damen Moyer Rat Pack

Girls Gi Intermediate 50 to 59.9 lbs.
1st Place Sabrina Sabatine Pedro Sauer
2nd Place Alyia Perez Ultimate Sambo
3rd Place Casie Henderson Spa City

Boys GI Intermediate 50 to 59.9 lbs. 6 to 8 year olds
1st Place Evan Scribner Fiona
2nd Place Jaiden O’Connell Fiona
3rd Place Daren Moyer Rat Pack

Boys GI Intermediate 50 to 59.9 lbs.
1st Place Nicholas Koenig Team Budo
2nd Place Kobe Adolph Lloyd Irvin
3rd Place Marco N. Frederico Lloyd Irvin

Girls NO-GI Expert 50 to 59.9lbs.
1st Place Emily Spadaccino Pedro Sauer
2nd Place Jovanii Alvarez TSMMA
3rd Place Alyia Perez Ultimate Sambo

Girls Expert 50 to 59.9 lbs.
1st Place Shyla Macaluso Team Budo
2nd Place Savanna Marji Jungle Gym
Boys NO-GI Expert 50 to 59.9 lbs.

1st Place Romeo Gilmore Lloyd Irvin
2nd Place Darren Jones Jerry Jones
3rd Place Adam Abida K Dojo

Girls GI Expert 50 to 59.9 lbs.
1st Place Makenna Tyler Spa City
2nd Place Emily Spadaccino Pedro Sauer
3rd Place Shyla Macaluso Team Budo

Boys GI Expert 50 to 59.9 lbs.
1st Place Romeo Gilmore Lloyd Irvin
2nd Place Darren Jones Jerry Jones

Girls NO-GI Novice 60 to 69.9 lbs.
1st Place Desiree Santa Maria Jersey Fight Club
2nd Place Shayna Benskie Team Budo

Boys NO-GI Novice 60 to 69.9 lbs.
1st Place Michael Jannucci TSMMA
2nd Place Joseph Yanis Team Budo
3rd Place Zachary Abbey TSMMA

Boys GI Novice 60 to 69.9 lbs.
1st Place Joseph Yanis Team Budo
2nd Place Jarred Harrison Maxercise
3rd Place Joey Bluzzese Renzo

Girls NO-GI Beginner 60 to 69.9 lbs
1st Place Isabella Lapolla Amaorosi
2nd Place Madison Colon JFC
3rd Place Brittany Rehberg Bedroc Submission Team

Boys NO-GI Beginner 60 to 69.9 lbs.
1st Place Sam Lehman Sernacks Karate
2nd Place Thiago Stallhbaum Bull Shark MMA
3rd Place Noah Lehman Sernacks Karate

Boys NO-GI Beginner 60 to 69.9 lbs. 7 & 8 year olds
1st Place Cole Zamora Renzo
2nd Place Liam Bernard Maxercise
3rd Place Gabriel Rodrigues Renzo Gracie

Girls GI Beginner 60 to 69.9 lbs.
1st Place Deshimar Rodriguez Rivera Kaminari
2nd Place Emily Rehberg Bedroc Submission Team
3rd Place Brittany Rehberg Bedroc Submission Team

Boys GI Beginner 60 to 69.9 lbs.
1st Place Liam Bernard Maxercise
2nd Place Gabriel Rodrigues Renzo Gracie
3rd Place Connor Vanpelt Impulse MMA/Jerry Jones

Girls NO-GI Intermediate 60 to 69.9 lbs. 7 yo 9 year olds“
1st Place Mya McDowell
2nd Place Victoria Frazer Pedro Sauer

Girls NO-GI Intermediate 60 to 69.9 lbs.
1st Place Hannah Newman TSMMA
2nd Place Victoria Frazer Pedro Sauer

Boys NO-GI Intermediate 60 to 69.9 lbs. 11 year olds
1st Place Noah Caruso Maxercise
2nd Place Ryan Freeman End Game
3rd Place Brett Boyle Vamos

Boys NO-GI Intermediate 60 to 69.9 lbs.
1st Place Kai Lockhart Linxx Acad.
2nd Place Kieran Brown TSMMA

Girls GI Intermediate 60 to 69.9 lbs.
1st Place Mya McDowell
2nd Place Victoria Frazer Pedro Sauer

Boys GI Intermediate 60 to 69.9 lbs.
1st Place Kai Lockhart Linxx Acad.
2nd Place Brett Boyle Vamos
3rd Place Dominick Scalesse Vamos

Boys NO-GI Expert 60 to 69.9 lbs.
1st Place Isaiah Edmond Lloyd Irvin
2nd Place John Ladisa Jungle Gym
3rd Place Jacob Tyler Spa City

Boys NO-GI Expert 60 to 69.9 lbs. 10 to 13 year olds
1st Place Donald Christman III BTT
2nd Place Reshad Mati TSMMA
3rd Place Jeremiah Robinson Lloyd Irvin

Boys GI Expert 60 to 69.9 lbs. 10 & 11 year olds
1st Place Donald Christman III BTT
2nd Place Reshat Mati TSMMA
3rd Place Nakita Ababiy Gracie

