Alive Daisuke Sugie
Alliance Lucas Lepri
Alliance Michael Langhi
Alliance Atlanta Luciano Nucci
Alliance Atlanta Rafael dos Santos
Aloisio Silva JJ João Silva
Atos David Juliano Lemes
Atos Guilherme Campos
Atos Jiu-Jitsu Gilbert Alexander Burns
BJJ Revolution Team Eben Kaneshiro
Carlson Gracie Team Alfredo Barum
Carlson Gracie Team Christian Lopez
Cassio Werneck Marcos Torregrosa
Check Mat BJJ Marcelo Mafra
Fabio Santos Florentino Martinez
Gracie Barra Alexander Crispim
Gracie Barra João Sobrinho
Gracie Barra America Philipe Della Monica
Gracie Barra America Rodrigo Simoes
Gracie Barra Caveirinha Carlos Eduardo Guimaraes
Gracie Barra Jacksonville Eder Souza de Persiliano
Gracie Barra Mario R Leopoldo Pires
Gracie Barra Philippines Arthur Alvin Aguilar
Gracie Humaita Fredson Alves
Gracie Humaita Longman Jared Espina
Gracie Tijuca Romulo Melo
Joao Roque Rodrigo Vieira
K-Poz Martial Arts Daniel Tavarez
Lloyd Irvin M.A. Academy Brad Court
Nova Uniao Reginaldo Loures
Ryan Gracie João Paulo Bertuccelli
Soul Fighters Augusto Mendes
Soul Fighters Rafael Barbosa
Sul Jiu-Jitsu Mateus Bernardi
Team Lutter Wesley Gann
The Armory Raphael Chaves
Tri-Force Toru Nakayama
The lightweight black belt division in the Worlds has always been synonymous with great classics (Marcio Feitosa vs Leo; Leo vs Shaolin; Shaolin vs Marcio). It’s ironic, though, that the best two in the weight group in 2009 are from the same team: Lucas Lepri and Michael Langhi. Without three-time champion Celso Venicius in the fray, still in physiotherapy after operating his knee two months ago, the path becomes a bit less tortuous for the crafty Alliance duo. But a lot of folks (really good ones) can make it.
To highlight another Japanese stalwart, watch out for Daisuke Sugie, who will finish or be finished. It’s a guaranteed show. Bonzai!
Predictions: Lucas Lepri and Michael Langhi
Category winners’ stands*:
2008 1) Celso Venicius (Ryan); 2) Lucas Lepri (Alliance); 3) Jonatas Gurgel (Jordan Team); 3) Michael Langui (Alliance)
2007 1) Lucas Lepri (Alliance); 2) Michel Maia (Nova União); 3) Celso Vinicius (Gracie Barra); Rafael Barbosa (BTT)
2006 1) Celso Venicius (Gracie Barra); 2)Mario Reis (Gracie Barra); 3) Adriano Martins (Carioca); 3) Claudio Calasans (Osvaldo Alves)
2005 1) Celso Venicius (Gordo JJ);2) Tiago Alves (Barbosa JJ); 3)Rafael Barbosa (BTT); 3)Felipe Souza (Gracie Barra)
2004 1) Daniel Moraes (G.Humaitá); 2) Rodrigo Magalhães (G. Barra); 3) Alexandre Conciero (Nova Geração); 3) Bruno de Paula (Alliance)
2003 1) Daniel Moraes (Gracie Humaitá); 2) Marcio Feitosa (Gracie Barra); 3) Marcos Pacheco (FJJAM); 3)Bruno de Paula (Alliance)
2002 1) Marcio Feitosa (Gracie Barra); 2) Marcelo Pupo (Gracie Barra); 3) Renato Migliaccio (Gracie SP);3) Albert Crane (Gracie Barra BH)
2001 1) Marcio Feitosa (Gracie Barra); 2) Leonardo Santos (Nova União); 3) Gustavo Corrêa (Gracie Humaitá); 3) Rodrigo Antônio (Nova União)
2000 1) Vitor Ribeiro (Nova União); 2) Marcio Feitosa (Gracie Barra); 3) Leonardo Santos (Nova União); 3) Leonardo Vieira (Alliance)
1999 1) Vitor Ribeiro (Nova União); 2) Marcio Feitosa (Gracie Barra); 3) Renato Barreto (Gracie Humaíta);3) Wellington Dias (Gracie Humaitá)
1998 1) Leonardo Vieira (Alliance); 2) Marcio Feitosa (Gracie Barra); 3) Mauricio Mariano (Gracie Barra); 3) Luiz Felipe Costa (Alliance)
1997 1) Marcio Feitosa (Gracie Barra); 2) Leonardo Vieira (Alliance); 3) Renato Barreto (Gracie Humaitá/Iate); 3) Renato Verissimo (Nova União)
1996 1) Paulo Barroso (Gracie Humaitá); 2) Renato Barreto (Gracie Humaitá)
*Results provided by IBJJF on official site. For more, ibjjf.com.
