Austin, TX — The Austin Open IBJJF continues to reinforce the city’s reputation as a rising epicenter for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. But at this year’s event, one competitor stole the spotlight: Sandra Kowalska.

Representing Gracie Barra, Kowalska captured gold in the Gi Open Division, an impressive feat for the ascending blue belt. Her win in Austin adds to an already stellar year—claiming four gold medals at the Houston Open, a gold at the Dallas Open, and a podium finish at the prestigious Pan Nogi Championship.

Born in Gdynia, Poland, Kowalska’s athletic roots began on the handball court, where she competed on the Polish youth national team. Her drive and discipline were further sharpened during her service in the Polish Navy, traits that now fuel her relentless work ethic on the Jiu-Jitsu mats.

Sandra’s transition into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has been nothing short of transformative. Known for her radiant energy, fierce competitiveness, and unwavering team spirit, she’s become both a leader and inspiration within the Gracie Barra community. Whether she’s battling it out in open weight divisions or rallying her team at international events, her presence is impossible to ignore.

With her eyes firmly set on the global stage and a growing list of accolades, Sandra Kowalska is quickly becoming a name to watch in the world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

The pop star, proud of her new rank.

After shining with her rendition of the United States’ national anthem before the fight between Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor last weekend, Demi Lovato has now inched closer to her own mastery of a martial art.

The 25-year-old superstar received this week her blue belt in BJJ. Demi, who has appeared numerous times on social media trying out moves, had her industry rewarded with the graduation.

“I’m so beyond excited because I just received my blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu,” she wrote. “I fell in love with BJJ over a year ago and have been training several times a week ever since. Thank you so much to my coaches. I love you.”

Among those involved in the singer’s training is Tarsis Humphreys, who wrote, “I’m happy to see you happy on your belt promotion. I’m so proud of you Demi Lovato, let’s keep the hard work till the end. Happy to have you representing the BJJ community.”

Lightweight Jonnatas Gracie won the absolute division and got his brown belt from André Galvão. Instagram

This Friday another legion of athletes packed the Walter Pyramid in Long Beach at the 2017 World Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship. The second day of competition featured blue-, purple- and brown-belts.

Three athletes stood out from even the champion tier by bagging two gold medals: Andresa Cintra (Checkmat) at brown, Jonnatas Gracie (Atos) at purple and Maggie Grindatti (Fight Sports) at blue.

Jonnatas, who receive the name Gracie from his BJJ-loving dad, gave an example of technique cancelling a disadvantage in size. First he won seven matches in the 104-strong lightweight division — the final saw him beat Lucas Nascimento (Alliance).

Then he took on the absolute field, of athletes mostly bigger than himself. Jonnatas beat one by one and reached the final against ultra-heavyweight Vitor Marques (Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu), whom he also defeated. Jonnatas had earned his double gold — and then Atos leader André Galvão promoted him to brown-belt on the spot.

Galvão later went online to praise Jonnatas:

I’m super proud of this guy so happy for him… Amazing performance. 19 years old becoming the best Purple Belt of 2017 winning light weight division & the absolute. Jonnatas trains at Atos since last year. His dedication is impressive.

Best Purple Belt of the World ?? || my student @jonnatas_gracie won double gold today Worlds 2017 defeating 3 Ultra Heavy Weights in a row (1st, 2nd & 3rd Place from Ultra Heavy Purple). I’m super proud of this guy so happy for him…amazing performance. 19 years old becoming the best Purple Belt of 2017 winning light weight division & the absolute. Jonnatas trains at @atosjiujitsuhq since last year. His dedication is impressive. I’m so happy right now hahahaha! Congrats Jonnatas and all his team mates from San Diego Ca. We did it!!! Praise God… ?? #Discipline #HardWork #Dedication #AtosHQ #JonnatasGracie #Champion #Jiujitsu #BJJ || Melhor faixa roxa do mundo ?? || Meu aluno @jonnatas_gracie ganhou o ouro duplo hoje Worlds 2017 derrotando 3 pesadíssimos um@atras do outro (1º, 2º e 3º lugar do Pesadíssimo Roxa). Estou super orgulhoso desse cara tão feliz por ele … performance incrível. 19 anos, tornando-se o melhor faixa roxa de 2017, ganhando o peso leve e o absoluto. Jonnatas treina no @atosjiujitsuhq desde o ano passado. Sua dedicação é impressionante. Estou muito feliz por ele hahahaha! Parabéns Jonnatas e todos os seus companheiros de equipe de San Diego Ca. Nós fizemos isso!!! Glórias a Deus … ?? #Disciplina #Hardwork #Dedicação #AtosHQ #JonnatasGracie #Champion #Jiujitsu #BJJ

A post shared by Andre Galvao Official (@galvaobjj) on Jun 2, 2017 at 11:26pm PDT

Women’s

Andressa Cintra also mowed down her competition. The brown-belt won medium heavyweight and absolute gold, both against fellow Checkmat fighter Samantha Cook.

