Win an Isami Gi in the Tournament Review Tuesday Contest!

June 30, 2009

isami gi

Who doesn’t want a new gi? Most of us probably don’t need a new gi but I think most jiu-jitsu people are always eager to have another one in our arsenal! Well here’s your chance to get one shipped to your doorstep!

Yes, it’s time for another contest here on TheFightWorksPodcast.com! Unlike Brazilian jiu-jitsu techniques, which have seemingly infinite layers of details, winning this brand new Isami gi is really a pretty simple process:

  • Write a review of a Brazilian jiu-jitsu tournament for us to publish in our Tournament Review Tuesdays column and you’ll be entered into the contest!
  • Multiple entries are allowed! Compete and send us five TRT columns and you’ll have five opportunities to win!
  • Yes, if you’ve already written a TRT piece in 2009, those count as entries.
  • We will draw a winner at random from the entries in December and soon after you will have this new Isami gi on your doorstep.

So what are you waiting for? Find a jiu-jitsu tournament on iCompete.org, and let us know how it went!

Many, many thanks to ChokeSports.com for their generous contribution of the Isami gi!

Tournament Review Tuesday: British BJJ Open

June 23, 2009

british jiu-jitsu
World champion Braulio Estima referees a womens blue belt absolute match.

by Seymour Yang

The cancellation of the annual Gracie Invitational in the UK this year led many to call for a big replacement event. Up stepped world champion Braulio Estima and his Gracie Barra team in Birmingham to stage the British BJJ Open. With over 620 competitors spread out over 8 mats, this event did not disappoint in terms of size and scale.

Fresh from his gold medal win at the 2009 Mundials, Braulio Estima hosted the tournament with his characteristic smile and geniality. Everyone here was made to feel welcome. Anticipation was high in the preceding few weeks and days as the numbers of entries were adding up and rumours were speculating as to who would be fighting.

The venue chosen was the Cockmoors Wood Leisure Centre in Birmingham, UK, which is only about 2.5 hours drive from London. One slightly odd arrangement was the placement of blue belts right at the end of the day, after all the white, purple, brown and black belts had finished. As a side note, it was amusing to see the reactions of a small aikido class being held in a glass fronted room surrounded by swarms of BJJ competitors waiting to enter the main hall. A case of old skool being given rude and loud awakening by the nu skool.

The crowd had plenty of great fights to see. All eyes especially were on the hot young British talents on display today. 19 year old Stephen Martin, wearing a brand spanking new purple belt (awarded after his Bronze medal win at the Mundials) fought brilliantly to make the purple lightweight final, only to lose on points to Oli Geddes.

Another brand new purple belt was Omar Rashid who wasted no time in despatching his opponents to claim the purple belt mens featherweight division. And the blue belts too had some very technical and exciting matches especially those involving Daniel Agard, just 17 years old and a blue under Felipe Souza. Daniel fought with flair and mastery way beyond his years to reach his final, finally running out of gas. We’ll see a lot more of him in the future.

For such a big event, the whole tournament ran incredibly smoothly and pretty much on schedule. A minor gripe could be made perhaps regarding the incomprehensible PA louspeaker and the overall lack of space. But there was a general air of excitment and the buzz was good among competitors and spectators alike. Everyone got a free t-shirt and fightgear was awarded to all gold medal winners.

The UK proudly boasts two current black belt world champions (Roger Gracie and Braulio Estima) who base their academies here. The success of today shows that the UK can comfortably host a big competition that draws an international cast of participants. Perhaps one day soon, the UK could host the IBJJF European Championships? My congratulations to Braulio, Steve Fan and all the crew for organising a brilliant tournament.

british jiu-jitsu
Christine McDonagh (bottom) attemts a triangle choke on Dominique Vitry in a womens blue belt match.


Seymour Yang trains at the Mill Hill Roger Gracie Academy (http://www.millhillju-jitsuclub.com) and writes the Meekatsu BJJ blog. He won Bronze at the BJJ Open.

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

UPDATE June 23 at 12:13PM Pacific: we received the following from Braulio Estima…

  • In the blue belt Chris Bowe was the highlight with his new blue belt awarded 2 weeks after the event he won his weight super heavy and absolute submitting 6 of his 8 opponents
  • Black belt high light was the final between Alexandre Izidro vs Marcus Nardine.
  • In black belt open weight Thiago Monstro brought back 100 pounds plus a brand new Keiko Raca gi.
  • At the brown belt Luciano Cristovan won gold on the absolute.
  • The high light at the brown was another brand new belt awarded guy, Yuri Simoes who won the world at the purple belt weight and absolute and fought for the first time at the brown belt and won gold beating Luciano in the final of the middle weight division.
  • The girls division was the biggest ever in the UK. The high light was the Abu Dhabi veteran the Irish Caiohme McGill.
  • Tournament Results Tuesday: BJJ British Open

    June 23, 2009

    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 partial results of the BJJ British Open which took place June 21st in the United Kingdom.

    If you are a tourney organizer, we encourage you to send us the results of your Brazilian jiu-jitsu and submission grappling events too. If you are a competitor, feel free to send us a write up of your competition experience as well! Details are here.


    BLACK OVER 80KG
    RICHARD MARTIN CARLSON GRACIE REVOLUTION GOLD
    ARLANS SIQUEIRA SILVER
    EDDIE KONE ROYLER GRACIE ACADEMY BRONZE

    BLACK UNDER 80KG
    ALEXANDRE IZIDRO ZE MARCELLO/ PEDRO BESSA GOLD
    MARCUS NARDINE NARDINE BJJ GLASGOW SILVER
    HENRIQUE SANTA GB JOINT BRONZE
    LEOPOLDO PIRES GB MARIO REIS JOINT BRONZE

    BROWN ABSOLUTE
    LUCIANO CRISTOVAN RGA GOLD
    ANDY COSTELLO ITALO FERREIRA SILVER
    MICHAEL RUSSEL BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU SCHOOL JOINT BRONZE
    DIMITRI OLIVEIRA RGA JOINT BRONZE

    BROWN FEATHER ADULT
    TOM BARLOW GB BRAULIO ESTIMA GOLD
    SIMON MCGOVERN GB STOKE LAGARTO SILVER

    BROWN LIGHT ADULT
    MICHAEL RUSSEL BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU SCHOOL GOLD
    DARREN YEOMANN ITALO FERREIRA SILVER
    DIMITRI OLIVEIRA RGA BRONZE

    BROWN LIGHT SENIOR
    LUIZ RIBEIRO CHECKMAT GOLD
    EAMONN MADI BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU SCHOOL SILVER

    BROWN MEDIUM HEAVY ADULT
    YURI SIMOES RGA GOLD
    LUCIANO CRISTOVAN RGA SILVER
    ANDY ROBERTS RGA ANDY ROBERTS BRONZE

    BROWN SUPER HEAVY MASTER
    GNAT PRZEMO DRYSDALE JJ GOLD
    ANDY COSTELLO ITALO FERREIRA SILVER
    JACKSON FORTUNATO BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU SCHOOL BRONZE

    PURPLE FEATHER ADULT
    OMAR RASHID RICK YOUNG ACADEMY GOLD
    CHANAKA WEERASINGH ZE MARCELLO/ PEDRO BESSA SILVER
    WESLEY TREVELLYAN GB BRAULIO ESTIMA JOINT BRONZE
    MARLON MORAES ZE MARCELLO/ PEDRO BESSA JOINT BRONZE

    PURPLE FEATHER ADULT FEMALE
    CAOIMHE SUITOR GRACIE REVOLUTION GOLD
    JENN WEBB BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU SCHOOL SILVER

    PURPLE HEAVY ADULT
    PIOTR KAPRAL GB BRAULIO ESTIMA GOLD
    RORY PALMER ZE MARCELLO/ PEDRO BESSA SILVER
    LEE ANTHONY HOWES GB NEWCASTLE BRONZE

    PURPLE HEAVY MASTER
    TOM WILSON GB BRAULIO ESTIMA GOLD
    MATTHEW NORRIS GB BRAULIO ESTIMA SILVER
    ED BROWN BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU SCHOOL JOINT BRONZE
    STEVEN BRAND BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU SCHOOL JOINT BRONZE

    PURPLE LIGHT ADULT
    OLI GEDDES RGA GOLD
    STEPHEN MARTIN GB BRAULIO ESTIMA SILVER
    MAX LIMA RGA VIE ACADEMY JOINT BRONZE
    SIMON DAVIES ZE MARCELLO/ PEDRO BESSA JOINT BRONZE