Boys GI Expert 60 to 69.9 lbs. 8 & 9 year olds
1st Place lsaiah Edmond Lloyd Irvin
2nd Place Shaun Northcutt Revolution
3rd Place Jacob Tyler Spa City

Boys GI Expert 60 to 69.9 lbs.
1st Place Justin Waters Lloyd Irvin
2nd Place Cyncere Eichererger Pedro Sauer
3rd Place Eugene Skobler Zenbu

Girls NO-GI Novice 70 to 79.9 lbs.
1st Place Jillian Frost Jersey Fight Club
2nd Place Tatiana Torres Kipp’s Basement
3rd Place Alyssa Zangari Panza

Boys NO-GI Novice 70 to 79.9 lbs. 7 & 8 year olds
1st Place Armando Alvarez TSMMA
2nd Place Nathan Runk Renzo

Boys GI Novice 70 to 79.9 lbs.
1st Place Tariq Bines Maxercise
2nd Place Nathan Runk Renzo
3rd Place Rich Longo Madama

Girls NO-GI Beginner 70 to 79.9 lbs.
1st Place Jackie Jones TSMMA
2nd Place Taylor Colon JFC
3rd Place Emily rehberg Bedroc Submission Team

Boys NO-GI Beginner 70 to 79.9 lbs.
1st Place Michael Ilic Renzo
2nd Place Zachary Kornberg TSMMA
3rd Place Jon Kyle Thorpe TSMMA

Boys GI Beginner 70 to 79.9 lbs. 8 & 9 year olds
1st Place Gabriel Rodrigues Bittencourt
2nd Place Justin Luna Mrkulic

Boys GI Beginner 70 to 79.9 lbs.
1st Place Michael Ilic Renzo Gracie
2nd Place Marco A. Rodriguez Lloyd Irvin
3rd Place Darwin Reyes Kaminari

Boys NO-GI Intermediate 70 to 79.9 lbs
1st Place Ronny Ghaida TSMMA
2nd Place Michael LaRuffa Team Budo
3rd Place Adrian Javier TSMMA

Boys GI Intermediate 70 to 79.9 lbs.
1st Place Ryan Freeman End Game
2nd Place Ryan Lackey Lloyd Irvin
3rd Place Jabbar Hussie Jr. Lloyd Irvin

Boys NO-GI Expert 70 to 79.9 lbs.
1st Place Lucas Ortiz RGDA
2nd Place Justin Waters Lloyd Irvin
3rd Place Santino Codella Codella Acad.

Girls NO-GI Novice 80 to 89.9 lbs.
1st Place Carol Wright Impulse MMA/Jerry Jones
2nd Place Kayla Alvarado TSMMA

Boys NO-GI Novice 80 to 89.9 lbs.
1st Place Christian Cagnacci Fiona
2nd Place Jason Javier TSMMA
3rd Place Zaire Brown Bull Shark MMA

Boys NO-GI Novice 80 to 89.9 lbs. 8 & 9 year olds
1st Place Henry Altamirando Bull Shark MMA
2nd Place Christopher Durso TSMMA
3rd Place Jared Vengas Panza

Kids GI Novice 80 to 89.9 lbs.
1st Place Henry Altamirando Bull Shark MMA
2nd Place Zaire Brown Bull Shark MMA
3rd Place Carol Wright Impulse MMA/Jerry Jones

Boys NO-GI Beginner 80 to 89.9 lbs.
1st Place Norlet Osmani TSMMA
2nd Place Evan Lee
3rd Place Kayla TSMMA

Boys NO-GI Beginner 80 to 89.9 lbs. 11 & 12 year olds
1st Place Vinny Giacomo Panza
2nd Place Thomase Rodriguez Amaorosi
3rd Place Paul Pichirallo Advanced MA

Boys GI Beginner 80 to 89.9 lbs.
1st Place Matthew Gambetta Real World MMA
2nd Place Paul Pichirallo Advanced MA
3rd Place Andrew Kanniard Kurt Pelligrino

Girls NO-GI Beginner 80 to 89.9 lbs.
1st Place Reese Cuevarra TSMMA
2nd Place Hannah Deuber Maxercise
3rd Place Lexi Thomas Ephrata MA

Boys NO-GI Intermediate 80 to 89.9 lbs.
1st Place CJ Budhi NYCBJJ
2nd Place Andrew Benskie Team Budo
3rd Place Ryan Snyder Northern NY Judo

Girls Intermediate GI 80 to 89.9 lbs.
1st Place Hannah Deuber Maxercise
2nd Place Reese Guevarra TSMMA
3rd Place Bianc Codella Codella Acad.