At blue, Maggie Grindatti was the big winner. In order to beat the medium heavyweight field, she won three fights before defeating Rebecca Faris (MXT Fight Academy) in the final. Then she won four fights in the open division, including the final against Chloe Mcnally (Unity Jiu-Jitsu).

Teams

At the end of day 2, Atos led the men’s race with 64 points, trailed by GFTeam at 37 and Cícero Costha at 27. Checkmat was leading the women’s race with 50, followed by Gracie Barra at 43 and Alliance at 34.

You can click here to get the complete results so far.

Pedro Machado displays his two gold medals on the absolute podium.

Thursday, June 1st, saw the first day of the 2017 World Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship in Long Beach. Kicking off the action at the Walter Pyramid were the white-, blue- and purple-belts in the adult divisions.

Most noteworthy were events that transpired in the women’s purple belt absolute and the men’s blue belt. American purple-belt Jessica Guendry, of Soul Fighters, nabbed double gold, as did Brazilian blue-belt Pedro Machado, of Gordo Jiu-Jitsu.

Medium heavyweight Guendry won four bouts in her weight division, including the final opposite Emily Sheil (JR Academy). In the open division, Guendry won three more matches before facing and defeating Kendall Reusing (Gracie Barra).

Pedro Machado, a medium heavyweight blue-belt under Paulo “Rabicó” Perrota, won his weight division’s final over Reda Hamzaoui (GF Team) by sweeping and scoring 2-0. That meant he had beaten a massive field of 66 other athletes, all told. In the open division, he defeated three opponents to reach the final against Taylor Kettler (Renato Tavares Association), which he won as well.

You can click here to see the results of the 2017 Worlds so far.

Kennedy Maciel, son of Rubens Cobrinha, won gold at purple belt. IBJJF.

The 2017 Pan is in full swing. The event welcomed Thursday many of the strongest blue- and purple-belts, and they didn’t disappoint.

FloGrappling, which is streaming the IBJJF event live, set aside a highlight reel of day one, which you can see below.

Click here to catch up on what happened on day one.

Kaynan Casemiro in action at the 2017 Pan. IBJJF.

It’s on — another week filled with the best the gentle art has to offer. This Thursday the Pan kicked off. Day 1 was dedicated to men’s and women’s purple belt touneys, as well as men’s blue belt ones.

The day’s biggest name, Kaynan Casemiro (Atos) confirmed his favoritism by winning double gold. Casemiro recently appeared on Graciemag.com for having won the ADCC’s Rio trials. At the Pan he won his first medal by beating Andrew Wiltse (Pedigo Submission Fighting) at medium heavyweight. Then in the open he bested Marques (Ribeiro JJ).

Purple-belt Izadora Cristina of Ns Brotherhood again stood out among women. After tripping up at heavyweight and taking silver behind Alexandra Coleman (Ground Control), she came back with a vengeance for the absolute division. She was pitted against middleweight champion Julia Boscher (Soulfighters) in the final and came out on top.

Also of note at purple belt: Kennedy Maciel took down the light featherweight division, and Thalison Vitorino of Cícero Costha nabbed roosterweight gold in his debut at this belt.

Alex Munis of Nova União was the big name at blue belt. The skilled middleweight beat Scott Perry (Unity JJ) in that division’s final, and then beat Luiz Paulo Medeiros (Alliance) to secure his second gold.

Find the day-1 results below and check back with Graciemag.com for all there is to know about the Pan.

