Gustavo Pires is the black belt champ. Photo: IBJJF

At the Chicago State University the 2014 IBJJF Chicago Spring Open held its first day on March 29 for the gi divisions from blue to black. White belt gi divisions and all no-gi divisions will be held tomorrow.

Christian Uflacker in the super-heavy division. Photo: IBJJF

The big winner at black belt was Gustavo Pires of Gracie Barra who took gold in his heavyweight division as well as the open weight division. Other Gracie Barra winners took gold at black belt including Philipe Della Monica at lightweight and and AJ Agazarm at middleweight. Christian Uflacker of GMA Uflacker Academy, a local to Chicago, took home the gold in the super-heavyweight division.

At brown belt, middleweight David Garmo of Caique Jiu-Jitsu conquered the open weight division with Inacio Neto taking second after achieving gold in the medium-heavyweight division.

Horlando Monteiro won double gold. Photo: IBJJF

Purple belt female Kristen Mikkelson of GMA Brazil 021 won double gold with a match in her lightweight division and winning all of her matches in the open weight division. Male purple belt Edwin Najmi of GMA Gracie Barra Northridge won the adult lightweight division and Horlando Monteiro of Nova Uniao won the middleweight division and the purple belt open weight division.

In the teams competition the results were:

Gi

1 – Carlson Gracie Team – 259
2 – Brasa – 253
3 – Gracie Barra – 166

No-Gi

1 – Brasa – 170
2 – Gracie Barra – 105
3 – Carlson Gracie Team – 60

Check out the full results of day one here.

Check out the full results of day two here

See a full album of photos here.
See Gustavo Pires vs. Sada Kurimori in the heavyweight final:

The 2013 Chicago Fall Open ends the year for IBJJF tournaments in Chicago with its fourth championship to date this year. On Saturday, Oct. 12 the gi tournament will be held a Chicago State University starting at 9:30 a.m. with adult male blue belts.

To see the schedule, click here.

The bracket consists of black belts Philipe Della Monica, Rodrigo Medeiros, Sean Bansfield and other members from GMA academies such as Renato Tavares Association, Team Redzovic, Brazil 021 School of Jiu-Jitsu, Uflacker Academy and more.

To see the full list of competitors, click here.

Philipe Della Monica takes the back at the 2013 IBJJF Chicago Winter Open. Photo: Erin Herle

Gearing up for its fourth edition in Chi-Town, the IBJJF has scheduled the 2013 Chicago Fall International Open for Saturday, Oct.12.

The venue is once again at the Chicago State University: 9501 South King Drive, Chicago, IL 60628.

Registration is extended until Sunday, Oct. 6 or until capacity is reached. Make sure to register before making confirmed travel arrangements.

Already signed up are athletes from all over representing Ecuador, England, California, Texas, Georgia, Missouri, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Illinois and more.

Don’t miss the chance to claim an international IBJJF gold medal before the year is up.

To register, go to www.ibjjf.org

Check out Philipe Della Monica vs. Rafael Costa at the 2013 Chicago Winter Open earlier this year:

Chicago Winter Open black belt no-gi absolute final goes to Orlando Sanchez after a Gracie Barra gentleman’s agreement with Philipe Della Monica. Photo: Erin Herle

The IBJJF Chicago Summer Open is one of the only IBJJF city tournaments that offers no-gi divisions– which is why you should capitalize on that now.

With no-gi season among us and the No-Gi Pan American Championship shrimping closer (next month!) you should get in as much experience as you can on August 17-18 in Chicago.

In March, we saw the division on a Sunday in Chicago as the IBJJF Chicago Winter Open offered such experience. Black belts Orlando Sanchez, Philipe Della Monica and Leonardo D’Avila to name a few. Already signed up for the no-gi Summer Open black belt division is Denny Prokopos of 10th Planet, Philipe Della Monica once again, Vitor Henrique Oliveira, Oliver Geddes, GMA member Leonardo Iturralde and more.

The event will be held at Chicago State University: 9501 South King Drive, Chicago, IL 60628

Don’t miss out on the no-gi division by registering at www.IBJJF.org