    PURPLE LIGHT ADULT FEMALE
    AISLING DALY SBG IRELAND GOLD
    ESTHER TANG ECBJJ SILVER
    KATIE RODD CARLSON GRACIE REVOLUTION BRONZE

    PURPLE LIGHT MASTERS
    DANIEL ECBJJ GOLD
    NATHAN ROBERTS GB BRAULIO ESTIMA SILVER
    STEVEN WAN GB STOKE LAGARTO JOINT BRONZE
    DAVID LEE ZE MARCELLO/ PEDRO BESSA JOINT BRONZE

    PURPLE MALE ABSOLUTE
    DOMINIC DEBIA ? GOLD
    RYAN SOOSANAZAD GB MARIO REES SILVER
    WILLEN PETERS GRACIE BARRA nl JOINT BRONZE
    ANTONIO HENRIQUE RGA JOINT BRONZE

    PURPLE MEDIUM ADULT
    RORY QUARRIER BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU SCHOOL GOLD
    ROBERT TAYLOR GB BRAULIO ESTIMA SILVER
    NISAR SHAIKH CARLSON GRACIE REVOLUTION BRONZE

    PURPLE MEDIUM HEAVY ADULT
    RYAN SOOSANAZAD GB MARIO REES GOLD
    WILLEM PETERS GRACIE BARRA nl SILVER
    ROB VESTNEY ECBJJ JOINT BRONZE
    STUART GWILT GB BRAULIO ESTIMA JOINT BRONZE

    PURPLE MEDIUM HEAVY MASTER/SENIOR
    DAVID IVERSON GB BRAULIO ESTIMA GOLD
    KAROL STASIAK PRETORIAN SILVER
    TOM KING SBG BRONZE

    PURPLE MIDDLE MASTER
    SCOTT PICKERING TEAM SUKATA WARRINGTON GOLD
    WAQAR AHMED CARLSON GRACIE REVOLUTION SILVER
    ADAM SANDERSON BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU SCHOOL JOINT BRONZE
    AUSTIN GARDENER CHECKMAT JOINT BRONZE

    PURPLE SUPER FEATHER ADULT
    LUKE COLE GB BRAULIO ESTIMA GOLD
    MANJIT BHAMBRA ZE MARCELLO/ PEDRO BESSA SILVER

    PURPLE SUPER HEAVY ADULT
    RAFAEL NERY CHECKMAT GOLD
    MISIEK ZE MARCELLO/ PEDRO BESSA SILVER

    PURPLE SUPER SUPER HEAVY ADULT
    JAMES BLAND GB NEWCASTLE GOLD
    ANTONIO HENRIQUE RGA SILVER
    GREGG RODGERS GB LAGARTO BRONZE

    MURALI PANCHALINGHAM CARLSON GRACIE REVOLUTION GOLD

    BLUE FEATHER ADULT
    LUCASZ GRATIKOWSKI GB BRAULIO ESTIMA GOLD
    JAMES DUNAWAY ROYCE GRACIE BJJ SILVER
    DANIEL KEY JOINT BRONZE
    JAMES GALLAGER JOINT BRONZE

    BLUE FEATHER ADULT FEMALE
    JULIE MORGAN CHECKMAT GOLD
    PIPPA GRANGER ECBJJ SILVER
    CHRISTINE MCDONAGH GB BRAULIO ESTIMA BRONZE

    BLUE FEATHER MASTER/SENIOR
    WESLEY EPHSON LEAO DOURADO UK GOLD
    WILHAM SANTOS RGA VIE ACADEMY SILVER
    GEOFFREY SAUTNER ?? JOINT BRONZE
    RODGER MIDDLETON RGA2 JOINT BRONZE

    BLUE HEAVY ADULT
    CHRIS REAGAN GB BRAULIO ESTIMA GOLD
    VASILE PANFIL RGA SILVER
    JACK MCDONALDS CHECKMAT JOINT BRONZE
    SHAUN PARRY GB SWANSEA JOINT BRONZE

    BLUE HEAVY MASTER SENIOR
    PAUL WHYMAN COMBAT BASE N/E GOLD
    KEITH TAYLOR ZE MARCELLO/ PEDRO BESSA SILVER
    DAVE SMITH CARLSON GRACIE REVOLUTION JOINT BRONZE
    JASON BIRTH RGA JOINT BRONZE

    BLUE LIGHT ADULT
    MARK CURRY SBG GOLD
    DANIEL AGARD BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU SCHOOL SILVER
    JAMES EASLY GB LAGARTO JOINT BRONZE
    ADAM ABBAS MARC WALDER BJJ JOINT BRONZE

    BLUE LIGHT FEMALE
    SHEENA DAVIS RGA GOLD
    SABINE BATTNER KENPOKAN HANNOVER SILVER
    PAULA CAROLINA REMES CHECKMAT JOINT BRONZE
    EMMA BAKER GB BRAULIO ESTIMA JOINT BRONZE

    BLUE LIGHT MASTER
    KARIM SHAH CARLSON GRACIE REVOLUTION GOLD
    CHRISTOPHER NOLAN CARLSON GRACIE REVOLUTION SILVER
    MARIUSZ BARYLA GB BRAULIO ESTIMA JOINT BRONZE
    GRAEME KIDD SBG MANCHESTER JOINT BRONZE

    BLUE LIGHT SENIOR
    RITHY PRIKER ZE MARCELLO/ PEDRO BESSA GOLD
    CHRIS RAWLINS GB BRAULIO ESTIMA SILVER
    HUGH MALONE GRACIE BARRA NI JOINT BRONZE
    JAMES DONNELLY SBG IRELAND JOINT BRONZE

    BLUE MEDIUM HEAVY ADULT
    LUKE COSTELLO GB BRAULIO ESTIMA GOLD
    CLIVE STAUNTON STRAIGHT BLAST GYM IRELAND SILVER
    DAWID GRANACKI RICK YOUNG SCOTLAND JOINT BRONZE
    POVILAITIS MODESTAS VORAS BJJ JOINT BRONZE

    BLUE MEDIUM HEAVY FEMALE
    HELIN PAARA SBG MANCHESTER GOLD
    OLGA LYASHEVSKA CARLSON GRACIE REVOLUTION SILVER

    BLUE MEDIUM HEAVY MASTER
    SAHID KHAMLICHI GRACIE BARRA MK GOLD
    ARTUR SZWED CARLSON GRACIE REVOLUTION SILVER
    BEN HEWITT GB BRAULIO ESTIMA JOINT BRONZE
    MATTHEW COX GB BRAULIO ESTIMA JOINT BRONZE

    BLUE MEDIUM HEAVY SENIOR
    CORNELL VLIJTER RGA GOLD
    RICHARD ALLEN CHECKMAT SILVER

    BLUE MIDDLE ADULT
    DELROY MCDOWELL ZE MARCELLO/ PEDRO BESSA GOLD
    MARCIN ROZENBAUM LEAO DOURADO SILVER
    CRAIG TETLEY GB BRAULIO ESTIMA JOINT BRONZE
    BRYAN THOMSON RICK YOUNGS BLACKBELT ACADEMY JOINT BRONZE

    BLUE MIDDLE FEMALE
    LEONI MUNSLOW ZE MARCELLO/ PEDRO BESSA GOLD
    SARAH MERRANER CHECKMAT SILVER
    LARA WILSON GB STOKE LAGARTO JOINT BRONZE
    LISA JAMES RGA VIE ACADEMY JOINT BRONZE

    BLUE MIDDLE/MASTER
    DONATIS UKTVERTIS RGA GOLD
    GAVIN LEWIS GRACIE BARRA SILVER
    ZAGHAM YOUNES BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU SCHOOL JOINT BRONZE
    SCOTT MCKAIL RICK YOUNG ACADEMY JOINT BRONZE

    BLUE MIDDLE/SENIOR
    PHIL TUCKER ZE MARCELLO/ PEDRO BESSA GOLD
    RICHARD SHORE GB BRAULIO ESTIMA SILVER
    ROBERT CASALI ACADEMY 247 JOINT BRONZE
    MATTHEW CHECKMAT JOINT BRONZE

    BLUE SUPER FEATHER ADULT
    AARON AU YEUNG GB BRAULIO ESTIMA GOLD
    PATRICK HOLOHAN SBG IRELAND SILVER
    MATTHEW DUNAWAY ROYCE GRACIE BJJ JOINT BRONZE
    MAN YUEN TSANG UNIVERSITY LIMERICK BJJ JOINT BRONZE