WHITE / Adult / Male / Rooster

1 – Gene San Miguel – Atos Jiu-Jitsu
2 – Shawn Christopher Pablo – Baret Submissions
3 – Fernando Ramirez – One Jiu-Jitsu USA
3 – Kenny Ceron – Diego Herzog BJJ

WHITE / Adult / Male / Light-Feather

1 – Ryan Joseph Shaughnessy – Kimura BJJ USA
2 – Robert Corpt – Gracie Barra
3 – Carlos Aguilar – Brazilian Top Team
3 – Elliot Stutzer – Tinguinha BJJ academy

WHITE / Adult / Male / Feather

1 – Gonzalo Ignacio Sahagon Quintanilla Jr – Atos Jiu-Jitsu
2 – Michael Garner – Pedigo Submission Fighting
3 – Fabian Andres Soto Oyarzun – Cohab Chile
3 – Josh Kim – Gazze Academy

WHITE / Adult / Male / Light

1 – Luis Robles – CheckMat
2 – Austin M. Phelps – Pedigo Submission Fighting
3 – Bryson Kaimana Yoro – One Jiu-Jitsu USA
3 – Wesley Lancaster – CheckMat

WHITE / Adult / Male / Middle

1 – Harry Louis Powell – Atos Jiu-Jitsu
2 – Jacob Smith – Amazonas Rice Bros BJJ
3 – Edgar Humberto Rivera – Gracie Barra
3 – Jake Webb – LEAD BJJ

WHITE / Adult / Male / Medium-Heavy

1 – Joey Schoenfeld – One Jiu-Jitsu USA
2 – John Gallagher Iv – Paragon BJJ Academy
3 – Javier Farias – Carlson Gracie Team
3 – Sam Duncan Fagan – Impact Jiu Jitsu

WHITE / Adult / Male / Heavy

1 – Henry Edson – Kimura BJJ USA
2 – Bryan Eden Castaneda – Sandro Batata Brazilian Jiu-jitsu
3 – Hector Acosta – Atos Jiu-Jitsu
3 – Jorge Benavides – Gracie Barra

WHITE / Adult / Male / Super-Heavy

1 – Jason Meehan – Alliance
2 – John Kane – Zenith BJJ
3 – Eric Galvan – Coalition 95
3 – Nwabueze Umeh – Tinguinha BJJ academy

WHITE / Adult / Male / Ultra-Heavy

1 – Jason Shirley – CheckMat
2 – Justin Mueller – CheckMat
3 – Brandon Pollard – Pedigo Submission Fighting
3 – Jesse Simonsen – Creighton Mixed Martial Arts Academy

WHITE / Adult / Female / Rooster

1 – Jasmin Gonzalez – Teixeira Garcia Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
2 – Janice Lai – Apex Martial Arts
3 – Amanda Brewer – Relson Gracie
3 – ThuyAnTrisha Gertsma – Atos Jiu-Jitsu

WHITE / Adult / Female / Light-Feather

1 – Jennifer Mendoza – Gracie Barra
2 – Haruka Nakajima – Roger Machado
3 – Alyssa Wang – Smash Gyms
3 – Erika Andrews – Zenith BJJ

WHITE / Adult / Female / Feather

1 – Gianna Cereghino – Hypermodern
2 – Rio Carlson – Hypermodern
3 – Leeza Comfort Rancourt – Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu
3 – Mariah Bragg – Alliance

WHITE / Adult / Female / Light

1 – Blanca Macedo – Nova União
2 – Jasmine Wilson – Gracie Humaita
3 – Maria Bascom – Bonsai JJ – USA
3 – Tonia k Hanson – Team LDMA

WHITE / Adult / Female / Middle

1 – Laurel Holloway – CheckMat
2 – Alison Stiegler – Ralph Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Berkeley
3 – America Barba – Alliance International
3 – Geraldine N. Eaves – Zenith BJJ

WHITE / Adult / Female / Medium-Heavy

1 – Devin Topping – Brasa CTA
2 – Brittany Davidson – Clark Gracie Jiu Jitsu Academy
3 – Carmen Vega De Alencar – Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu
3 – Crystal Breanna Martinez – Gracie Barra

WHITE / Adult / Female / Heavy

1 – Andrea Tara Schmidt – Teixeira Garcia Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
2 – Michelle Len – Ares BJJ
3 – Alyssa Jade Hernandez – Ralph Gracie Jiu Jitsu
3 – Morgan Collier – Legacy Jiu-Jitsu – Team Alberto Crane

