Rafael “Barata” Freitas will compete in the final of the under 143 category at the San Diego WPJJC Trial on Sunday January 27 / Photo by Erin Herle

The matches in the Miramar College gym went off without a hitch today at the San Diego WPJJC Trial.

The day started at 10 a.m. with the adult blue belts filling the four mats. As the day moved on down the belts and the division winners were solidified, the crowds grew. The blue belts, many under the age of 21, captured the action well. By the time the purple belts began, crowds were watching intently as the athletes had their chance to shine. Moving to brown and black belts, it was a time for all to admire the technique and tenacity unfolding in search for a ticket to Abu Dhabi in April.

Overall, the final matches of each division garnered their own intensity, cheers and sweat poured. Tomorrow will be time for the absolute divisions to begin with white belts qualifying from semi-final division winners and up and all other divisions qualifying from the quarter-final winners and up.

Here are the winners of the divisions:

ADULT MALE

WHITE
Light Feather:  Chuong Vu/Lotus Club Jiu-Jitsu
Feather: Mark Barrett/Cobrinha BJJ
Light: Ivan Herrera/Undisputed
Middle: Alex Ogiyevich/Gracie Barra Northridge
Medium Heavy: Michael Scott/BJJ Revolution
Heavy: Russell Delmar/SDBJJ
Ultra Heavy: Max Necochea/Undisputed

BLUE
Light Feather: Ian Sanders/Gracie Barra Manhattan Beach
Feather: Jeremy Jackson/Gracie Barra Northridge
Light: Angelo Guerrero-Barden/ATOS Jiu-Jitsu
Middle: Erick Leon Garcia/Gracie Barra
Medium Heavy: Kaniela Kahuanui/Caio Terra BJJ
Heavy: James Gray/Megaton Jiu-Jitsu
Super Heavy: Luke Pollard/Kaijin
Ultra Heavy: James Friedrich/ATOS Jiu-Jitsu

PURPLE
Light-Feather: Bobby Castle/Gracie Jiu-Jitsu
Feather: Jeremy Spry/Undisputed
Light: John Meno/ATOS Jiu-Jitsu
Middle: Nisar Loynab/ATOS Jiu-Jitsu
Medium Heavy: Daniel Hampton/Nova Uniao
Heavy: Mike Carbullido/ATOS Jiu-Jitsu
Super Heavy: David Morehead/Joe Stevenson’s Cobra Kai
Ultra Heavy: Eric Geib/Victory MMA

FEMALE ADULT

WHITE/BLUE
Light Feather: Sheryl Lawrence/Fight Sports Avengers
Feather: Claudia Diaz/Caio Terra BJJ
Light: Erica Plummer Santana Nascimento/Lotus Club Jiu-Jitsu
Middle: Christine Giaquinto/Gracie Humaita San Diego
Medium Heavy: Natyna Vidato/Selva BJJ
Heavy: Tara White/ATOS Jiu-Jitsu

PURPLE/BROWN/BLACK
Light Feather: Tracy Leung/Gracie Humaita USA
Feather: Chelsea Bainbridge-Donner/ATOS Jiu-Jitsu
Light: Sarah Black/Nova Uniao

BROWN/BLACK ADULT MALE FINALS FOR SUNDAY, JANUARY 27:

Under 143: Rafael Freitas v.s. Baret Yoshida
Under 163: Rodrigo Freitas v.s. Zak Maxwell
Under 183: Don Ortega v.s. Marcelo Mafra
Under 202: Eliot Kelly v.s. Roberto Alencar
Over 202: Marcus Almeida v.s. James Puopolo

Two brown/black open divisions have been added, under 183 and over 183. Cash prize available to the winner of each at $500.

For schedule, results and more information, head to www.prosportsbjj.com

Keenan submits an opponent at the 2012 No-Gi World Championships / Photo by Erin Herle

Originally, Keenan Cornelius from Team Lloyd Irvin was planned to have a superfight with fellow brown belt champion, Felipe Pena in the Copa Podio 2013 Heavyweight Grand Prix event in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Due to interferences with the Lloyd Irvin BJJ Kumite tournament on Keenan’s home turf this month, the superfight was cancelled.

With some new arrangements, however, the brown belt ace will now be attending for sure as a member of the yellow team. This tournament is designed for heavyweights, a small jump in weight for Keenan who resided in the middle weight category for most of this year. 

Top of the podium at the 2012 Abu Dhabi World Cup Trials New York

He is no stranger to absolute divisions as he conquered all of which he entered on his way to becoming the 2012 Grand Slam Champion, weight and absolute. He further showcased his abilities to match with heavier opponents at the 2012 Abu Dhabi World Pro Cup Trials in New York back in October as he won the -92kg brown/black belt division as well as placing third in the heavy absolute (+92 kg). In his path, he defeated world champion Roberto “Tussa” Alencar who is a native to the heavyweight divisions as well as champion of numerous absolutes.

Keenan shows no hesitation in his search for gold medals as a full-time medal chaser at the Team Lloyd Irvin Headquarters in Camp Springs, MD by his willingness to go against the top guys in the world, whatever weight they may be. When asked how he was approaching this event he told GRACIEMAG.com, “Go big or go home.”

In terms of  the Copa Podio Jiu-Jitsu event next month, Keenan is set to be included in a pool with Rodolfo Vieira, Leonardo Nogueira, Alexandre Ceconi and Xande Ribeiro. His first match is against Leonardo Nogueira of team Alliance, current super heavyweight world champion. In the green group, there is Alexandre Souza, Antonio Braga Neto, Lucio Lagarto, Bruno Bastos and Joao Gabriel Rocha.

If you are impressed by Keenan’s invite, his coach Lloyd Irvin, Jr can explain why you should be. From his facebook, he writes:

“This kid Keenan Cornelius is living the BJJ DREAM, 2 years ago no one knew who he was, he wasn’t winning anything, then in 2012 he became the first person to double grand slam ever and next month he will be competing against some of the absolute best black belts in BJJ today! WOW what a ride. Who else goes from not winning any purple belt tournaments to competing against Rodolfo Vieira & Xande in 2 years. Keenan has been added to the BIG BOY tournament”

To know more about the Copa Podio taking place January 13, please visit: www.copapodio.com