    BLUE SUPER FEATHER MASTER
    ISAAC PEREZ ZE MARCELLO/ PEDRO BESSA GOLD
    HENRIQUE VALLASENOR CHECKMAT SILVER
    VISHAL PATEL GB BRAULIO ESTIMA JOINT BRONZE
    SEYMOUR YANG RGA (MILL HILL) JOINT BRONZE

    BLUE SUPER HEAVY ADULT
    CHRIS BOWE GB BRAULIO ESTIMA GOLD
    CHRIS KONIECZNY COMBAT ACADEMY HEREFORD SILVER
    VALENTINO PETRESCU GB BRAULIO ESTIMA JOINT BRONZE
    RICHARD DAVIS PEDRO BESSA JOINT BRONZE

    BLUE SUPER HEAVY MASTER/ SENIOR
    JASON BELL CARLSON GRACIE REVOLUTION GOLD
    WAYNE FAGAN CARLSON GRACIE REVOLUTION SILVER
    JASON LEADBETTER GB BRAULIO ESTIMA JOINT BRONZE
    LEO RODLEY RGA JOINT BRONZE

    BLUE SUPER SUPER HEAVY ADULT
    TOMASZ WISNIEWSKI TRUE SPIRIT LEEDS/ OKINININISKI POLAND GOLD
    LUKE TAYLOR ZE MARCELLO/ PEDRO BESSA SILVER
    MICHAEL WEST GB LAGARTO BRONZE

    BLUE WOMEN ABSOLUTE
    HELINE PAAVA ? GOLD
    OLGA LASHEVSKA ? SILVER
    LISA JAMES ? JOINT BRONZE
    JULIE MORGAN ? JOINT BRONZE

    WHITE ABSOLUTE
    JOE ? GOLD
    STEVEN PAGE ? JOINT BRONZE
    DEMIEN ? JOINT BRONZE
    MARCO ? SILVER

    WHITE FEATHER ADULT
    ANDY LE PAGE GB BRAULIO ESTIMA GOLD
    SCOTT MCCONNELL GB PLYMOUTH JOINT BRONZE
    RICHARD CLARKE RGA JOINT BRONZE
    PHIL PATRICK RGA SILVER

    WHITE FEATHER MASTER
    STUART BOARDMAN BOLTON CATCH BJJ BRONZE
    VICTOR FRONTCZAK ECBJJ GOLD
    LEO MARCANTONIO BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU SCHOOL SILVER

    WHITE FEATHER SENIOR
    ERNIE PERRY GB BRAULIO ESTIMA BRONZE
    TOBY NORWAYS RGA ANDY ROBERTS GOLD
    ALEX TWEEDIE GB BRAULIO ESTIMA SILVER

    WHITE HEAVY ADULT
    MARCO TOSTA MARIO REIS GOLD
    MAX DENNING ? JOINT BRONZE
    AMIR MEMARIAN CARLSON GRACIE REVOLUTION JOINT BRONZE
    DEAN BRADBURY SILVER

    WHITE HEAVY MASTER
    MERV HARRIES GB BRAULIO ESTIMA GOLD
    SACHA MACKENZIE CARLSON GRACIE REVOLUTION JOINT BRONZE
    THADD WRONEK ZE MARCELLO/ PEDRO BESSA JOINT BRONZE
    PETER KUAPIR ZE MARCELLO/ PEDRO BESSA SILVER

    WHITE HEAVY MASTER/SENIOR
    JOHN BYLETT BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU SCHOOL GOLD
    ANDREW CHOONG CARLSON GRACIE REVOLUTION JOINT BRONZE
    STEPHEN GARSIDE GB STOKE LAGARTO JOINT BRONZE
    DENVAR WILSON BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU SCHOOL SILVER

    WHITE HEAVY SENIOR
    WILLIAM LAI BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU SCHOOL GOLD
    PAUL STANFORD RGA JOINT BRONZE
    MATTHEW BROWN TEAM LAGARTO JOINT BRONZE
    PHIL FLOLET CARLSON GRACIE REVOLUTION SILVER

    WHITE LIGHT ADULT
    SUSHI AVAZKHNI ZE MARCELLO/ PEDRO BESSA GOLD
    SAM CHAPMAN BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU SCHOOL JOINT BRONZE
    RAPHAEL KITAUCHI RGA JOINT BRONZE
    ALEX BROERS ZE MARCELLO/ PEDRO BESSA SILVER

    WHITE LIGHT ADULT FEMALE
    EMMA LEAVY CARLSON GRACIE REVOLUTION GOLD
    RACHAEL PASSFIELD RGA JOINT BRONZE
    RAQUEL MCMILLAN ZE MARCELLO/ PEDRO BESSA JOINT BRONZE
    LAUREN REED GB BRAULIO ESTIMA SILVER

    WHITE LIGHT MASTER
    MUHAMED ITOUMAINE ZE MARCELLO/ PEDRO BESSA GOLD
    BEN KERSLAKE GB BRAULIO ESTIMA JOINT BRONZE
    STEVEN CORTIE RGA JOINT BRONZE
    BEN GILBERT ANAJ DOS SANTOS SILVER

    WHITE LIGHT SENIOR
    MATTHEW SMITH KENPOKAN GOLD
    DARREN GREEN GB BRAULIO ESTIMA JOINT BRONZE
    STEVEN FAGE ISHIN RYU JU JITSU JOINT BRONZE
    RIYAZ ISMAIL RGA SILVER

    WHITE MEDIUM ADULT
    VINCE SKILCORN CARLSON GRACIE REVOLUTION GOLD
    TOM BOSWELL CARLSON GRACIE REVOLUTION JOINT BRONZE
    CHARLIE MACDONALD SUKATA JOINT BRONZE
    BEN ROONIE GRACIE BARRA SILVER

    WHITE MEDIUM ADULT FEMALE
    TRACY LIMB GB LAGARTO GOLD
    DHARMA STEVENS GB BRAULIO ESTIMA SILVER

    WHITE MEDIUM HEAVY ADULT
    STUART TYRIE GB SWANSEA GOLD
    MOHAMM SAMAD GB BRAULIO ESTIMA JOINT BRONZE
    IOANNIS KARACHRISTOS GB GREECE JOINT BRONZE
    YUSUF CHECKMAT SILVER

    WHITE MEDIUM HEAVY MASTER
    JOSEPH SMILES AYLESBURY GOLD
    ADRIAN TWEED GB BRAULIO ESTIMA JOINT BRONZE
    DALE HESKETH GB LAGARTO JOINT BRONZE
    DAVIE OAKES MARC WALDER BJJ SILVER

    WHITE MEDIUM HEAVY SENIOR
    ROBERT TESNER GB BRAULIO ESTIMA GOLD
    JONATHAN BROSTER BUSHIDO MMA JOINT BRONZE
    STEPHEN SCAIFE RGA JOINT BRONZE
    TREFOR COSTER KAMON SILVER

    WHITE MEDIUM MASTER
    MICHAEL HADAM ? GOLD
    ANDRE SACRAMENTO EDUARDO CARRIELO BJJ JOINT BRONZE
    MARTIN ASAME GRACI BARRA ? JOINT BRONZE
    DAVID OKAI CHECKMAT SILVER

    WHITE MEDIUM SENIOR
    JOHNNY MOUNTNEY ?? GOLD
    RICK MOOR BOLTON CATCH BJJ JOINT BRONZE
    IAN FINCH GB BRAULIO ESTIMA JOINT BRONZE
    DAVID O’NEIL CHECKMAT SILVER

    WHITE ROOSTER ADULT FEMALE
    LEILA SMITH ECBJJ GOLD
    CHUN YEE CHENG RGA SILVER

    WHITE ROOSTER ADULT MALE
    LEE CHAMPION MASTER ST JAMES BB ACADEMY BRONZE
    SEAN MCDONAGH GB DERBY GOLD
    MARK BOOT GB BRAULIO ESTIMA SILVER

    WHITE SUPER FEATHER ADULT
    DAVID PRESCOTT GB TEAM LEGARTO GOLD
    SIMON HARMER RGA JOINT BRONZE
    BRENDON MAY ZE MARCELLO/ PEDRO BESSA JOINT BRONZE
    PAUL JUGANATH RGA SILVER

    WHITE SUPER FEATHER ADULT FEMALE
    CAMILA PARKER CHECKMAT JOINT BRONZE
    KEELIN MCGORY RGA JOINT BRONZE
    SOPHIE COOK CANTON MA SILVER

