Orlando Sanchez and Gregor Gracie square off in the black belt adult absolute final at 2013 IBJJF Chicago Winter Open / Photo by Erin Herle

On Saturday, March 9, Orlando Sanchez stepped on the competition mats for the first time since receiving his black belt from Ze Radiola. The Gracie Barra ultra heavyweight had no one in his weight division at the 2013 IBJJF Chicago Winter Open so he entered the open class to see how he would fair. His first two matches were won by points against Nicholas Albin and Leonardo Correa.

On the other side of the bracket, Gregor Gracie of Renzo Gracie NYC is showing more and more in the gi vs. the MMA gloves. While he teaches nearly every day at the Renzo Gracie headquarters in Manhattan, N.Y., he only trains in the gi a portion of the time he’s wearing it. His time is mostly spent gearing up for his MMA career. His showing at the Boston Winter Open the weekend previous left him wanting more gi competition as he was able to submit Abmar Barbosa but came up short against DJ Jackson in the final of the black belt adult medium-heavy division. This time he conquered his weight division in Chicago and defeated his first two matches in the absolute against Jacob Mackenzie and Rodrigo Freitas. In regards to his time here on the mats he says, “My heart is here on the mats but from a professional standpoint, my career is in MMA.”

The final of the black belt adult absolute division led up to a match full of sweep and submissions attempts and a solid pressure game mixed in with some takedown attempts. See it here:

Chicago Winter Open / Photo: Olu Akintorin

The second installment of the annual Chicago Winter Open heated things up in the chilly American state of Illinois this Saturday.

At black belt, two of the biggest standouts came from Brasa, the team to win the tournament in the overall point tally. Jonatas Novaes won the superheavyweight division upon defeating Adem Redzovic of Gracie Barra. And Novaes did it again in the absolute, snatching gold after outdoing lightweight champion Zachary Clint Lenon of ATT.

In the master contest, two-time absolute world champion Rodrigo Comprido too took top spot in two categories for Brasa, winning the ultraheavyweight division and the absolute.

Also at black belt, but in the senior division, our GMA Renato Tavares took number-one honors, winning the featherweight division and the absolute.

In the team contest, besides number-one Brasa Warrior International, second place went to Carlson Gracie team and third to Gracie Barra.

Check out the complete results at the IBJJF website by clicking here.

Palco do Chicago Winter em Illinois. Foto: IBJJF.

A segunda edição do Chicago Winter Open esquentou o inverno americano em Illinois, neste sábado.

Na faixa-preta, dois dos grandes destaques foram da academia Brasa, o time campeão em pontos. Jonatas Novaes venceu no superpesado ao derrotar Adem Redzovic, da Gracie Barra. No absoluto, Novaes também garantiu o ouro após bater Zachary Clint Lenon (ATT), campeão da categoria leve.

No master, o bicampeão mundial absoluto Rodrigo Comprido também ficou no topo do pódio para a Brasa em duas categorias, no pesadíssimo e no absoluto.

Também na faixa-preta, mas no sênior, o nosso GMA Renatinho Tavares foi o grande campeão, com o ouro no peso pena e no aberto.

Entre as academias, além da campeã Brasa Warrior International, foram bem a Carlson Gracie, no segundo posto, e a Gracie Barra, em terceiro.

Confira todos os resultados do evento da IBJJF clicando aqui.

Brazil 021 is almost ready to step on the mats of the 2012 Chicago Winter Open.

“We will have 16 athletes competing, and they will be the talk of the town,” says André

Terêncio has prepared a video with highlights of his students from previous competitions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmxEvvKSbVI

For more info, go to brazil021.com

In the wake of the European Open's success, the IBJJF returns to holding Jiu-Jitsu championships in the USA. Photo: Kuba Sawicki/MANTO.

Parents, professors and practitioners, it’s almost time to test your Jiu-Jitsu and have some safe, clean fun at the next IBJJF tournaments on the calendar. This weekend, things will be going off in Texas at the Houston Open, where the likes of ADCC double champ André Galvão and others will be putting in appearances.

After that, the invite is open for competitors to head west for the February 19 Pan Kids, to let the little ones have their fun at a one-of-a-kind Jiu-Jitsu party. A rare and instructive celebration, or as Professor Léo Vieira puts it, “There’s plenty to learn in watching the kids rolling, because their moves come so naturally.”

For anyone wanting to participate or get a glimpse of Jiu-Jitsu’s future, the Pan Kids will go down at University of California, Dominguez Hills campus, and the sign-up deadline is already upon us—today is the last day.  Sign up here.

JIU-JITSU TO WARM UP CHICAGO WINTER

The newest championship to grace California is the San Francisco Open, although it will be held in Oakland, on the 26th. Among those signed up thus far, there’s young black belt James Puopolo (Lovato), as well as two masters you should be familiar with from GRACIEMAG.com: Professors Kurt Osiander and João Cunha, who will be competing in the senior division.

Click here now to sign up and still get the discount rate.

