IBJJF American Nationals Results: Ronaldo, Clay, Elder Win Big In Vegas
IBJJF American Nationals Results: Ronaldo, Clay, Elder Win Big In Vegas
The 2023 IBJJF American National Championships was a packed weekend of action, with incredible black belt debuts, close fights, upsets, and more
The IBJJF American Nationals delivered on a great weekend of gi and no-gi competition in Las Vegas, with grappling stars Elisabeth Clay, Ronaldo Junior, Elder Cruz, and Melissa Cueto taking home absolute gold. There were great black belt debuts, a few upsets, and some razor close matchups. CheckMat won both the gi and no-gi team titles, over tough squads from Carlson Gracie and Gracie Barra.
Ronaldo Junior bounced back from a divisional submission loss to eventual medium-heavy gold medalist Horlando Monteiro to capture absolute gold, defeating Jackson Nagai and Gabriel Silva Costa in his final two matches. The Atos black belt did not compete at the 2023 World Championships but has bounced back in strong fashion. Melissa Cueto took double gold in the women's divisions, with a default gold medal at heavyweight (only entrant) and a win over Thamara Ferreira Silva and Thaynara Aparecida to claim first place.
Watch Horlando's Quick Submission Win Over Ronaldo
New DreamArt black belt Marco Mendes had about as good of a debut as possible, winning the featherweight division while showcasing exciting, dynamic skills. He defeated Huthayfah Penney in the finals, and Huthayah would go on the next day to win the no-gi division. in another gold medal debut, Everton Teixeira bounced back from a loss in the brown belt world finals to Shay Montague to beat Rodnei Barbosa in the finals here. In other action, Italo Lima scored an upset over Pedro Henrique, who just took silver at Worlds.
Elder Cruz won double gold in no-gi, winning the open class and a talent-rich heavyweight division. He recorded wins over David Garmo, Sean Yadimarco, Adam Bradley, and Carlos Henrique as he continues to develop his no-gi skills at black belt.
Elisabeth Clay bounced back from a controversial loss to Thamara Ferreira Silva in the finals of the middleweight division in the gi to win double gold in no-gi, including beating Thamara in the finals of the open-class. The two women are 2-2 in their black belt careers against one another, and the matchup continues to develop into an exciting rivalry between skilled grapplers.
Josh Cisneros had a strong return, after missing some time to injury, returning to beat Carlos Henrique by decision in the finals of the no-gi lightweight bracket. Eduardo Avalar navigated a deep middleweight on his way to middleweight gold, in a division that included Andy Varela, Francisco Cuneo, and Jackson Nagai.