    MEGAN MCGREGOR ROYCE GRACIE BJJ GOLD

    WHITE SUPER FEATHER MASTER
    MARK TAYLOR BOLTON CATCH BJJ GOLD
    ROY DAVIES GB BIRMINGHAM JOIN BRONZE
    MATTHEW DELAUNEY GB BRAULIO ESTIMA JOINT BRONZE
    REZA DAUHOO CARLSON GRACIE REVOLUTION SILVER

    WHITE SUPER HEAVY ADULT
    STEPHEN CHRISTE NOVA FORCA GOLD
    JOHN PSYLLAS ABERDEEBN MA JOINT BRONZE
    ADAM KIELY JOINT BRONZE
    DANIEL BUCKLEY GB BRAULIO ESTIMA SILVER

    WHITE SUPER SUPER HEAVY ADULT
    MOHAMED LLIAS BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU SCHOOL GOLD
    CHRIS CAMERON BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU SCHOOL JOIN BRONZE
    ROBERT STEEL GB BRAULIO ESTIMA JOINT BRONZE
    PIOTR WOLEK CARLSON GRACIE REVOLUTION SILVER

    WHITE SUPER SUPER HEAVY MASTER
    ALEKSANDER GUSTYN RGA GOLD
    MATTHEW JACKSON RGA JOINT BRONZE
    SAMUEL SANGIORGI RGA JOINT BRONZE
    PHIL CLEGG GB BRAULIO ESTIMA SILVER

    WHITE SUPER SUPER HEAVY SENIOR
    PETER DUTTON GB BRAULIO ESTIMA BRONZE
    DARRYL SHAW GB BRAULIO ESTIMA GOLD
    MARK STERLING BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU SCHOOL SILVER

    Team results
    based on 9pts = gold; 3 pts = silver; 1 pt bronze

    1st GB Braulio Estima = 173 pts
    2nd Ze Marcello/ Pedro Bessa = 102 pts
    3rd RGA = 89
    4th Carlson Gracie = 85

    Tournament Results Tuesday: 2009 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Championship

    June 9, 2009


    (Click photo to enlarge.) Rubens “Cobrinha” Charles takes on Wellington “Megaton” Dias at the 2009 BJJ Mundial. Photo courtesy Jay from Grappling With Life for The FightWorks Podcast.

    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 2009 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Championship which took place June 4 -7 in Long Beach, California.

    If you are a tourney organizer, we encourage you to send us the results of your Brazilian jiu-jitsu and submission grappling events too. If you are a competitor, feel free to send us a write up of your competition experience as well. Details are here.


    BLACK BELT ADULT

    ROOSTER

    FIRST bruno malfacine Alliance

    SECOND caio terra Brasa

    THIRD bernardo pitel Nova União

    THIRD felipe costa Brasa

    LIGHT FEATHER

    FIRST guilherme mendes Atos

    THIRD carlos vieira Check Mat Bjj

    THIRD daniel beleza academy of combative

    FEATHER

    FIRST rubens charles Alliance

    SECOND bruno frazatto Atos

    THIRD rafael mendes Atos

    THIRD mario reis Gracie Barra

    LIGHT

    FIRST michael langhi Alliance

    SECOND gilbert burns Atos

    THIRD philipe della monica Gracie Barra

    THIRD rafael barbosa Soul Fighters

    MIDDLE

    FIRST marcelo garcia Alliance

    SECOND sergio moraes Alliance

    THIRD lucas leite Check Mat Bjj

    THIRD alan do nascimento Check Mat Bjj

    MEDIUM HEAVY

    FIRST romulo barral Gracie Barra

    SECOND tarsis humphreys Alliance

    THIRD otavio de souza Gracie Barra

    THIRD victor estima Gracie Barra

    HEAVY

    FIRST braulio estima Gracie Barra

    SECOND alexandre de souza Gracie Florianópolis

    THIRD alexandre ceconi Rillion Gracie

    THIRD rafael lovato Gracie Humaita

    SUPER HEAVY

    FIRST roger gracie Gracie Barra

    SECOND ricardo gonzalez Nova União

    THIRD thiago gaia Nova União

    THIRD bernardo faria Alliance

    ULTRA HEAVY

    FIRST gabriel vella Alliance

    SECOND rodrigo cavaca Check Mat Bjj

    THIRD marcio corleta Winner

    THIRD andre de freitas Cesar Gracie

    OPEN CLASS

    FIRST roger gracie Gracie Barra

    SECOND romulo barral Gracie Barra

    THIRD claudio calanzas Atos

    THIRD gabriel vella Alliance

    BROWN/BLACK FEMALE

    LIGHT FEATHER

    FIRST leticia ribeiro Gracie Humaita

    SECOND michelle nicolini Drysdale JJ

    THIRD claudia martinez kvenbo C quence jiu jitsu

    THIRD nyjah easton Lloyd Irvin

    FEATHER

    FIRST bianca barreto Gracie Barra

    SECOND shioda sayaka AACC

    THIRD jennifer petrina Gracie Humaita

    THIRD fabiana borges Gracie Barra

    LIGHT

    FIRST luanna alzuguir Alliance

    SECOND kyra gracie Renzo Gracie

    THIRD juliana borges American Top Team

    THIRD ana carolina vidal Gracie Humaita

    MIDDLE

    FIRST hannette staack Andre Negao

    SECOND monica vanessa silva Sandro Bala e Julio Pudim

    THIRD shanti abelha Check Mat Bjj

    THIRD ana maria soares Check Mat Bjj

    MEDIUM HEAVY

    FIRST penny thomas Gracie Humaita

    SECOND valerie worthington Carlson Gracie Team

    THIRD caroline de lazzer Sul JJ

    THIRD fernanda mazzeli Agnaldo Goes

    HEAVY

    FIRST lana stefanac trinity bjj

    SECOND luciana dias Gracie Humaita

    THIRD diana de souza de menezes Bon Sai

    THIRD emily wetzel Carlson Gracie Team

    OPEN CLASS

    FIRST lana stefanac trinity bjj

    SECOND kyra gracie Renzo Gracie

    THIRD gabrielle garcia Alliance

    THIRD penny thomas Gracie Humaita

    For results from the white, blue and purple belt divisions, see the IBJJF’s website.

    Tournament Results Tuesday: 2009 NAGA Midwest Championship

    June 9, 2009

    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 partial results of the 2009 NAGA Midwest Championship which took place May 30th and 31st in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

    If you are a tourney organizer, we encourage you to send us the results of your Brazilian jiu-jitsu and submission grappling events too. If you are a competitor, feel free to send us a write up of your competition experience as well. Details are here.


    Mens GI Black Belt Light Weight
    1st Place Carlos Lemos Jr. Gracie Barra
    2nd Place Henry Matamoros Matamoros

    Mens GI Brown & Black Middle Weight
    1st Place Jonatas Novaes Flo Brasa
    2nd Place Isreal Reyes Carlson Gracie
    3rd Place Brent Fitzgerald Revolution

    Mens GI Brown & Black Belt Super Heavy Weight
    1st Place Jeff Serafin McVicker
    2nd Place David Johnson David Johnson

    Mens NO-GI Absolute
    1st Place Ezra Lenon ATT
    2nd Place Andy Acker Twisted Fitness
    3rd Place Jeff Serafin McVicker

    Mens NO-GI Advanced Fly Weight
    1st Place Omar Choudhury Matamoros
    2nd Place Brearin Land Brasa

    Mens NO-GI Advanced
    1st Place Anthony Christodoulon Flo Brasa
    2nd Place Billy Rutherford Warrior Concepts

    Mens NO-GI Advanced Feather Weight
    1st Place Ben Pitchford Tom’s Open Mat
    2nd Place Justin Hamilton Wrecking Ball
    3rd Place Charles Hiersche KCBJJ

    Mens NO-GI Advanced Light Weight
    1st Place Carlos Lemos Gracie Barra
    2nd Place Jeff Curran Curran
    3rd Place John Hinsenkamp Matamoros

    Mens NO-GI Advanced Welter Weight
    1st Place Jonthan Novaes Flo Brasa
    2nd Place Andy Acker Twisted Fitness
    3rd Place Alexander Chu-Kung New Breed

    Mens NO-GI Advanced Middle Weight
    1st Place Daniel Wanderley Carlson Gracie
    2nd Place Brian daley Uflacker Academy
    3rd Place Mike Vaugh Blast

