Rodolfo attacks from mount. Photo: Carlos Ozório.
Following the excitement determining the finalists on Saturday, Sunday saw the athletes to qualify for the World Pro Jiu-Jitsu Championship come through the pipes. The winners will travel with all expenses paid to the main event in Abu Dhabi.
Among the standouts was 2011 double Worlds winner Rodolfo Vieira (GFTeam), confirming his status as favorite by beating brown belt Luiz Panza (Barbosa) in the final. After landing a takedown, passing guard and making it to mount, Vieira finished up with an armbar. Of his four-total matches, three ended by this same submission hold.
Adriano rallied back and beat Vitor Henrique. Photo: Carlos Ozório.
At under-83 kg, Vitor Henrique (GFTeam) had a one-guard pass lead over Adriano Silva before the Barbosa black belt swept and then mounted to rally back and win by 6-3. Adriano had a total five matches at the event.
Willcox hunts for omoplata. Photo: Carlos Ozório.
Another hard fought encounter saw the veteran Gabriel Willcox (Soul Fighters) overcome Marcelo dos Santos (Instituto Reação) by first sweeping and then scoring an advantage from half-guard. Marcelo did fight back with a sweep but ended up losing on the scorecards. At 35 years of age, Willcox had five matches and is through to the big event in the UAE.
In the under-74 kg division, GFTeam’s Vinicius Marinho and Theodoro Canal shut out the final, with Marinho designated the gold-medal winner. In the over-92 kg division, Thiago Gaia (Nova União) didn’t make it to his match with Ricardo Evangelista (GFTeam) on time and ended up losing by WO.
Gabi still unbeatable / Photo: Carlos Ozório
In the female contest, Gabi Garcia’s reign continues. Having won her lone Saturday match, on Sunday she outpointed Fernanda Mazelli with a takedown and guard pass. Now in the under-61 kg division, Jessica Santos was the big winner, having overcome Hellen Bastos.
And then there was the men’s absolute final, worth US$ 400 to the winner, which Augusto Ferrari won by choking out Theodoro Canal.