Boys GI Intermediate 80 to 89.9 lbs.
1st Place CJ Budhi NYCBJJ
2nd Place Ryan Snyder Northern NY Judo
3rd Place Andrew Benskie Team Budo

Boys NO-GI Expert 80 to 89.9 lbs.
1st Place Carlo Levell Lloyd Irvin
2nd Place Marquis Whitlow Lloyd Irvin
3rd Place Shayne Cosme-Jackson Fiona

Boys GI Expert 80 to 89.9 lbs. 10 & 11 year olds
1st Place Carlo Levell Lloyd Irvin
2nd Place Shane Jamil Hill-Taylor Lloyd Irvin
3rd Place Kahlil R. Wood LI MMA

Boys NO-GI Expert 80 to 89.9 lbs. 12 & 13 year olds
1st Place Jesse James Kasakocisk PSDTC
2nd Place JT Bernier Jesey Fight team
3rd Place Shane Jamil Hill-Taylor Lloyd Irvin

Boys NO-GI Expert 80 to 89.9 lbs. 8 to 10 year olds
1st Place Jerry Jones Jr. Jerry Jones
2nd Place Danny Hapshy K Dojo
3rd Place Jahan Muhammad Team Budo

Boys GI Expert 80 to 89.9 lbs.
1st Place Jerry Jones Jr. Jerry Jones
2nd Place Theo Addison Cabeca
3rd Place Cyncere Eichererger Pedro Sauer

Girls NO-GI Beginner 90 to 99.9 lbs.
1st Place Alicia Davis Bedroc
2nd Place Yana Bonilla Edson Carvahlo
3rd Place Jacqueline Aldana Jersey Fight Club

Boys NO-GI Beginner 90 to 99.9 lbs.
1st Place Jacob Turpin Linxx Acad.
2nd Place Matthew Kumar AMMA
3rd Place Alicia Davis Bedroc Submission Team

Boys GI Beginner 90 to 99.9 lbs.
1st Place Jacob Turpin Linxx Acad.
2nd Place Lyana Bonilla Edson Carvahlo
3rd Place Brian Tsintas Kamnari

Boys NO-GI Intermediate 90 to 99.9 lbs.
1st Place Lance Earl Ford Boyle MMA
2nd Place Vincente C. Frederico Lloyd Irvin
3rd Place Luidgi Faubert Renzo

Boys GI Intermediate 90 to 99.9 lbs.
1st Place Lance Earl Ford Boyle MMA
2nd Place Vincente C. Frederico Lloyd Irvin
3rd Place Luidgi Faubert Renzo

Boys NO-GI Expert 90 to 99.9 lbs.
1st Place Tate De Los Reyes RGDA
2nd Place Ti-Jean Awad Lloyd Irvin
3rd Place Ross Olexa Lloyd Irvin

Boys GI Expert 90 to 99.9 lbs.
1st Place Tate De Los Reyes RGDA
2nd Place Ti-Jean Awad Lloyd Irvin
3rd Place Sage Northcutt Revolution

Boys NO-GI Novice 100 to 114.9 lbs.
1st Place Gene Fitzgerald Impulse MMA/Jerry Jones
2nd Place Trentino Melone Bull Shark MMA
3rd Place Darrien A. Salgado LA Boxing

Boys NO-GI Novice 100 to 114.9 lbs.
1st Place Gene Fitzgerald Impulse MMA/Jerry Jones
2nd Place Trentino Melone Bull Shark MMA

Boys GI Novice 100 to 114.9 lbs.
1st Place Joseph Bubble Rat Pack
2nd Place Robert Diaz TSMMA
3rd Place Grant Paplin TSMMA

Kids NO-GI Beginner 108 lbs.
1st Place Erin Blanchfield TSMMA
2nd Place Erika Laumann TSMMA
3rd Place Matthew Lynch TSMMA

Boys NO-GI Beginner 100 to 114.9 lbs. 10 & 11 year olds
1st Place Richard Aldarondo TSMMA
2nd Place Connor Gibbons Fighting Dragons MMA
3rd Place David Burgos Jungel Gym

Boys NO-Gi Beginner 100 to 114.9 lbs. 12 & 13 year olds
1st Place Aaron Freeman End Game
2nd Place Eric Ng TSMMA
3rd Place James Thompson TSMMA

Girls NO-GI Intermediate 100 to 114.9 lbs.
1st Place Amanda Love Balance
2nd Place Rebecca Civic Spa City

Boys GI Beginner 100 to 114.9 lbs.
1st Place Aaron Freeman End Game
2nd Place Michael Steve JBM Acad.
3rd Place Eddie Martinez Kaminari JJ

Girls GI Intermediate 100 to 114.9 lbs.
1st Place Amanda Love Balance
2nd Place Rebecca Civic Spa City

Girls NO-GI Expert 100 to 114.9 lbs.
1st Place Gabby Falabella Lloyd Irvin
2nd Place Amanda Love TSMMA
3rd Place Kaitlyn Laumann TSMMA

Boys NO-GI Expert 100 to 114.9 lbs.
1st Place Avery Scripture Renzo
2nd Place Connor Lyons K Poz
3rd Place Max Cepeda TSMMA

Girls GI Expert 50 to 59.9 lbs.
1st Place Gabby Falabella Lloyd Irvin
2nd Place Juiette Ladisa Jungel Gym
3rd Place Amanda Love Balance

Boys GI Expert 100 to 114.9 lbs.
1st Place Avery Scripture Renzo
2nd Place Troy Metcalf Linxx Acad.
3rd Place Graylin Walker Lloyd Irvin

Girls NO-GI Novice 115 to 129.9 lbs.
1st Place Nicole Fitzgerald Impulse MMA/Jerry Jones
2nd Place Christy Snover Impulse MMA/Jerry Jones