Another tourney that’s still open for registration is the Chicago Winter Open, coming March 3. Make haste and sign up now to help put your school at the top of the podium and make it onto the cover of GRACIEMAG. Click here to register.

Após o sucesso do Europeu, a IBJJF volta seu trabalho para os campeonatos de Jiu-Jitsu nos EUA. Foto: Kuba Sawicki/MANTO.

Pais, professores e praticantes, está chegando a hora de testar seu Jiu-Jitsu e se divertir com segurança nos campeonatos da IBJJF. Neste fim de semana, o bicho pega no Houston Open, com a presença de André Galvão e muitos outros.

Depois, o convite é para os competidores rumarem a Oeste, onde no dia 19 de fevereiro o Pan Kids recebe os pequerruchos para uma festa inigualável do Jiu-Jitsu. Celebração rara e instrutiva, pois como costuma dizer o professor Léo Vieira, “dá para aprender muito vendo as crianças rolando, porque elas tentam a movimentação natural”.

Para quem quer participar e observar o futuro do Jiu-Jitsu, o Pan Kids é no campus de Dominguez Hills, e a inscrição vai somente até hoje, sexta-feira. Clique aqui.

Jiu-Jitsu para esquentar o inverno em Chicago

O novo campeonato na Califa é o San Francisco Open, no dia 26 em Oakland. Entre os inscritos, o jovem faixa-preta James Puopolo (Lovato) e dois mestres conhecidos de quem lê o GRACIEMAG.com: os professores Kurt Osiander e João Cunha, entre os sêniors.

Clique aqui e se inscreva já, para pegar o preço promocional.

Outro campeonato com as inscrições abertas é o Chicago Winter Open, dia 3 de março. Não perca tempo e inscreva-se para levar sua escola para o lugar mais alto do pódio e de quebra aparecer no GRACIEMAG. Clique aqui e registre-se.

Gustavo in photo by Felipe Pires

The passing of a law in the Illinois throws a major wrench into the holding of competitions in the American state. As Rodrigo Comprido reported to GRACIEMAG.com, the law equates Jiu-Jitsu to MMA, meaning the sport will be regulated by the local Boxing Commission.

Among the news resolutions, according to the fighter, all competitors will have to undergo blood tests, which makes the logistics all the more difficult, considering how upwards of a thousand athletes may sign up for a single competition.

Comprido also mentioned that the Chicago Open, the biggest 100% gentle art rules event in the state, may me canceled. Addressing the issue, the IBJJF, the governing body that puts together the tournament, announced its official position this Monday:

“In light of Illinois state law 1490, from May 31, 2011, the IBJJF will seek to conform to the new regulations. The date and location for the event will be announced as soon as possible,” says the International Federation website.

The maiden Chicago International Open event was held in 2010, with Rodrigo “Comprido” Medeiros becoming the tournament’s first absolute champion. This year saw a winter edition of the Chicago Open. Among the champions were Samuel Braga, Philipe Della Monica, Davi Ramos, Rodrigo Medeiros, Rodrigo Comprido and Gustavo Pires. No date has been set for the next installment.

There’s a sort of petition going around on Facebook to pressure lawmakers to negotiate on the new law. Click here.

Gustavo, em foto de Felipe Pires.

A aprovação de uma lei em Illinois dificulta, e muito, a realização de competições Jiu-Jitsu no estado americano. Segundo informou Rodrigo Comprido ao GRACIEMAG.com, com esta lei o Jiu-Jitsu se equivale ao MMA. O esporte passa a se submeter à Comissão Atlética de Boxe local.

Entre as novas resoluções, segundo o lutador, todos os atletas passariam, por exemplo, a fazer exame de sangue obrigatório, logística difícil em eventos que podem ultrapassar mil inscritos.

Comprido também comentou o possível cancelamento do Chicago Open, maior evento 100% nas regras da arte suave no estado. Sobre isso, a IBJJF, entidade que organiza a competição, passou a sua posição oficial nesta segunda-feira:

“Em vista à lei 1490 do estado de Illinois, de 31 de maio de 2011, a IBJJF procura se adequar à nova regulamentação. A data e local do evento vão ser anunciados assim que possível”, diz o site da Federação Internacional.

O Chicago International Open teve sua primeira edição em 2010 e contou com Rodrigo Medeiros, o Comprido, como campeão do absoluto. Neste ano, houve a edição de inverno do Chicago Open. Entre os campeões, feras como Samuel Braga, Philipe Della Monica, Davi Ramos, Rodrigo Comprido e Gustavo Pires. A próxima edição do torneio agora segue sem data definida.

Existe uma espécie de abaixo assinado no Facebook para dar alguma pressão na negociação com os deputados sobre a lei. Clique aqui.

Davi Ramos in photo by Carlos Ozório

The Chicago International Winter Open, the maiden event of which was held this Saturday, is yet another event helping the IBJJF in its mission of spreading the gentle art around the world. Among the standouts from this inaugural editions is Davi Ramos, a black belt from Rio de Janeiro’s Top Brother academy who usually competes alongside the folks from Atos.