    Mens NO-GI Advanced Light Heavy Weight
    1st Place Ezra Lenon ATT
    2nd Place Brian Sworsky The Academy
    3rd Place Michael Reilly Force JJ

    Mens NO-GI Advanced Cruiser Weight
    1st Place Dan Opsahl MMAA/Sauer
    2nd Place John Gallegos Champion JJ

    Mens NO-GI Advanced Heavy Weight
    1st Place David Klerzkowski Matamoros
    2nd Place Matthew Thor Kristufek Dino Costeas
    3rd Place Jim Gray Rage Pit

    Mens NO-GI Advanced Super Heavy Weight
    1st Place Mike Marrello Curran
    2nd Place Bruce Hoyer Flo Brasa

    Mens NO-GI Directors Advanced Light Weight
    1st Place Clint Crabtree URBJJ
    2nd Place Marshall Belmer Torres

    Mens NO-GI Directors Advanced Heavy Weight
    1st Place Anthony Porcelli Des Mornes MMA
    2nd Place Jerry Katchka Ordered Chaos
    3rd Place Rick Matthews None

    Masters NO-GI Advanced Light Weight
    1st Place Henry Matamoros Matamoros
    2nd Place Alex Embry
    3rd Place Matt Hlinak Dino Costeas

    Masters NO-GI Advanced Cruiser Weight
    1st Place Seth Foreman Ordered Chaos
    2nd Place Leo Perez Champion JJ
    3rd Place Anthony Carlson Vaghi

    Masters NO-GI Advanced Super Heavy Weight
    1st Place Anthony Duncan Curran
    2nd Place Peter Backer Xtreme Couture
    3rd Place Eddie Davis Davis Judo

    Womens NO-GI Advanced Light Heavy Weight
    1st Place Fallon Fox Champion JJ
    2nd Place Jennifer Smith Minnesota Top Team
    3rd Place Helen Henderson Flo Brasa

    Full results of this event, including white belt, blue belt, purple belt, and non-advanced no-gi competitors can be found on NAGA’s website.

    Tournament Review Tuesday: NAGA Midwest Championships

    June 2, 2009

    NAGA grappling tournament
    Action on the mats at the 2009 NAGA Midwest Championship.

    by Ben “The Dutch Assassin” Lindhout

    A group comprised of myself and 7 other teammates made the 4.5 hour journey from Grand Rapids, MI to Milwaukee, WI for the NAGA Midwest Championship on Saturday 5/30/09. The last couple years this event has been held in suburban Chicago, but this time was brought back to brew city.

    Because of the large amount of competitors coming from the Chicagoland area, the NAGA brass decided to have Friday night weigh ins and two separate sites. You could choose to weigh in at the venue, located at a sports complex in suburban Milwaukee, or you could weigh in early at the New Breed Academy BJJ school located just outside Chicago. Since our group would go through Chicago on the way to Milwaukee, we decided to do the Friday night weigh in’s at New Breed. Weigh in’s were from 5-8pm and there was a line of people already when we got there at 4:30pm. This was convenient, but we had one teammate whose weight information did not transfer over to the venue the next morning, and he had to weigh in again right before the event started on Saturday.

    The next morning, we got to the venue around 11am. The rules meeting was just finishing up, and they started the kids and teens divisions right away. Most of the big midwest schools were representing, and there were a handful of grappling celebrities; including Carlson Gracie Jr., Miguel Torres, Jeff Curran (who competed), Hillary Williams (who was a referee), and a host of black belt coaches. The sports complex was very large, and easily accommodated the 14 mat setup that NAGA brought for this event. There was limited bleacher seating, but since most people crowd up around the mats anyway, it didn’t really matter. I talked to Kip Kollar, NAGA president, who said that is typical. He said that in their last Dallas event, they had arena seating for thousands, but very few people sit down as they prefer to watch their teammates and family members up close. They were using their new electronic timer and scoring systems at each ring which were very nice, and clearly showed the time, the score, as well as advantages.

    The turnout was pretty good for the event, and I would estimate there were maybe about 500 competitors. It seemed just a little less then when they held the event closer to Chicago, and far less then the 1400 grapplers who participated at the NAGA-run Arnold Classic event in Columbus, OH. I saw many good displays of sportsmanship, and only a couple of injuries. Both the injuries I saw were by kneebar in advanced divisions. The quality of the referees varied greatly by mat, but I did see the head of officials, Joe Cuff, review a video when a coach disputed a call that the ref made.

    The tournament ended up being well run, and we started getting ready to leave around 6:30pm when all of our divisions were done. There were still a few groups out on the mat, but I can’t imagine it went on too long after that. The venue was great, and had staff working there which meant the trash actually was taken out, and the bathrooms were refreshed throughout the day. This is a welcome change from most of the other large tournaments I have been to. You can’t please all the people, all of the time; but I felt this was the best NAGA event I have ever attended. There was some great grappling being displayed, the venue was big and clean, and it went smoothly getting done on time. I hope they continue improving and taking feedback from the competitors to make future events even better.


    Ben trains at Grand Rapids BJJ in Michigan and blogs at Dutch Assassin BJJ. 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.

    Don’t forget - we’re getting together for coffee on Sunday morning at the World Championship!
    - Caleb

    Tournament Results Tuesday: 9th Annual Copa de España

    May 19, 2009

    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 9th Annual Copa de España, which took place May 9 & 10 in Barcelona, Spain.

    If you are a tourney organizer, we encourage you to send us the results of your Brazilian jiu-jitsu and submission grappling events too. If you are a competitor, feel free to send us a write up of your competition experience as well. Details are here.


    WOMENS RESULTS

    Womens Lightweight White and Blue Belts

    1 – Ana Caria (Gracie Barcelona/Lisboa)

    2 - Kaitlin Carlucci (Marcelo Monteiro)

    3 – Maria Franch (Gracie Barcelona)

    Womens Middleweight White and Blue Belts

    1 – Morena Cuba (Aranha)

    2 – Ana Caria (Gracie Barcelona/Lisboa)

    3 – Katia Rosado (Power Team)

    4 – Julia Klammsteiner (Gracie Barcelona/Bolzano)

    MENS RESULTS

    Mens White Belt Super Lightweight

    1 – Luis Adrian Raich (Aranha)

    2 – Fernando Roca (Anaconda)

    3 – Nacho Valverde (GB Sevilla)

    4 – Adrian Rodriguez (Progreso Vigo)

    Mens White Belt Lightweight

    1 – Cesar Puget (Fabricio Werdum)

    2 – Toni Mendoza (Aranha)

    3 – Joan Pau Soto (Gracie Barcelona/Mataro)

    4 – Diogo Silva (Kito-Ryu BJJ)

    Mens White Belt Middleweight

    1 – Damian Raich (Aranha)

    2 – Manuel Hesse (Fabricio Werdum)

    3 – Sixto Fernandez (Fabricio Werdum)

    4 – Alex Martinez (Gracie Barcelona)

    Mens White Belt Middle Heavyweight

    1 – Alfonso Valencia (Aranha)

    2 – Pere Fabrega (Kito-Ryu BJJ)

    3 – Jose Carlos Alves (Barcelo)

    4 – Xavier Sierra (Cronos Gym)

    Mens White Belt Heavyweight

    1 – Luis Carlos Esquivel (Cronos Gym)

    2 – Alexander Perez (GB Pitbull)

    3 – Francisco Arroyo (New Team)

    4 – Jaime Villaverde (Gracie Barcelona)

    Mens White Belt Absolute

    1 – Guillaume Tuffon (Aranha)

    2 – Jozsef Szuc (Check Mat)

    3 – Sixto Fernandez (Fabricio Werdum)

    4 – Gil Falgueras (Anaconda)

    Mens Blue Belt Super Lightweight

    1 – Cristian Espejel (GB Reus)

    2 – Mani Gilavandan (Fabricio Werdum)

    3 – Pedro Moreno (Gracie Barcelona)

    4 – Raul Perez (Haubert Team)

    Mens Blue Belt Lightweight

    1 – Sergio Cabrera (Barquilla)

    2 – David Aranda (Aranha)

    3 – Hector Antequera (Check Mat)

    4 – David Palay (Gracie Barcelona)

    Mens Blue Belt Middleweight

    1 – Abner Lloveras (Haubert Team)

    2 - Jose Espejo (Gracie Barcelona/Mataro)

    3 – Vidal Herrero (Check Mat)

    4 – Toni Bavcevic (Gracie Barcelona)