Boys NO-GI Novice 115 to 129.9 lbs.
1st Place Reese Fowler Wings MA
2nd Place John Escobar Fiona

Girls GI Novice 115 to 129.9 lbs.
1st Place Christy Snover Impulse MMA/Jerry Jones
2nd Place Nicole Fitzgerald Impulse MMA/Jerry Jones

Boys GI Novice 115 to 129.9 lbs.
1st Place John Escobar Fiona
2nd Place Reese Fowler Wings MA

Girls NO-GI Beginner 115 to 129.9 lbs.
1st Place Ariela Safra Fiona
2nd Place Sabyne Nicolas TSMMA
3rd Place Carissa Bryant TSMMA

Boys NO-GI Beginner 115 to 129.9 lbs.
1st Place Matrix White Hit Squad
2nd Place Stephen Valensisi Panza
3rd Place Kyle Hung

Girls GI Beginner 115 to 129.9 lbs.
1st Place Belizabeth Rodriguez Kaminari JJ
2nd Place Ariela Safira Fiona
3rd Place Amanda Anzovino Impulse MMA/Jerry Jones

Boys GI Beginner 115 to 129.9 lbs.
1st Place Carlos Vega Kaminari JJ
2nd Place Jose Torres Kaminari JJ
3rd Place Kyle Hung

Girls NO-GI Intermediate 115 to 129.9 lbs.
1st Place Ariela Safira Fiona
2nd Place Farraf Jelahey K Dojo

Boys NO-GI Intermediate 115 to 129.9 lbs.
1st Place Alex Vigna Fiona
2nd Place Angus Koller The Acad.
3rd Place AJ Taurone Hudson Valley JJ

Boys GI Intermediate 115 to 129.9 lbs.
1st Place AJ Taurone Hudson Valley JJ
2nd Place Reese Beaden Lloyd Irvin
3rd Place Angus Koller The Acad.

Boys NO-GI Expert 115 to 129.9 lbs.
1st Place Malachi Edmond Lloyd Irvin
2nd Place Aarae Alexander Lloyd Irvin
3rd Place Gabriel Abdulir

Kids GI Expert 115 to 129.9 lbs.
1st Place Malachi Edmond Lloyd Irvin
2nd Place Aarae Alexander Lloyd Irvin

Boys NO-GI Novice 130 to 179.9 lbs.
1st Place Samer Hadmonhamed Rising Sun
2nd Place Andrew Aldana Jersey Fight Club
3rd Place Dakota Suarez

Boys NO-GI Novice 130 to 179.9 lbs. 14 & 15 year olds
1st Place Samer Hadmonhamed Rising Sun
2nd Place Ryan Enders Sucgang

Boys GI Novice 130 to 179.9 lbs.
1st Place Samer Hadmonhamed Rising Sun
2nd Place Christopher Parise ACMMA

Girls GI Beginner 130 to 179.9 lbs.
1st Place Ariela Safira Fiona
2nd Place Tanya Perez Team Budo

Boys NO-GI Beginner 130 to 179.9 lbs.
1st Place Christopher Castilioni Rat Pack
2nd Place Ryan Saylor Rat Pack
3rd Place Anthony Scardilli Scardilli

Boys NO-GI Beginner 130 to 179.9 lbs. 13 &14 year olds
1st Place Alex Karaqi Black Dragon
2nd Place Andrew Aldana Jeresy Fight Club
3rd Place Omar Samkough K Dojo

Girls GI Beginner 115 to 129.9 lbs. 14 & 15 year olds
1st Place Ariela Safira Fiona
2nd Place Tanya Perez Team Budo

Boys GI Beginner 130 to 179.9 lbs.
1st Place Steven Rodriguez Kaminari JJ
2nd Place Jay Rivera Kaminari JJ
3rd Place Luis A. Muniz Kaminari JJ

Girls NO-GI Intermediate 130 to 179.9 lbs.
1st Place Kianna Washington Lloyd Irvin
2nd Place Alyssa Roman TSMMA
3rd Place Gia Espostio ACMMA

Boys NO-GI Intermediate 130 to 179.9 lbs.
1st Place Jacob Christman Rat Pack
2nd Place Anthony Lee Amorasis MMA
3rd Place Ben Barone Black Dragon

Girls GI Intermediate 130 to 179.9 lbs.
1st Place Kianna Washington Lloyd Irvin
2nd Place Gia Espostio ACMMA

Boys GI Intermediate 130 to 179.9 lbs.
1st Place Alex Marche
2nd Place Stephen Low Warrior MA

Girls NO-GI Expert 130 to 179.9 lbs.
1st Place Alissa Roman TSMMA
2nd Place Amanda Marji Jungle Gym

Boys NO-GI Expert 130 to 179.9 lbs.
1st Place Derrick Holmes Lloyd Irvin
2nd Place Raymond Sherwood Ultimate MMA
3rd Place Stephen Law Pedro Sauer

Girls GI Expert 130 to 179.9 lbs.
1st Place Kianna Washington Lloyd Irvin
2nd Place Amanda Marji Jungle Gym