WHITE / Adult / Female / Super-Heavy

1 – Nicole Camden – American Top Team Jacksonville
2 – Lindsey Ikenberry – Impact Jiu Jitsu
3 – Caroline Marques – GF Team
3 – Hannah Leigh Mason – Alliance

WHITE / Master 1 / Male / Rooster

1 – Peter chi Sung Kang – CheckMat
2 – Tyler Villasenor – Carlson Gracie Team

WHITE / Master 1 / Male / Light-Feather

1 – Anthony Goetz – Pedigo Submission Fighting
2 – Dustin Manuel Roberto – Alliance
3 – Christopher Khim – Rilion Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy
3 – Ulises Gonzalez – Brazilian Top Team

WHITE / Master 1 / Male / Feather

1 – Eric Xavier Valenzuela – Werdum Combat Team USA
2 – Peter L Wolynski – Rodrigo Vaghi BJJ
3 – Charles Banh – Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu
3 – Lio Stephen Isoda – Lotus Club USA

WHITE / Master 1 / Male / Light

1 – Danilo Pelicano – Cobra Kai Jiu Jitsu
2 – William Miranda – Tinguinha BJJ academy
3 – Dylan Caron – Apex Martial Arts
3 – Ranier Mantilla Piramide – Brazilian Top Team

WHITE / Master 1 / Male / Medium-Heavy

1 – Matthew Burdick – Big Brothers
2 – Mychal-alex Gibbs – RCJ Machado
3 – Gabe Etrata Torres – Caveirinha Jiu-Jitsu Family USA
3 – Mahmoud Sabha – Brazilian Top Team

WHITE / Master 1 / Male / Heavy

1 – Benjamin Ferguson – Pedigo Submission Fighting
2 – Thiago Kozak – Gracie Barra
3 – Marcelo Rezende Dias – Zenith BJJ

WHITE / Master 1 / Male / Super-Heavy

1 – David Lamar Rollins – Carlson Gracie Team
2 – Rajeev Williams – Gracie Barra
3 – Roland Phillips – Alliance
3 – Samuel Jimenez – New Breed Academy

WHITE / Master 1 / Male / Ultra-Heavy

1 – Leonard Miller – Kings Jiu-Jitsu
2 – Anthony James Timm – Zenith BJJ
3 – Daniel Brown – Fabio Santos BJJ
3 – Kelly Illescas – Gracie Fighter

WHITE / Master 2 / Male / Light-Feather

1 – Cameron Walser – Caveirinha Jiu-Jitsu Family USA
2 – Jose Angel Guardado – Gracie Barra
3 – Daniel Samaniego – Teixeira Garcia Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
3 – Vagner De Sousa Vidal – PSLPB Cicero Costha B

WHITE / Master 2 / Male / Feather

1 – Duane Cox – McVicker’s Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
2 – Scott Nguyen – Gracie Barra
3 – Daniel Roger Abgrall – Apex Martial Arts
3 – Peter Tran – Del Mar Jiu-Jitsu Club

WHITE / Master 2 / Male / Medium-Heavy

1 – Rich Johnston – Pedigo Submission Fighting
2 – Denis Kuzelj – Pedigo Submission Fighting
3 – James Clifford Frazer – Gracie Barra

BLUE / Adult / Male / Rooster

1 – Darryl R. Lebus – Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu
2 – Tyler Mase – Soul Fighters BJJ
3 – Eric Michael Sainz – Zingano Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
3 – Samuel Bretado – Atos Jiu-Jitsu

BLUE / Adult / Male / Light-Feather

1 – Demian Balderrama Gomez – Atos Jiu-Jitsu
2 – Anthony Curry – Bonsai JJ – USA
3 – Austin Jay DeSousa – New England United BJJ
3 – Maui Lacaze – GF Team

BLUE / Adult / Male / Feather

1 – Israel de Sousa Almeida – GF Team
2 – Luiz Paulo Carneiro Medeiros – Alliance
3 – Ricky Briceno – Atos Jiu-Jitsu
3 – Roberto Sanchez Carmona – Atos Jiu-Jitsu

BLUE / Adult / Male / Light

1 – Lucas Tres Arena de Souza – Atos Jiu-Jitsu
2 – Martin Gonzalez – Atos Jiu-Jitsu
3 – Ahmad Jingo – GF Team
3 – Max Rohskopf – Alliance