    Mens Blue Belt Middle Heavyweight

    1 – Cesar Dubon (Check Mat)

    2 – Alexander Moldolvan (Check Mat)

    3 – Miguel Angel Ruiz (Gracie Barcelona/Mataro)

    4 – Abel Rocha (Haubert Team)

    Mens Blue Belt Heavyweight

    1 – Aleksa Sopalovic (Condor JJ)

    2 – Oscar Marrero (Gil Catarino)

    Mens Blue Belt Absolute

    1 – Aleksa Sopalovic (Condor JJ)

    2 – Leandro Frois (GB Maceio)

    3 – Cesar Dubon (Check Mat)

    4 – Miguel Angel Ruiz (Gracie Barcelona/Mataro)

    Mens Purple Belt Lightweight

    1 – Rafael Fuentes (Gil Catarino)

    2 – Joao Futscher (Gracie Barcelona/Lisboa)

    3 – Roman Navarro (Haubert Team)

    4 – George Birkadze (Gracie Barcelona)

    Mens Purple Belt Middleweight

    1 – Diego Cabrera (Barquilla)

    2 – Jose Miguel Madueno (Anaconda)

    3 – Mikel Cortes (Condor JJ)

    4 – Guillermo Arbe (Haubert Team)

    Mens Purple Belt Heavyweight

    1 – Victor Martinez (GB Reus)

    2 – David Perez (Gracie Barcelona/Terrassa)

    3 – Leandro Horacio Galati (GB Marbella)

    4 – Nacho Cantera (GB Sevilla)


    Mens Purple Belt Absolute

    1 – Mikel Cortes (Condor JJ)

    2 – Victor Hernandez (GB Reus)

    3 – Leandro Horacio Galati (GB Marbella)

    4 – Joao Futscher (Gracie Barcelona/Lisboa)

    Mens Brown Belt Middleweight

    1 - Helio Perdigao (Gracie Barcelona)

    2 – Joao Santos (Gracie Barcelona/Lisboa)

    3 – Gabriel Jarauta (Haubert Team)

    4 – Alessandro Federico (Gracie Barcelona/Bolzano)

    Mens Brown Belt Heavy

    1 – Javier Martinez (Gracie Barcelona)

    2 – Wellington Araujo (Haubert Team)

    3 – Luis Felipe (Fabricio Werdum)

    4 – Jose Miguel Tamayo (Condor JJ)

    Mens Brown Belt Absolute

    1 – Vladimiro Afonso (Power Team)

    2 – Gustavo da Fonseca (Check Mat)

    3 – Helio Perdigao (Gracie Barcelona)

    4 – Javier Martinez (Gracie Barcelona)

    Men’s Black Belt Absolute

    1 – Matias Ribeiro (Fabricio Werdum)

    2 – Ricardo Alvarenga (Kito-Ryu BJJ)

    3 – Leonardo Pelucio (GB Reus)

    4 – Isaac Almeida (Check Mat)

    Team Results:

    1 – GRACIE BARCELONA = 85 ₧.

    2 – ARANHA = 62

    3 – FABRICIO WERDUM = 41

    4 – CHECK MAT = 38

    5 – CONDOR JJ = 34

    6 – GB REUS = 29

    7 – HAUBERT TEAM = 25

    8 – BARQUILLA = 20

    9 – GIL CATARINO = 16

    10 – ANACONDA = 13

    - POWER TEAM = 13

    - KITO-RYU BJJ = 13

    13 – CRONOS GYM = 11

    14 – GB MARBELLA = 6

    - GB PITBULL = 6

    - GB MACEIO = 6

    - MARCELO MONTEIRO = 6

    18 – GB SEVILLA = 4

    19 – NEW TEAM = 3

    - BARCELO = 3

    21 – PROGRESO VIGO = 1

    Scoring

    First place = 10 points

    Second place = 6

    Third place = 3

    Fourth place = 1

    Tournament Review Tuesday: Brasileiros

    May 19, 2009

    The Brasileiros - An Outsider’s View

    by Jeremy Arel in Rio de Janeiro

    Tournaments are a way for competitive athletes to test their skills, polish their technique and build a name for themselves. Every competition has its own feel, its own way of drawing spectators in and a unique ability to build bonds between teammates.

    The Brasileiros is no exception to this rule. There were fighters from all over the world in attendance and the level of competition was high. This past weekend hosted the brown belt and black belt weight divisions as well as the absolute division. Every weight class had something to offer to an outsider like myself.

    Like many Americans I do not know up and coming names in BJJ but I was continually wowed by the technical mastery show cased during the matches. There were a few matches where people stayed standing in a deadlock fighting for takedowns and hand grips but the majority of the matches were medium to high paced with many positional transitions.

    In the United States I have attended many tournaments along the east coast (both as a spectator and a competitor) and the intensity level here in Brazil is leaps and bounds beyond anything at home. Typically as a competition wears on the fans become more lethargic, slow down and go home but here as the day progressed the fans became more energetic, excited…and in the case of the finals somewhat frenzied.

    What I am trying to say is training and competing in Brazil is serious business. These schools (Alliance, Gracie Barra, Checkmate, Gordo BJJ, and many more) are competing for something more than valuable than money. They compete for pride, bragging rights and the integrity of the sport. They, in essence, keep it real.

    If you have not had the opportunity to attend a tournament in Brazil and you are a BJJ practitioner I would suggest making it a priority. There is an almost electric atmosphere that no amount of words can express or convey…it can only be experienced.



    Jeremy trains at Charles Hanebrink’s Martial Arts Traning Center in North Carolina. Thanks to Dennis Asche of ConnectionRio for putting us in touch with Jeremy.



    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

    Tournament Results Tuesday: Copa Nova BJJ & Submission Grappling Tournament

    May 12, 2009

    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 last weekend’s Copa Nova, held in Northern Virginia.

    If you are a tourney organizer, we encourage you to send us the results of your Brazilian jiu-jitsu and submission grappling events too. If you are a competitor, feel free to send us a write up of your competition experience as well. Details are here.


    Academy Adult Results:
    Lloyd Irvin Academy 201
    Yamasaki 117
    Pedro Sauer 53
    De la Riva 42
    Royce Gracie 30
    Brasa 27
    Balance 21
    Rage Fight Club 21
    Vanguard 19
    Leo Dalla 16
    Relson Gracie 10
    USA Jiu Jitsu 10
    BJJ Revolution 9
    Culpepper MMA 8
    Hagerstown BJJ 5
    Combat Sports Center 4
    Baltimore BJJ 3
    Raleigh Instititue of Martial Arts 3
    Clinch Academy 1
    Jiu Jitsu Now 1

    Academy Children and Teen Results
    World Class Martial Arts 50
    Royce Gracie 41
    Yamasaki 37
    de la Riva 29
    Rage Fight Club 22
    Pedro Sauer 21
    Siena School 3
    Capitol Combat 3
    Balance 3
    Trident Academy 2

    Men’s Divisions

    Advanced No-Gi
    up to 134.9
    1 Luis Pantoja Yamasaki
    2 David Zwanetz LIMAA
    3 Shane Arechiga Yamasaki

    135-164.9 lbs
    1 Jeremiah West Rage Fight Club
    2 Miguel Matta Yamasaki
    3 David Jacobs Yamasaki

    165-179.9 lbs.
    1 Arthur Walcott-Ceesay LIMAA
    2 DeAlozio Jackson LIMAA
    3 Rafael Garcia Royce Gracie

    180-194.9 lbs.
    1 Shimon Kafka Balance
    2 Fred Thomsen LIMAA
    3 Louis Armezzani de la Riva

    195 and up
    1 Willie Leonard LIMAA
    2 Johnny Curtis Pedro Saure

    Absolute
    1 Willie Leonard LIMAA
    2 DeAlozaio Jackson LIMAA
    3 Arthur Walcott LIMAA

    Mens Intermediate No-Gi
    up to 134.9 lbs.
    1 CJ Melton LIMAA
    2 Ryan Corsillo LIMAA
    3 Brian Chang Pedro Sauer

    135-149.9 lbs.
    1 David Tepper Yamasaki
    2 Patrick Trinidad Pedro Sauer
    3 Robert Williams LIMAA

    150-164.9 lbs.
    1 Lawrence Waters Yamasaki
    2 Keith Cebula LIMAA
    3 Firaas Hakim Royce Gracie

    165-179.9 lbs.
    1 Bradon Reinhardt Vanguard
    2 Tancred Dickens Yamasaki
    3 Joseph Keefe Pedro Sauer