Boys GI Expert 130 to 179.9 lbs.
1st Place Raymond Sherwood Ultimate MMA
2nd Place Derrick Holmes Lloyd Irvin
3rd Place Jake Smolinsky RGDA

Teen NO-GI Girls Novice
1st Place Jessica Linse Extreme Karate
2nd Place Jordan Rickard AFS

Teen GI Girls Novice
1st Place Jessica Linse Extreme Karate

Teen NO-GI Girls Beginner
1st Place Ariala Safira Fiona
2nd Place Tanya Perez Team Budo

Teen NO-GI Girls Expert
1st Place Aarae Alexander Lloyd Irvin
2nd Place Colbey Northcutt Revolution
3rd Place Gabrielle Alicea Pedro Sauer

Teen GI Girls Expert
1st Place Aarae Alexander Lloyd Irvin
2nd Place Dominyka Obelenyte Lloyd Irvin
3rd Place Colbey Northcutt Revolution

Teen NO-GI Intermediate Bantam Weight
1st Place Hasan Ahjmed
2nd Place Marc Spergel Black Dragon
3rd Place Dylan Ekis RGDA

Teen GI Intermediate Bantam Weight
1st Place Marc Spergel Black Dragon
2nd Place Dylan Ekis RGDA

Teen NO-GI Expert Bantam Weight
1st Place Brendon Bonilla Warrior MA
2nd Place Jordan Berry Northern NY Judo
3rd Place Chris Carmen Militech

Teen GI Expert Bantam Weight
1st Place Brendon Bonilla Pedro Sauer
2nd Place Jordan Berry Northern NY Judo

Teen NO-GI Novice Fly Weight
1st Place Brenden Gonzalez Gorilla MMA
2nd Place Kane Oakes Hart to Heart
3rd Place Kristopher Regan Millenium MA

Teen GI Novice Fly Weight
1st Place Carlo Luciano Toledo Black Dragon

Teen NO-GI Beginner Fly Weight
1st Place Adam Wagner Evolutionary MA
2nd Place Dustin WV Real World MMA
3rd Place David Baez Jungle Gym

Teen GI Beginner Fly Weight
1st Place Dustin Wu Real World MMA
2nd Place Colton Parsons Evolutionary MA
3rd Place Adam Wagner Evolutionary MA

Teen NO-GI Intermediate Fly Weight
1st Place Andrew Glass Simrell/Reality MA
2nd Place Ryan Kessler Tetsushin

Teen GI Intermediate Fly Weight
1st Place Ryan Kessler Tetsushin
2nd Place Eric Jonas Serra

Teen NO-GI Expert Fly Weight
1st Place Cedric Bryant Lloyd Irvin
2nd Place Andrew Glass Simrell/Reality MA
3rd Place Josh Hilditch Nitsu MMA

Teen GI Expert Fly Weight
1st Place Cedric Bryant Lloyd Irvin

Teen NO-GI Novice Light Weight
1st Place Graham Cerminara Beaupits MA
2nd Place Zacharie Bernier Peloton
3rd Place Matt Hooben TSMMA

Teen GI Novice Light Weight
1st Place James Van Nostrand Kurt Pellegrino
2nd Place Lee Pillar Impulse MMA/Jerry Jones
3rd Place Nate Towery Slaughter

Teen NO-GI Beginner Light Weight
1st Place Nachum Serota Panza MMA
2nd Place Nicholas Campanini Black Dragon
3rd Place Kyle Oflaherty AFS

Teen GI Beginner Light Weight
1st Place Jared Guido Rogers Aggression
3rd Place Arin Hahn BMA
3rd Place Mitchell Waichman Team Budo

Teen NO-GI Intermediate Light Weight
1st Place Javier Guzman TSMMA
2nd Place Jesh Aluzzo Tetsushin
3rd Place Sam Curran Renzo Gracie

Teen GI Intermediate Light Weight
1st Place Nicholas Campanini Black Dragon
2nd Place Connor Kennedy Tetsushin
3rd Place Sam Curran Renzo Gracie

Teen NO-GI Expert Light Weight
1st Place Mitchell Adamson Beaupits MA
2nd Place Dmitryi Poltavski BCB JJ
3rd Place James Carlucci

Teen GI Expert Light Weight
1st Place Ryan Villogram Lloyd Irvin
2nd Place Dmitryi Poltavski BCB JJ
3rd Place Mitchell Adamson Beaupits MA

Teen NO-GI Novice Middle Weight
1st Place Billy McFarland Tyrone Elijah BJJ
2nd Place Kovi Ruskin De La Pena
3rd Place Christian Alcala

Teen GI Novice Middle Weight
1st Place Dario Basile US Gold Team
2nd Place Daniel Mellon Extreme Karate
3rd Place Billy McFarland Tyrone Elijah BJJ

Teen NO-GI Beginner Middle Weight
1st Place Michael Brenkert Vamos JJ
2nd Place Conor Adams Tri State MA
3rd Place Evan Cohn MFS

Teen GI Beginner Middle Weight
1st Place Anthony Zuccaro Zenbu JJ
2nd Place Matt Smith Kurt Pellegrino
3rd Place Conor Adams Tri State MA