BLUE / Adult / Male / Middle

1 – Alex Munis dos Santos – Nova União
2 – Scott D. Perry – Unity Jiu-jitsu
3 – Benjamin Hernandez – Coachella Valley BJJ
3 – Jorge Valladares – Mohler Jiu-Jitsu

BLUE / Adult / Male / Medium-Heavy

1 – Pedro Henrique P. Machado Souza – Gordo Jiu-Jitsu
2 – Devin Hightower – Combat Base
3 – Dante Daniel Cano Junior – Alliance
3 – Nathaniel Pena – Uflacker Academy

BLUE / Adult / Male / Heavy

1 – Darin Conner Deangelis – Atos Jiu-Jitsu
2 – Edward Lee Ruth – Dethrone Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
3 – Alexander Sterner – Atos Jiu-Jitsu
3 – Marcel Scheier – Pacific Top Team

BLUE / Adult / Male / Super-Heavy

1 – Taylor Kettler – Renato Tavares Association
2 – Pawel Sawczynski – Atos Jiu-Jitsu
3 – Anthony Cangiano – GF Team
3 – David Cox – Massachusetts Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

BLUE / Adult / Male / Ultra-Heavy

1 – Justo Pozo – Fight Sports
2 – Tafon Nchukwi – Team Lloyd Irvin
3 – Benjamin Sutz – Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu
3 – Oh Se Won – Jiu-Jitsu Lab

PURPLE / Adult / Male / Rooster

1 – Thalison Vitorino Soares – PSLPB Cicero Costha
2 – Brad Matthew Johnston – Atos Jiu-Jitsu
3 – Daniel Rodriguez – Nova União
3 – Pierre Pires – Soul Fighters BJJ

PURPLE / Adult / Male / Light-Feather

1 – Kennedy Leonardo Maciel – Alliance
2 – Lucas Emanuel da Silva – Gracie Barra
3 – Derek Alumbaugh – Easton BJJ
3 – Igor Almeida – ZR Team Association

PURPLE / Adult / Male / Feather

1 – Matheus Gabriel Pinheiro Barros – CheckMat
2 – Jeferson Guaresi – PSLPB Cicero Costha
3 – Guilherme G. Borges O. da Rocha – ZR Team Association
3 – José Matheus M. de L. Luna – CheckMat

PURPLE / Adult / Male / Light

1 – Jonnatas Gracie Araujo da Silva – Atos Jiu-Jitsu
2 – Gustavo Khouri Maron – Alliance
3 – Connor James Donaldson – Gracie Barra
3 – Lucas Gualberto Gomes Nascimento – Alliance

PURPLE / Adult / Male / Middle

1 – Levi Jones-Leary – Unity Jiu-Jitsu International
2 – Ronaldo Pereira de Souza Júnior – Academia Pitbull
3 – Daniel Nunes Martins – Atos Jiu-Jitsu
3 – Jake Michael Watson – Power MMA

PURPLE / Adult / Male / Medium-Heavy

1 – Kaynan Casemiro Duarte – Atos Jiu-Jitsu
2 – Andrew Wiltse – Pedigo Submission Fighting
3 – Ryan Aitken – Alliance
3 – Shane Fishman – Body of Four

PURPLE / Adult / Male / Heavy

1 – Marcus Vinicius Siqueira – Alliance
2 – Mason Fowler – Dethrone Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
3 – Felipe Rocha – Atos Jiu-Jitsu
3 – Zane Spruce – Gracie Barra

PURPLE / Adult / Male / Super-Heavy

1 – Devhonte M. Johnson – Unity Jiu-jitsu
2 – Daniel J. Rodriguez – Uflacker Academy
3 – Joe Mendoza – Kron Gracie Jiu Jitsu
3 – Leon E. Jackson III – Gracie Barra

PURPLE / Adult / Male / Ultra-Heavy

1 – Victor Hugo Costa Marques – Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu
2 – Renato dos Santos Tagliari – Brasa CTA
3 – Austin Baker – Gracie Barra
3 – Dennis Andra – Gracie Barra

PURPLE / Adult / Female / Rooster

1 – Rita De Cassia Reis – Club Pina
2 – Margarita Prado Ochoa – Atos Jiu-Jitsu
3 – Karen Danielle de Sousa Carvalho – Brasa CTA
3 – Yeean (Margaret) Tseng – Ralph Gracie Jiu Jitsu

