Weekend Recap: IBJJF Events Dominate The Globe
Weekend Recap: IBJJF Events Dominate The Globe
The IBJJF's global reach was truly on display over the weekend, running four major tournaments spanning the United States, Brazil, and Europe.
The IBJJF's global reach was truly on display over the weekend, running four major tournaments spanning the United Sates, Brazil, and Europe. For all of our No-Gi Pans coverage, including a review of Gordon Ryan’s flawless double gold run, head to the coverage page.
IBJJF Global Event Recap
Copenhagen International Open
The Copenhagen international open draws some of northern Europe's best talent together for two days of action.
Representatives from Sweden, Norway, Germany, and more were on hand, but no two performances were more impressive than Tommy Langaker of Kimura Europe and Amal Amjahid from PAT Academy Belgium. Both athletes managed double gold in weight and absolute, especially incredible considering their natural weight is on the lower end of the spectrum: Amal is a featherweight and Tommy clocks in at medium-heavy.
Full results can be found here
Sao Paulo International Open
Next up we have the Sao Paulo International Open. A one-star event, the SP open generally sees more local talent than international level players, but this year fans were treated to some of the very best in the game.
Adam Wardzinski took heavyweight gold in gi and no-gi. Claudia Do Val earned quadruple gold (though one of those medals was earned via walk-over), and Bianca Basilio took gold in her weight class and bronze in the absolute.
Full results can be found here
Atlanta International Open
An alternative for America-based athletes less interested in no-gi, the Atlanta open also went down over the weekend with stellar participation.
Perhaps the biggest news coming out of the tournament is that Caio Terra Association representative Jeremy Jackson took his first ever gold medal as a black belt. Jackson has always been a top athlete on the cusp of something big, and this may be the spark needed for his next evolution as an athlete.
Other gold medalists include Matthew Leighton, Horlando Monteiro, and Inacio Neto.
Full results can be found here
Rida Hasim Earns Black Belt
Originally from Ghana, Rida Haisam has been based in Japan for 10 years since moving to Tokyo with his family at 15 years of age. Now 25, he’s been training jiu-jitsu for seven years and went full-time two years ago.
Most recently, Hasim took double gold at the IBJJF Asian Championships and earlier this summer the Crape Diem representative submitted no less than four black belts in one night at the Japanese no-gi grappling Quintet, a team-based competition devised by legendary MMA fighter Kazushi Sakuraba.
Rida’s entrance into the black belt heavyweight division is a welcome addition of new talent, and we can’t wait to see him mix it up with the worlds best.
Craig Jones and Matheus Diniz Go The Distance
In one of the most hyped matches of the month, Craig Jones and Matheus Diniz delivered an interesting yet deliberate match that left many fans hoping for a bit more.
Diniz showed early signs of explosive intent, ferociously trying to pass the guard and avoid giving Jones the chance to come under and elevate into any kind of leg entanglement. Ultimately, Diniz’ efforts were fruitless with the latter parts of the match taking place in the closed guard of Jones, with either man unable to advance their position.
In the end, Craig Jones earned the nod and win from the judges.
Watch Craig Jones vs Matheus Diniz