Teen NO-GI Intermediate Middle Weight
1st Place Ben Bradford Beaupits MA
2nd Place Nelson Guerrero Black Dragon
3rd Place Robert Rosa

Teen GI Intermediate Middle Weight
1st Place Nelso Guerrero Black Dragon
2nd Place Ben Bradford Beaupits MA

Teen NO-GI Expert Middle Weight
1st Place Matthew Roman TSMMA
2nd Place John Farrar Bedroc Submission Team
3rd Place Tyler Gudmundsson Evolutionary MA

Teen GI Expert Middle Weight
1st Place John Farrar Bedroc Submission Team
2nd Place Tyler Gudmundsson Evolutionary MA
3rd Place Bryan Schwartz

Teen NO-GI Novice Heavy Weight
1st Place Scott Satcher Kurt Pellegrino
2nd Place Alec Wolinski Ground Control Owings Mills
3rd Place Mickey Call RGDA

Teen GI Beginner Heavy Weight
1st Place Raymond Brenkert Vamos JJ
2nd Place Osmin Quintanilla TSMMA

Teen NO-GI Expert Heavy Weight
1st Place Riche Gases Gracie
2nd Place Jacob Orbach-Smith Renzo Gracie

Teen NO-GI Novice Super Heavy Weight
1st Place Ryan Hall Extreme Karate
2nd Place Benji Buckles ETMMA

Teen NO-GI Beginner Super Heavy Weight
1st Place Jeremy Wilson Millville BJJ
2nd Place Mickey Call RGDA
3rd Place Raymond Brenkert Vamos JJ

Teen GI Beginner Super Heavy Weight
1st Place Jeremy Wilson Millville BJJ
2nd Place Mickey Call RGDA
3rd Place John Iaciofoli Codella

Teen NO-GI Intermediate Super Heavy Weight
1st Place Daniel Suarez Training Ground
2nd Place Jacob Orbach-Smith Renzo Gracie
3rd Place Jeremy Wilson Millville BJJ

Teen GI Intermediate Super Heavy Weight
1st Place Jonthan Lesner Maxercise
2nd Place Jacob Orbach-Smith Renzo Gracie

NAGA’s official write up for the event is found here. Congrats to all the competitors!

#160 Alliance's Jacare Cavalcanti on Their Plan to Win the Mundials

Romero “Jacare” Cavalcanti, the head of Alliance Jiu-Jitsu in the United States.

After winning the 2008 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Pan-Ams and the 2008 BJJ World Championships, Alliance Jiu-Jitsu was expected to win the 2009 BJJ Pan-Ams by most jiu-jitsu observers. However it was not meant to be, as Gracie Barra took the gold medal and Gracie Humaita edged out Alliance by a handful of points, leaving Alliance with the bronze.

Our guest this week on our BJJ radio show is a founder of Alliance Jiu-Jitsu and its leader here in the United States, and after listening to today’s show you better believe that Alliance is going to pull out every bit of firepower in its arsenal to win the gold medal at the 2009 Mundials, which take place in Los Angeles from June 4th to the 7th. Romero “Jacare” Cavalcanti makes it clear in this interview that the squad’s toughest guys will be coming from all over to help defend their title as world champions this summer. Check out this partial list of black belts that Jacare and Fabio Gurgel will put on the mats at the Mundials:

• Tarsis Humphreys
• Bruno Malfacine
• Gabriel Vella
• Lucas Lepri
• Michael Langhi
• Rubens “Cobrinha” Charles
• Marcelo Garcia

Yes, you read that correctly: among the list of perennial medalists above, in this episode Jacare announces that Marcelo Garcia is returning to action in IBJJF events! Don’t miss this week’s episode, as you’ll not only hear from one of the few men ever to receive a black belt from Rolls Gracie, but he will share just what Alliance does to step it in to high gear so that (small) juggernauts like Cobrinha and the rest of Alliance are prepared to take on the world at the 2009 Mundials.

[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (recommended)
[mp3] Download the show

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EXCERPT FROM “JACARE” CAVALCANTI INTERVIEW

Caleb: I think you said something that was historically important. [You said that] there was a time when Carlinhos (Carlos Gracie Jr). decided to move and begin a school in a distant neighborhood. That distant neighborhood was called Barra wasn’t it?

Jacare Cavalcanti: [laughs] Yes, it was Barra de Tijuca and I didn’t have a car. He was going to be too far for me to go, having to catch a couple of buses. It was out of hand. But Rickson was closer, he treated us very nice. He had an outstanding group of guys to train at the time. I remember on any given day on the mat there was Marcelo Behring (that passed away), Rickson trained with us every day, Royler, Rolker, and a bunch of other guys. All the guys were black belts, the ones who started training under Rolls, like Talarico, Luis Palhares, Fabio Santos, Marcio Macarrao… Man it was a bunch of guys. It was fun. Training was very hard, especially the morning training at 11am. It was heaven. You could train with a bunch of black belts and brown belts and it was just great. Rickson was very excited, teaching every day, training every day, pushing everyone hard, so it was a lot of fun.

Caleb: So we’ve come to a point where around the age of 35 you started your own career path. Tell us how that started. When did you start going in your own direction?