PURPLE / Adult / Female / Light-Feather

1 – Ana Cristina Araujo Rodrigues – Atos Jiu-Jitsu
2 – Larissa Campos Carvalho – Gracie Reunion
3 – Erika Ontiveros Sánchez – Alliance
3 – Lavinia Francesconi Barbosa – Gracie Humaita

PURPLE / Adult / Female / Feather

1 – Trang Mai Pham – Way of the Warrior BJJ Academy
2 – Crystal Demopoulos – GF Team
3 – Anja Bergo – Frontline Academy
3 – Maria Fernanda Cardozo – Alliance International

PURPLE / Adult / Female / Light

1 – Vannessa Nancy Griffin – Team Lloyd Irvin
2 – Katherine Marie Heckman Torralbas – Team Lloyd Irvin
3 – Alexandria L. Enriquez – Knuckleup
3 – Victoria Maciel – Soul Fighters BJJ

PURPLE / Adult / Female / Middle

1 – Julia Boscher Seixas Pinto – Soul Fighters BJJ
2 – Elizabeth Jane Exell – Vilanova Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
3 – Cássia Paola Paixão – Alliance
3 – Laura Ann Heiman Martins – GF Team

PURPLE / Adult / Female / Medium-Heavy

1 – Emily Sheil – JR Academy
2 – Julia Avila – Zenith BJJ
3 – Gabrielle Stan – Jiu-Jitsu For Life Team
3 – Leandra Poole – Gracie Barra

PURPLE / Adult / Female / Heavy

1 – Alexandra Brynn Coleman – Ground Control
2 – Izadora Silva – Ns Brotherhood
3 – Bethany Bates – Vinny Magalhaes BJJ
3 – Jessica Guedry – Soul Fighters BJJ

PURPLE / Adult / Female / Super-Heavy

1 – Amanda Cristina Alves da Silva – Ns Brotherhood

The first day of action at the 2016 World Jiu-Jitsu championship featured lots of thrills in over 12 hours of Jiu-Jitsu at the Long Beach Pyramid.

The main attraction was the adult male blue belt division, but juvenile and master white belts also took to the mats to pour their hearts out in search of the much wanted gold medal.

In the blue belt division, Guigo Jiu-Jitsu’s Luis Eduardo do Carmo was the stand out after all was said and done with a double gold campaign. Duzão first won the ultra-heavy division after six matches, then he went for the open class title.

In the absolute, Do Carmo had five more matches and made his way to the top of the podium with five submissions. In the final, he caught Mauricio Oliveira Neto with an americana lock from side control.

After his second podium ceremony, Duzão was graduated to purple belt by his Professor Guigo.

The male adult purple belt division started out this Thursday with two divisions, the roosterweight and the light-feather. Rubens Cobrinha’s son Kennedy Maciel won his first title in the Worlds as an adult when he managed a last-second sweep on Jonata Ramos.

Click here for the full results of day 1.

The 2016 Worlds resumes this Friday at 9AM local time with the remainder of the male adult purple belt division, two divisions in the male brown belt and the female blue and purple belt divisions.

Click here for the full schedule of day 2

Here’s a photo gallery of the best moments of the blue belt open class division.

Follow the complete coverage at GRACIEMAG’s social media channels: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter.

Coverage brought to you by GAMENESS.

Eduardo Lopes

Day 1 of the 2016 Pan Jiu-Jitsu championship ran smoothly this Thursday at the Bren Events Center, in Irvine, California.

White belts, blue belts and purple belts took over the 12 mats and put on a great show for the packed stands.

The highlights of the day were the blue belt and the purple belt adult male open class divisions.

Among the blue belts, glory went to Barbosa Jiu-Jitsu’s Eduardo Lopes, who won both the absolute and the ultra-heavy division.

In the final match of the open class, Lopes finished Cicero Costha’s André Porfírio after passing the guard and reaching side control.

Here are the final results of the adult male blue belt division.