“I competed at middleweight. In my first match I swept, passed guard, and finished with an armbar. In the final I beat Clark Gracie by submission, also by armbar,” recounts Davi.

And the fighter also stuck his neck out in the open weight division, where he took silver, losing the decider to Gustavo Pires.

“I took second in the absolute. I’m going through a good phase early this year. First I won my division and the absolute at Naga, in Atlanta, and this time I had a solid campaign in Chicago,” he remarks.

“And now I’m heading to San Diego to sharpen up my holds with Gilbert Durinho, Guto Campos, Rafael and Guilherme Mendes, as well as all the others from team Atos. We’re going to train real hard for the Pan, the World Pro, Brazilian Nationals and the Worlds,” he adds.

Stay tuned to GRACIEMAG.com for all the latest in Jiu-Jitsu.

Davi Ramos em foto de Carlos Ozório.

O Chicago International Winter Open, que estreou neste sábado, é mais um evento que ajuda a IBJJF na missão de difundir a arte suave pelo mundo. Entre os destaques desta primeira edição está Davi Ramos, faixa-preta da Top Brother, no Rio, que costuma competir ao lado do pessoal da Atos.

“Lutei de médio. Na primeira luta raspei, passei a guarda e finalizei com um armlock. Na final ganhei do Clark Gracie por finalização, também com um armlock.”, conta Davi.

E o lutador também se arriscou na categoria aberta, onde ficou com a prata, batido na decisão por Gustavo Pires.

“Fiquei em segundo no absoluto. Esse  início de ano estou em boa  fase. Primeiro venci categoria e absoluto no Naga, em Atlanta, e dessa vez tive essa boa campanha em Chicago”, comenta.

“E agora vou rumo a San Diego para ajustar as pegadas com o Gilbert Durinho, Guto Campos, Rafael e Guilherme Mendes, além de todo o  pessoal da equipe Atos. Vamos treinar forte para o Pan, World Pro, Brasileiro e Mundial”, completa.

Fique ligado no GRACIEMAG.com para saber mais sobre Jiu-Jitsu.

André and team in Houston / Photo: personal archive

One of the leaders of Brazil 021, André Terencio, or better known in the Jiu-Jitsu world as André Negão, is celebrating the solid performance from his students at the Houston International Open. His team is also confirmed at the next of the so-called Open events, which will take place this weekend in Chicago.

“Whenever we can, we take our students to Chicago for the events the IBJJF puts on. On February 12 and 13 we went to Houston with five athletes from Chicago and we brought back five medals (three bronze, one silver and one gold)! Some partners of ours, from Brazil 021 Houston (Professor Marcos Cerqueira), also placed. It was a really high-level event,” remarks the black belt.

“This weekend, we’re taking nineteen athletes and we hope to repeat the achievement from Houston, with everyone making it onto the podium. We had an eight-week camp and we hope to put on a good show. I feel it’s really important that Chicago be a part of the IBJJF calendar; that way it will be a reference for the style in the USA, as is the case with California and Texas,” he remarks.

“What I always hear from the folks is, ‘Teach, you were right, once you compete at an IBJJF event, you never see the other competitions the same, since everything works. I can take my kids to watch me compete, since I know I’ll be called up on time. Besides that, they’re totally family-oriented events,’” he says in closing.

And stay tuned to GRACIEMAG.com for all the latest on the Chicago Winter Open.

André e a equipe em Houston. Foto: Arquivo Pessoal.

Um dos comandantes da Brazil 021, André Terencio, mais conhecido no mundo do Jiu-Jitsu como André Negão, festeja o desempenho dos seus alunos no Houston International Open. Sua equipe está confirmada também em mais uma edição dos chamados eventos Open, que acontece neste fim de semana, em Chicago.

“Sempre que podemos, levamos nossos alunos de Chicago para os eventos que a IBJJF promove. Nos dias 12 e 13 de fevereiro fomos até Houston com cinco atletas de Chicago e trouxemos para casa cinco medalhas (três bronzes, uma prata e um ouro)! Outros parceiros nossos, da Brazil 021 Houston (professor Marcos Cerqueira), também medalharam. Foi um evento de altíssimo nível!”, comenta o faixa-preta.

Agora, André prepara seus alunos para o Chicago Winter International Open.

“Neste final de semana, vamos com 19 atletas e esperamos repetir o feito de Houston, com todos os atletas no pódio. Fizemos um camp de oito semanas e esperamos ter uma boa apresentação. Acho muito importante Chicago fazer agora parte do calendário da IBJJF, pois assim se tornará uma referência na modalidade nos EUA, como acontece na Califórnia e Texas”, comenta.

Para André, o mais importante é a satisfação dos alunos.

“O que escuto sempre do pessoal é: ‘Professor, o senhor tinha razão. Uma vez lutando os eventos da IBJJF, não vemos as outras competições com os mesmos olhos, pois nela tudo funciona. Posso levar meus filhos para assistir minha lutas, pois sei que serei chamado na hora. Além disso, é um evento totalmente familiar”, encerra.

E fique ligado no GRACIEMAG.com para saber as últimas notícias do Chicago Winter Open.