Jacare Cavalcanti: Well I got a proposal. Carlson Gracie hooked me up in a gym that had a lot of potential. [It had] a lot of guys working out, and I needed the money. I had graduated in physical education. I was doing a few things here and there but this opportunity just [fell] in my lap. And also a guy that had a really good judo school decided to pass the ball to me to teach jiu-jitsu. Between these two schools I was able to make some money and I was able to continue my career as a coach, teaching. That’s when I opened my own gym. It was called Jacare Jiu-Jitsu. That was my first gym. That’s where Fabio Gurgel, his brother Fernando Gurgel, Alexandre Paiva, and some of those guys who are famous today used to train back in the day.

Caleb: And at what point was Alliance born? How did that happen?

Jacare Cavalcanti: Well it was a natural process. I started to teach in 1985. Around 1989 or 1990 I started to produce my black belts. Remember that in Brazil people train very hard, you know? Morning, evening, afternoon. Most guys if they don’t have a job they train jiu-jitsu all day. That’s how they can achieve black belt in such time, let’s say 4 or 5 years, like Fabio Gurgel. And of course, the guy has to have talent. Anyway, Fabio graduated and I was looking for a place. In the same building there was an old theater. The owner decided to rent, and me and Fabio put the money down. I had some savings, Fabio had some savings and he sold his motorcycle. It was something around thirty thousand dollars to rebuild everything, and to remodel. Then I invited him and we first had the Master school, Master Jiu-Jitsu. It was me and him: Master Jiu-Jitsu. And then the other guys that graduated like Alexandre Paiva and the other guys started to have their own places and we started to compete against each other. And that creates a problem because my students didn’t want to train with the other guys despite the fact that they were friends. They said, “Man, we’re going to show our games to those guys”, and that’s when I came up with the idea to found Alliance. Having everybody under one flag, you know? I was the head guy and the last word was always mine but everybody worked together like in a democracy. Everybody (the top guys) had their own opinion, and that’s how we started. Unfortunately, after I came to live in the United States, the guys had some problems over there because of a new federation that was offering money and this and that, and the guys got excited about getting money. Fabio didn’t agree, the other guys wanted to go, like Demian Maia, like Comprido. Some of the young guys, you know? And that’s when the problem was really big. And then we had the split for a few years and we were kind of a small team but now I think we’re reborn, back on top. Last year we won the Pan-Ams, we won the World Championship, and I think we have a great team. If you can bring everyone to compete in the United States, I think it’s going to be helpful against the other big schools like Gracie Barra and Gracie Humaita.

Caleb: Tell me a little bit more about the global spread of Alliance. I know that you guys exist in more countries than Brazil and the United States. Where else is Alliance?

Jacare Cavalcanti: We have Alliance in about eight countries in Europe. In Europe it’s very strong. We had outstanding results at the last European Championship. I personally have an association in Croatia that has a lot of good guys with very good results. Fabio has two in Germany. In France we have Paulo Sergio, one of our black belts. Alexandre Paiva has an association in Poland and in France. We have schools in Italy, so in Europe we are very strong. In Canada we have an association with Jeff Joslin and Dragon, and there are some really good guys. Jeff used to fight in the UFC. He’s a really tough guy and is my first Canadian black belt. We also have Alliance in South America, Ecuador, and I think now Soluco has Peru. So it’s pretty much global. We work in some schools in Asia, in Korea and in Japan. And hopefully in the future we’re going to be able to have schools in these countries.

Caleb: That’s encouraging to hear because to different degrees, as we were talking about earlier, Gracie Barra is big just about everywhere. Humaita has schools all over but a little bit less centralized. So it’s a good thing to hear that Alliance is moving forward in a united direction around the world.

Jacare Cavalcanti: Yes because what happened? Gracie Barra established the headquarters in California, and Gracie Humaita too. So Saulo Ribeiro and Xande Ribeiro are doing really good work in San Diego, and with Royler helping. Royler has a big association. Megaton has a good association too. And Saulo and Xande too. So then, they are very strong right now and they have their headquarters in California. The main tournament is in California. Gracie Barra is the same thing. Gracie Barra has schools around the corner in every city in California. So it’s very easy for them to have everybody together, to have the guys there before the main tournaments. So they have a big structure. I’m in Atlanta, so I am far. So I think at least they should do a tournament in other states other than California. Because that benefits them a lot. But anyway this is not an excuse. We’re going to get stronger, and me and Fabio have a plan to have about 30 guys coming from Brazil. Our top guns that didn’t compete in California [at the 2009 Pan-Ams] will compete this time. We are going to be strong in every division.

Caleb: That sounds like a small army and that’s pretty exciting. Let’s talk about competition. The most recent news is of course the Pan-Ams and I don’t know if you knew this, but on our website we had a poll about who people thought was going to win the Pan-Ams. Most people thought Alliance was going to win the Pam-Ams.