BLUE / Adult / Male / Rooster

First – Henrique Salgado do Amaral – Gracie Barra

Second – Robert Robinson – New England United

Third – Thiago Ueno – Over Limit BJJ

Third – Ryan Galvan – Alliance

BLUE / Adult / Male / Light Feather

First – Francisco Jonas Borges Andrade – PSLPB Cicero Costha

Second – Matheus Gabriel Pinheiro Barros – CheckMat

Third – Lucas Emanuel da Silva – Gracie Barra

Third – Austin Jay DeSousa – New England United BJJ

BLUE / Adult / Male / Feather

First – Israel de Sousa Almeida – GF Team

Second – Matheus Lucas Rocha de Oliveira – Gracie Barra

Third – Abdiweli Buul – Atos JJ USA

Third – Noah Sarna – Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu

BLUE / Adult / Male / Light

First – Guthierry Barbosa N. Conceição – PRM Team

Second – Byung Ju Lee – Team Lloyd Irvin

Third – Lucas Gualberto Gomes Nascimento – Alliance

Third – Raphael Dillon da Gama Cansanção – CheckMat

BLUE / Adult / Male / Middle

First – Andrew Wiltse – Pedigo Submission Fighting

Second – Mayid Abdol Kader – David Jacobs Jiu-Jitsu Team

Third – Daniel Nunes Martins – Atos Jiu-Jitsu

Third – Henrique Nóbrega e Silva – Brasa CTA

BLUE / Adult / Male / Medium Heavy

First – Zachary Balaban – Atos Jiu-Jitsu

Second – André Luiz Novaes Porfirio – PSLPB Cicero Costha

Third – Kai Abuan – American Top Team Wellington

Third – Andre Fialho – CheckMat

BLUE / Adult / Male / Heavy

First – Mebtouche Reda – GF Team

Second – dannesh bastani – Anchorage Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Third – Kevin Lepert – GD Jiu-Jitsu Association

Third – Matheus Moreira Do Amaral – Gordo Jiu-Jitsu

BLUE / Adult / Male / Super Heavy

First – Daniel J. Rodriguez – Uflacker Academy

Second – Taylor Kettler – Renato Tavares Association

Third – Josh Ihnen – Axios

Third – Daniel Bermudez – Lansang Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

BLUE / Adult / Male / Ultra Heavy

First – Luis Eduardo Lopes do Carmo – Barbosa JJ

Second – Diego Vasquez – Carlson Gracie Team

Third – Bruno Zacher – Alliance

Third – Leroy Johnson – Detroit Jiu-Jitsu Academy

BLUE / Adult / Male / Open Class

First – Luis Eduardo Lopes do Carmo – Barbosa JJ

Second – André Luiz Novaes Porfirio – PSLPB Cicero Costha

Third – Andrew Wiltse – Pedigo Submission Fighting

Third – Kevin Lepert – GD Jiu-Jitsu Association

Vinicius Ferreira

In the adult male purple belt division, the standout was Alliance’s Vinicius Ferreira.

He came back from finishing second in the heavyweight division to win the open class.

The final match was a tough encounter with Gustavo Batista, won by split referee decision.

Here are the full results of the adult male purple belt division.

 PURPLE / Adult / Male / Rooster

First – João Gabriel Batista de Sousa – Gracie Barra

Second – Mehdi Allaoui – GF Team

Third – Jordan Vaisman N. Teodosio Silva – Gracie Barra

Third – Christopher Duyquan Tran – Team Lloyd Irvin

PURPLE / Adult / Male / Light Feather

First – Jose Daniel Cadavid – Atos Jiu-Jitsu

Second – Jonata Gomes Ramos – CheckMat

Third – Maxim Ruvinsky – CheckMat

Third – Ygor dos Santos Rodrigues – Equipe Marcio Rodrigues

PURPLE / Adult / Male / Feather

First – Paulo Gabriel Martins da Costa – Brasa CTA

Second – Gabriel Alves Figueiró – Alliance

Third – Jose Manuel Mazariegos-Perez – Alliance JJ

Third – Guilherme G. Borges O. da Rocha – Gracie Barra

PURPLE / Adult / Male / Light

First – Andre Nascimento dos Santos Gois – Alliance International

Second – Gustavo Khouri Maron – Alliance International

Third – Daniel Augustus Sirica Speirn – Ralph Gracie

Third – Angelo Guerrero-Barden – Atos Jiu-Jitsu

PURPLE / Adult / Male / Middle

First – Leonardo Teixeira Lara – Ryan Gracie Team

Second – Jake Michael Watson – Power MMA

Third – Rehan Muttalib – Alliance

Third – Lucas Wilhan – Gracie Barra

PURPLE / Adult / Male / Medium Heavy

First – Devhonte M. Johnson – Unity Jiu-Jitsu

Second – Gabriel Salles Muniz Almeida – CheckMat

Third – Andre Liberal A. de Almeida – Gracie Barra

Third – Kaniela Kaanoi Kahuanui – Brasa CTA

PURPLE / Adult / Male / Heavy

First – Eric Moscon Schlosser – Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu

Second – Vinicius Ferreira Gazola – Alliance

Third – Gustavo Espindola Batista – Ns Brotherhood

Third – Felipe Rocha – Alliance

PURPLE / Adult / Male / Super Heavy

First – Renato dos Santos Tagliari – Brasa CTA

Second – Ryan Walsh – Brasa CTA

Third – Josh Guerra – GD Jiu-Jitsu Association

Third – Rafael Cabral Message – Drill BJJ

PURPLE / Adult / Male / Ultra Heavy

First – Jordan Taghvai – Dustin Akbari BJJ

Second – nader maghribi – Cascao Jiu-Jitsu

Third – ej mecklenburg – Yamasaki Academy

Third – javier zapata – AMBJJ

PURPLE / Adult / Male / Open Class

First – Vinicius Ferreira Gazola – Alliance

Second – Gustavo Espindola Batista – Ns Brotherhood

Third – Paulo Gabriel Martins da Costa – Brasa CTA

Third – Rafael Cabral Message – Drill BJJ

Click here to see the full results.

Day 3 of the 2016 European championship was all filled with the master blue and purple belt divisions.

For almost 12 hours, athletes over 30 years old gave their all on the mats to see who would come out on top.

At the end of the day, all champions were crowned in another awesome display of technique and love for the gentle art.

Click here for the partial results after three days of actions.

Day 4 kicks off this Saturday at 9AM and the highlight will be the male and female black belt open class divisions.

Both start at 2:30PM.

Follow the complete coverage at GRACIEMAG on Instagram.

Here is a photo gallery with some of the best images of this Friday in Lisbon.

Coverage brought to you by Gameness.

Gustavo Batista

Day 2 of the 2016 European championship was all devoted to blue belts and purple belts.

The highlight was the open class division both for men and women.

In the blue belt, Brazilian team PSLPB Cicero Costha closed out the male division with André Porfírio and Francisco Andrade.

After finishing Mebtouch Reda with a foot lock in the semifinal, André got the gold medal.

In the female division, another close out, now between NS Brotherhood teammates Izadora Silva and Amanda da Silva.

Izadora took the title home.

In the purple belt, Natalia Zumba recovered from a second place in the lightweight division to win the open class in great fashion.

She finished Jesmine Latrach with a foot lock for the gold medal.

Kennedy Alencar

In the male division, Gustavo Batista repeated the gold double campaign he had in Lisbon as a blue belt in 2015.

First he won the heavyweight division and then won three more matches to conquer the open class.

He finished Pete O with an ezequiel choke for the gold medal.

Click here for the partial results after day 2.

Another standout of the day was Rubens Cobrinha’s son, Kennedy Maciel.

With four outstanding performances, he conquered the light-featherweight division finishing three opponents.

Here is a photo gallery of day 2.

Coverage offered by Gameness.

Day 3 kicks off this Friday, at 9AM (Lisbon time).

Click here to follow the complete coverage on Instagram.

Day 1 of the 2016 European championship

The 2016 European championship opened this wednesday, Jan. 20, at the state-of-the-art Pavilhão Multiusos de Odivelas.

White belts and blue belts took to the 10 mats to display their skills and passion for Jiu-Jitsu.

As the newcomers gave their all, Professors like Braulio and Victor Estima, Roger Gracie, among others, coached from the black belt area.

Day 1 spammed for over 10 hours of Jiu-Jitsu before lights out.

Day 2 kicks off at 9AM (Lisbon time) this Thursday.

It will feature the remainder of the adult blue belt divisions and the purple belt division, including the male and female open classes for both belt colors.

For more info, go to ibjjf.org.

Coverage brought to you by Gameness.

Here is a quick photo gallery of day 1.

As he himself likes to say, he has some physical differences, but that’s no reason for him to dream small.

A blue belt at GMA member school Gracie Barra New Mexico, in Albuquerque, Hussey wants to be the first ever amputee to fight in the UFC.

And for that, he trains almost every day.

He is very clear on the importance of the gentle art in his life: “Jiu-Jitsu makes me feel human.”

Click on the image and watch the local news report on his very inspiring story.