    180-194.9 lbs.
    1 Junior Nascimento Yamasaki
    2 Bryan Lane Yamasaki
    3 Chad Malone

    195 and up
    1 Charles Cherry LIMAA
    2 Kenneth Brown LIMAA
    3 Kristopher Bishop Rage Fight Club

    Absolute
    1 Bryan Lane Yamasaki
    2 Jason Edwards Pedro Sauer
    3 Daniel Chacon LIMAA

    Mens Beginner No Gi
    up to 134.9 lbs.
    1 Brandon Wheeler Hagerstown BJJ
    2 Armand Alacbay Yamasaki
    3 Corey Bissett LIMAA

    135-149.9 lbs.
    1 Michael Caporaletti Culpepper MMA
    2 Cristian Garcia Relson Gracie
    3 Eric Marciano USA Jiu Jitsu

    150-164.9 lbs.
    1 Emilio Garcia Leo Dalla
    2 Chris Chi Yamasaki
    3 Mark Egan Royce Gracie

    165-179.9 lbs.
    1 Matthew Van Valkenburgh Pedro Sauer
    2 Tyler Johnson Royce Gracie
    3 Matthew Wilson Vanguard

    180-194.9 lbs
    1 Dan Rose LIMAA
    2 Phillip Phan USA Jiu Jitsu
    3 David Freeman LIMAA

    195 and up
    1 David Hawa de la Riva
    2 Konstantinos Pantazis Yamasaki
    3 Richard McVarish Royce Gracie

    Mens Beginner No Gi Absolute
    1 Emilio Garcia Leo Dalla
    2 James Neville de la Riva
    3 Tyler Johnson Royce Gracie

    Mens Brown Belt
    Absolute
    1 Lee Synkowski Balance
    2 Luis Pantoja Yamasaki

    Mens Purple
    150-164.9 lbs
    1 Adrian Rumingan Yamasaki
    2 Tim Koren Brasa
    3 Scott Christensen Pedro Sauer

    165-194.9 lbs.
    1 Greg Souders LIMAA
    2 Anthony Martin
    3 Jason Doucette Vanguard

    Purple Absolute
    1 Greg Souders LIMAA
    2 Ron Stallings LIMAA
    3 Anthony Martin

    Mens Blue
    up to 134.9 lbs.
    1 Joshua Pike de la Riva
    2 Kenny Savercool Brasa
    3 David Zwanetz LIMAA

    135-149.9 lbs
    1 Jeremiah West Rage Fight Club
    2 Francisco Quesada Royce Gracie
    3 Thomas Echols Brasa

    150-164.9 lbs
    1 Keith Cebula LIMAA
    2 Leonard Maggio LIMAA
    3 Jordan Tabor LIMAA

    165-179.9 lbs.
    1 DeAlozio Jackson LIMAA
    2 Rafael Garcia Royce Gracie
    3 Zachary Jones Royce Gracie

    180-194.9 lbs.
    1 Brad Pearson LIMAA
    2 Louis Armezzani de la Riva
    3 Carroll Lewis Jiu Jitsu Now

    195 and up
    1 Willie Leonard LIMAA
    2 Kenneth Brown LIMAA
    3 David Harker Clinch Academy

    Mens Blue Absolute
    1 Willie Leonard LIMAA
    2 Cesar Paredes Pedro Sauer
    3 Leonard Maggio LIMAA

    Mens White
    up to 134.9 lbs.
    1 Ryan Corsillo LIMAA
    2 Jose Ortez Leo Dalla
    3 Jay Rollins BJJ Revolution

    135-149.9 lbs
    1 Jared Smith LIMAA
    2 Michael Caporaletti Culpeper MMA
    3 Robert Williams LIMAA

    150-164.9 lbs
    1 Jonathan Hughes de la Riva
    2 Eric Anderson Baltimore BJJ
    3 Adam Levy Relson Gracie

    165-179.9 lbs.
    1 Alvin Walker Royce Gracie
    2 Neil Clark Pedro Sauer
    3 Jonathan Scheider Yamasaki

    180-194.9 lbs.
    1 Chad Malone
    2 Dan Rose LIMAA
    3 Philip Phan USA Jiu Jitsu

    195 and up
    1 Eddie Mason de la Riva
    2 James Neville de la Riva
    3 Nima Khalilian Yamasaki

    Mens White Absolute
    1 Jason Edwards Pedro Sauer
    2 David Hawa de la Riva
    3 James Neville de la Riva

    Womens Divisions

    Women
    No Gi
    Advanced
    up to 134.9 lbs.
    1 Jeanette Flannery Brasa
    2 Elyse Goldberg LIMAA

    135-149.9 lbs.
    1 Sijara Eubanks LIMAA
    2 Cynthia O’Rourke LIMAA
    3 Kelsey Cousino LIMAA

    Womens No Gi Advanced Absolute
    1 Cynthia O’Rourke LIMAA
    2 Kelsey Causino LIMAA
    3 Sijara Eubanks LIMAA

    Womens No Gi Intermediate
    135 and up
    1 Aisha Thomas LIMAA
    2 Rachel Demara LIMAA
    3 Nikki Claudio LIMAA

    Womens No Gi Int Absolute
    1 Rachel Demara LIMAA
    2 Kristen Debruycker Pedro Sauer
    3 Aisha Thomas LIMAA

    Womens No Gi Beginner
    120-134.9
    1 Eva Tarnay Yamasaki
    2 Kate Nolan Pedro Sauer
    3 Teresa Russin LIMAA

    135-149.9 lbs.
    1 Maggie Ghamry Yamasaki
    2 Hollie Kapos Brasa

    Gi
    Purple Absolute (Exhibition)
    1 Cynthia O’Rourke LIMAA
    2 Elyse Goldberg LIMAA
    3 Jen Flannery Brasa

    Womens Blue
    120-134.9 lbs.
    1 Jen Flannery Brasa
    2 Shannon Pedroni Relson Gracie

    150 and up
    1 Sijara Eubanks LIMAA
    2 Rachel Demara LIMAA
    3 Kristen Debruycker Pedro Sauer

    Womens Blue Absolute
    1 Sijara Eubanks LIMAA
    2 Rachel Demara LIMAA

    Womens White
    120-134.9 lbs.
    1 Kate Nolan Pedro Sauer
    2 Teresa Russin LIMAA
    3 Cathy Tran-Zwanetz LIMAA

    135-149.9 lbs.
    1 Maggie Ghamry Yamasaki
    2 Elizabeth Herman Yamasaki
    3 Hollie Kapos Brasa

    Womens White Absolute
    1 Aisha Thomas LIMAA
    2 Nikki Claudio LIMAA
    3 Kelsey Cousino LIMAA

    Mens 30+
    No Gi
    Advanced
    up to 159.9 lbs
    1 Scott Miller Yamasaki
    2 Israel Parra Royce Gracie

    160-199.9 lbs
    1 Shimon Kafka Balance
    2 Miguel Vazquez Relson Gracie

    200 and up
    1 Jakov Speranda Yamasaki
    2 Johnny Curtis Pedro Sauer

    Mens 30+ No gi Intermediate
    up to 159.9 lbs
    1 Lawrence Gillett Rage Fight Club
    2 Wilotha Davis III Raleigh Instititue of Martial Arts

    160-179.9 lbs.
    1 Don Dees USA Jiu Jitsu
    2 Adrian Hanley Brasa
    3 Steven Gonzalez Pedro Sauer

    180-199.9 lbs.
    1 Kristopher Bishop Rage Fight Club
    2 Cesar Paredes Pedro Sauer
    3 Alex Martin Combat Sports Center

    Mens 30+ No Gi Beginner
    up to 159.9 lbs.
    1 Jason Deutsch Vanguard
    2 John Manning LIMAA

    160-179.9 lbs
    1 Sinan Narin Yamasaki
    2 Danny McCrea Balance
    3 Francisco Nunez Royce Gracie

    200 lbs and up
    1 Richard MacVarish Royce Gracie
    2 Nathaniel Tyler LIMAA
    3 Patrick Lacy Vanguard

    Mens 30+Gi
    Purple
    up to 159.9
    1 Scott Miller Yamasaki
    2 Eldad Moraru Yamasaki