Jacare Cavalcanti: Well that’s true. And people had that kind of expectation because of the 2008 Pan-Ams and the 2008 Mundial. In the last Pan-Ams and Mundial we won about everything. In the Mundial on Saturday, one day before the tournament ended, before the black belts stepped on the mats, we already knew that we were the winners. And we doubled the points of second place (I believe it was Gracie Barra or Humaita). So our guys [came from] all the United States to compete. [In the 2009 Pan-Ams] because of this economic situation, we could not bring our best guys. We had great numbers and a lot of people competing. Out of 25 guys from Atlanta who competed, 20 guys came back with medals. Those were outstanding results; we placed a lot of people in the adult divisions, in the masters divisions, in the senior divisions. So this school is very balanced in all these divisions. But I knew it was going to be tough because we could not bring Bruno Malfacine, Gabriel Vella, Gabriel Golar, Tarsis Humphreys, Sergio Morais, and a bunch of other guys like Batista, Chris Moriarty… all these guys could not compete. But now, in this Mundials, I can promise you that it’s going to be different. I also got sick. I was not able to really push everybody. Because if I’m healthy I’m going to push everybody no matter what. I’m going to organize, I’m going to push all my guys in the associations, and make everybody ready to go. But unfortunately things happen. But I hope we’re going to retain our title and do much better than in the Pan-Ams.

…

Caleb: You said Cobrinha has a bunch of really tough guys surrounding him and we all know that. But it’s interesting that sometimes, the guys who are most dominant, like Roger Gracie is in London a lot of the time and he’s not surrounded by black belts. He’s got a few around but I don’t think it’s the same as being in Rio. Just like Rafael Lovato Jr. – most of the year, he’s in Oklahoma and there’s not a million black belts for him to compete and train against all day long. Same with Cobrinha.

Jacare Cavalcanti: Yes. Exactly. So what do you need to do? You need to train smart. You need to be smarter. That’s the secret. All the guys like Cobrinha here in Atlanta, Lovato, and Roger in London, it’s because the guys are smart when they train. You don’t need to be surrounded by black belts and the top competitors to be on top of your game. If you train smart every day, if you push yourself [intelligently] every day of course you’re going to continue to maintain your level. A week or two, for example, before the main tournament, we have guys come in to train with us. Like Lucas Lepri who comes from New York before the big tournaments, and Michael Langhi. And this way they can get an extra push. The come to train over here. And that’s one of our secrets, or one of the good guys’ secrets like Lovato and Roger Gracie that can maintain the same level without being surrounded by the top partners.

Caleb: You just mentioned your camp. I know you have them for the Pan-Ams, and I recently read a statement that you guys have a new camp on the way for the Mundials. And that’s open to anybody right?

Jacare Cavalcanti: Yeah that’s open to anybody. One week or ten days before the Mundial we’re going to do [a camp]. I already spoke with Fabio Gurgel so he’s bringing about 30 guys from Brazil. A small army. All the top competitors will be here. Marcelo Garcia will be in the house, training, because Marcelo wants to compete again and he’s going to be competing in the Mundials. We’re going to have Lucas Lepri here 15 days before [the Mundials]. We’re going to have another guy, Rafael coming over. Felipe Neto is coming from Florida with some guys. The camp is open to anybody but our intention is to have all our best guys training together for at least a period of one week to fifteen days before the Mundials. That’s the intention. And we’re going to have this camp. It’s going to be wonderful. Fabio is going to be here, like I said, Marcelo Garcia, Cobrinha… It’s open to anybody that wants to come. I already have a hotel that’s going to be $50 per night, close by with a kitchen. And we’re going to have a great structure for the guys to come and enjoy. It doesn’t matter, our doors are open to anybody. We’re not going to be like, “Oh okay, you train with Gracie Barra, well you can’t train over here; you train with this school you can’t train over here.” No, it’s open to anybody who wants to come and train with us before the Mundial. It’s fine.

Caleb: [laughs] That sounds like a dream vacation for an average person and if you’re going to prepare for the Mundials a great opportunity. You said something I cannot let go. I know that Marcelo Garcia is preparing [to compete in the] Abu Dhabi Pros in the next month or so. I know there’s some prize money on the line for that. But did you say that Marcelo Garcia is going to compete at the Mundials also?

Jacare Cavalcanti: Also in the Mundials in California. Yes, I am telling you firsthand right now that he’s going to compete in the Abu Dhabi. He’s also going to come and train with us like a week before the Mundial and we’re all going to go together to Long Beach and our goal is to win again and to show that our style of jiu-jitsu is on top again. It took a many years [to get to such a high level]. Even guys who used to train with us used to talk a lot of things, like “Alliance is dead” and so on. But I think that the main instructors like me and Fabio, Alexandre, Felipe Neto, all the guys, we always thought that it would be possible to rebuild the team. And that’s what happened. Right now regardless if we win or lose, we are on top again. You always expect to have Alliance on the podium.

BJJ Poll: Do You Deserve the Jiu-Jitsu Belt You Currently Wear?

Sometimes people in Brazilian jiu-jitsu may feel like they are not ready to wear the belt that their instructor gave them. Other times someone who trains BJJ may think that their instructor is too slow in promoting them. And of course some people think that their belt suits them perfectly. What about you?

Feel free to speak your mind (anonymously if you want) in the comments below. And many thanks to FightWorks Podcast listener Ross for the suggestion of this week’s BJJ Poll!

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