    160-179.9 lbs
    1 Jacon Doucette Vangaurd
    2 Yegor Kuznetsov Yamasaki

    200 and up
    1 Mike Atkin LIMAA
    2 Jakov Speranda Yamasaki

    Mens 30+Blue
    up to 179.9 lbs
    1 Ali Barzinji de la Riva
    2 Jay Donelson Leo Dalla
    3 Steve Gonzalez Pedro Sauer

    180-199.9 lbs
    1 Cesar Paredes Pedro Sauer
    2 Shimon Kafka Balance
    3 Paul Jarosh Vanguard

    200 and up
    1 Michael Barratt Yamasaki
    2 Justin Kornfeld BJJ Revolution
    3 Ben Nall Royce Gracie

    Mens 30+White
    up to 159.9 lbs
    1 Philippe Ty BJJ Revolution
    2 Mark Pham Yamasaki
    3 John Manning LIMAA

    160-179.9 lbs.
    1 Danny McCrea Balance
    2 Adrian Hanley Brasa
    3 Sinan Narin Yamasaki

    180-199. lbs.
    1 Octavian Margineau Yamasaki
    2 Alex Martin Combat Sports Center
    3 Casey Nichols Yamasaki

    200 lbs. and up
    1 Nathaniel Tyler LIMAA
    2 David Hawa de la Riva
    3 Alfonso Washington LIMAA

    Teen
    No Gi
    Advanced
    115-129.9 lbs
    1 Shane Arechiga Yamasaki
    2 Austin Miller Yamasaki
    3 Justin White World Class Martial Arts

    130-169.9 lbs.
    1 Gabriel Bane World Class Martial Arts
    2 Dean Szollory Siena School

    Beginner
    up to 114.9 lbs
    1 Jacob Turpin Pedro Sauer
    2 Matthew Allison Royce Gracie
    3 Tristen Foley Trident Academy

    130-149.9 lbs.
    1 Don Tran Royce Gracie
    2 Ben Davis Royce Gracie
    3 Edwin Narusberg Pedro Sauer

    Teen Gi
    Advanced
    115-129.9 lbs
    1 Shane Arechiga Yamasaki
    2 Gabriel Pike de la Riva
    3 Jared Joyner World Class Martial Arts

    Beginner
    Up to 114.9 lbs.
    1 Jacob Turpin Pedro Sauer
    2 Matthew Allison Royce Gracie
    3 Tristen Foley Trident Academy

    130-149.9 lbs.
    1 Don Tran Royce Gracie
    2 Ben Davis Royce Gracie

    Children
    No Gi
    Advanced
    up to 59.9 lbs.
    1 Hannah Grace Forsyth World Class Martial Arts
    2 Lutfi Lasida Royce Gracie
    3 Paul Jacobs Yamasaki

    60-69.9 lbs.
    1 Rebecca Forsyth World Class Martial Arts
    2 Rael Griffin Capitol Combat
    3 Jamir Johnson Yamasaki

    70-79.9 lbs.
    1 Rachel Jacobs Yamasaki
    2 Nicholas Row World Class Martial Arts
    3 Abby Ayala Rage Fight Club

    80-94.9 lbs.
    1 Desmond Torres de la Riva
    2 Sydney Allen World Class Martial Arts

    95-109.9 lbs
    1 Christian Gillett Rage Fight Club
    2 Savannah Weatherford World Class Martial Arts
    3 Kyle Siquiera de la Riva

    125 lbs and up
    1 John Rivera Pedro Sauer
    2 Marcelus Wilkinson World Class Martial Arts
    3 Mustafa Tobah Royce Gracie

    Children No Gi
    Beginner
    60-79.9 lbs.
    1 Laszlo Nemes Royce Gracie
    2 Taylor Prejean Rage Fight Club

    80-94.9 lbs.
    1 Nicholas Rios de la Riva
    2 Patrick Hailey Rage Fight Club
    3 Zachary Pardue Synergy

    Children Gi
    Advanced
    50-59.9 lbs.
    1 Hannah Grace Forsyth World Class Martial Arts
    2 Lutfi Lasida Royce Gracie
    3 Mateo Nunez Yamasaki

    60-69.9 lbs.
    1 Jamir Johnson Yamasaki
    2 Daniel Row World Class Martial Arts
    3 Rebecca Forsyth World Class Martial Arts

    70-79.9 lbs.
    1 Nicholas Row World Class Martial Arts
    2 Rachel Jacobs Yamasaki

    80-94.9 lbs.
    1 Desmond Torres de la Riva
    2 Rex Beck Balance
    3 Sydney Allen World Class Martial Arts

    95-109.9 lbs.
    1 Christian Gillett Rage Fight Club
    2 Savannah Weatherford World Class Martial Arts
    3 Kyle Siquiera de la Riva

    125 lbs. and up
    1 John Rivera Pedro Sauer
    2 Marcelus Wilkinson World Class Martial Arts
    3 Mustafa Tobah Royce Gracie

    Childrens Gi
    Beginner
    50-59.9 lbs.
    1 Mateo Nunez Yamasaki
    2 David Miller Yamasaki
    3 Andy Villamar Royce Gracie

    70-79.9 lbs.
    1 Laszlo Nemes Capital Jiu Jitsu
    2 Keegan Daley Rage Fight Club
    3 Taylor Prejean Rage Fight Club

    80-94.9 lbs.
    1 Nicholas Rios de la Riva
    2 Zachary Pardue Synergy MMA
    3 Patrick Hailey Rage Fight Club

    Tournament Review Tuesday: Essex BJJ Open 2009

    May 5, 2009

    tournament essex open BJJ jiu-jitsu
    A takedown in the brown belt absolute division at the 2009 Essex BJJ Open.

    from Seymour Yang

    One of the great things happening right now in the UK BJJ scene is watching how the sport is flourishing so well. The Essex BJJ Open event (3rd May 2009) was a typical example of today’s well run, well turned out event.

    In 2002, British black belt Marc Walder and Royce Gracie held one of the very first BJJ tournaments in the UK at the Goresbrook Leisure Centre, Essex. The 2009 Essex Open, run by Marc Walder and Dave Coles, was at the same venue and it is notable that many of the competitors from that event in 2002 were also there today, as coaches and senior ranking grades.

    The Essex BJJ Open 2009 attracted roughly 300 competitors. The early signs that this was going to be an extremely well run event were there with an ultra efficient website that allowed all those registering to see who else had signed up within minutes.

    The general atmosphere of the venue was intimate enough with the crowd close enough to see all the action in detail. There were full divisions in the mens white belt adults and masters, as there were in the blue adults and masters. The absolutes in those two categories were popular as ever, and it was good to see a fair number of purple and brown belts fighting. A black belt superfight would have been a nice addition to the schedule but it was not to be.

    With so many categories and four mats in constant action, it was a busy event. But there were a few standout matches of the day. The white belt super feathers (under 64 kg) attracted immediate interest with two extremely talented young guys, both juveniles, but fighting in the adult division – 16 year-old Ahmed Amin and 15 year-old Tyrone Elliot. Both destroyed their opponents in the opening rounds and were destined to meet in the final. The 16 year-old won in the end, but both displayed such superb skills, the futures of both look to be stellar.

    Arguably the match that everyone wanted to see happen in the mens blue belt light (under 76 kg) division was the 2008 World Juniors No-gi grappling champion, Daniel Strauss, versus the 2008 Mundials junior blue belt champion, Stephen Martin. The meteoric rise of these two young men has earned them numerous trophies and plaudits, but surprisingly, they have never met each other in competition…until today. After both had comprehensively beaten their opponents in the opening rounds, the final that everyone had been waiting for was actually happening. As befitting two very technical players, the match was fairly even until Strauss broke the deadlock and gained the back. With a collar choke from the back looming, time ran out, but the winner was clear.

    BJJ comps are dominated by young men and women seeking medals. But one gentleman stood out amongst the rest – 69 year old Peter Griffiths – fighting his very first competition in the blue belt Masters light feather (under 64 kg) division. Seemingly undaunted by the challenge, Peter started his match off well with a wonderful judo foot sweep. The good run wasn’t to last however as his unforgiving opponent (the author!) ended it swiftly with an armbar. But Peter proved that age is no barrier in this game and he rose to a standing ovation from the admiring audience.

    The day ended with Marc Walder making an emotional speech thanking all those who competed and helped organise the event. Within minutes, all the results were compiled and the prestigious team trophy (The Mestre Mauricio Gomes Cup) was awarded to the vociferous Carlson Gracie BJJ Team.

    Seymour is a blue belt at Mill Hill Roger Gracie Academy, UK and writes the blog: meerkat69.blogspot.com


    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

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