Dominyka Obelenyte

In a sea of Brazilians, a little more than a handful of American black belts have written their names in world championship history. The competition was always very hard, but they have strived to be among the best. Here’s a brief reminder of how they got to the top.

BJ Penn

The Prodigy’s story at the Worlds started really in 1998, when a certain Jay Penn finished second in the blue belt featherweight division. As a matter of fact, that year, the spotlight was directed to BJ’s brother, Reagan, who won six matches and conquered the lightweight division of the blue belt. Two years later, already a black belt and now part of Nova União, BJ made history when he became the first American to win an adult male black belt division at the Worlds. in the final, he beat Edson Diniz 5-0 with a sweep and a guard pass. It would take five years for another American to repeat Penn’s accomplishment.

Robert Drysdale

Born in Provo, Utah, in 1981, Drysdale moved to his mother’s home country of Brazil when he was just six years old. It is true that Drysdale did all his training in Brazil since he was 17, but that does not erase the fact that he is a natural born American. In 2005, he became the second man born in the USA to win a gold medal at the adult black belt division of the Worlds. he won the heavyweight division after a final against Fernando Marques. Drysdale went on to have one of the most accomplished careers in history.

Rafael Lovato Jr.

Lovato became the third American man to win a black belt division at the Worlds when he beat Luiz Theodoro in the ultra-heavyweight final in 2007. A black belt under the Ribeiro brothers, Lovato is also a No-Gi world champion, among several other accolades. He is also the only male American to hold a gold medal in the black belt division of the Worlds after the championship moved to California.

Lana Stefanac

The first non-Brazilian athlete to win a gold medal in the adult black belt open class division of the Worlds was brown belt Lana Stefanac. In 2009, at 33 years old, she won both the heavyweight division and the absolute. On her way to the groundbreaking open class gold, she beat Gabi Garcia in the semifinal and then Kyra Gracie in the final. It would take another six years for a non-Brazilian to repeat Lana’s accomplishment.

Hillary Williams

Hillary went all in in her Jiu-Jitsu journey. Just to learn the techniques and become one of the best competitors of her generation was not enough. She decided to learn the language most Jiu-Jitsu practitioners speak, so she self taught herself to speak Portuguese. Then, she travelled to Brazil and trained at a bunch of different academies and competed in different events. She learned the rules so well, she became one of the first female referees in the IBJJF roster. In 2010, still a brown belt, she rose to the occasion and won the middleweight division at the Worlds, after a tought battle against Caroline De Lazzer. Soon after she got her black belt and then withdrew from competitions to go after a Medical Degree, which she got in 2015.

Keenan Cornelius

Keenan first made the headlines in 2013, when he won double gold at the Jiu-Jitsu grand slam (European, Pan, Brazilian Nationals and Worlds), conquering his weight division and the open class in all four events as a purple belt. Known for his highly inventive style, Cornelius kept rising to the status of superstar within the Jiu-Jitsu community with solid results all throughout the brown belt division, even after a tumultuous move from Team lloyd Irvin to Atos JJ. As a black belt, Keenan is still looking for his first gold medal at the Worlds, but he already has the title of first non-Brazilian ever to place in the open class podium, with a third place in 2014. Still young, at 24, who can say what he can achieve.

Mackenzie Dern

At first, she was the daughter of the famous Wellignton Megaton, the only black belt to compete in all editions of the Worlds. With time, her results shifted that title and today Megaton is widely know as the father of female superstar, Mackenzie Dern. A world champions in all belts since 2007, as a juvenile blue belt, Mackenzie won her first gold as a black belt in 2015 after choking Michelle Nicolini. It was exactly the year her father celebrated his 20th appearance at the Worlds. She still after the open class gold medal, a really tough mountain to climb as a featherweight, but there’s no doubt she will continue trying.

Dominyka Obelenyte

Ok, she was technically born in Lithuania, but came to America when she was only 6. Dominyka did all her training in the USA, so we’ll consider her an American talent in BJJ. Just like Mackenzie, she made her first podium appearance at the Worlds as a juvenile. As a matter of fact, they were in the same lightweight division in 2008, as blue belts, and mackenzie won that final. Then, in 2010, she won the blue belt lightweight divison and hasn’t stopped since. In 2011, she finished second in the middleweight and won the purple belt open class. Two years later, she was the brown belt medium-heavy champion. In 2014 she won the heavyweight division still as a brown belt and finished second to Monique Elias in the open class. The big moment came in 2015, at 19, Dominyka had an outstanding campaign to win double gold in the heavyweight and have her revenge against Monique in the open class.

Will Americans write another chapter of their story at the 2016 Worlds?

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Gianni Grippo at the 2012 No-Gi Pan Ams. Photo: Mike Calimbas

The ADCC continues to invite athletes to fill the spots of its five male and two female categories for the October 19-20 event in Beijing, China. Many athletes have come forward to show interest in earning such an invitation to the prestigious event and some have even succeeded in their endeavors. Names such as Jonathan JT Torres, Lucas Leite, Justin Rader, Hannette Staack (although she gave way for Ida Hansson instead).

Already on the list are the current champions, trial winners, legends, UFC fighters and more. Some participants in the mix are not black belts such as Darson Hemmings, Keenan Cornelius, Garry Tonon to name a few who won the trials. Laura Hondorp is even a purple belt but that isn’t a new sight considering Hillary Williams was invited as a purple belt in 2009 and placed third in the 60 kg division. As far as invitations, Marcio Andre placed second at the Brazil trial and was given a shot as a brown belt anyway.

Another active and hungry brown belt competitor who believes he deserves an invitation is Gianni Grippo, a brown belt under Marcelo Garcia in New York City. A six-time world champion, two of them in no-gi, the 21-year-old feels he has what it takes to put up a fight in the ADCC 66 kg division. He spoke with GRACIEMAG about his expectations, accomplishments and hopes of earning an invitation to the 2013 ADCC:

GRACIEMAG: ADCC invites those who they believe have enough skill to make it to the final. What division would you be asking to enter and based on who is in that division already, what makes you believe that you can go all the way?

GIANNI GRIPPO: If I were to be invited to ADCC I’d be looking to compete in the -66kg weight class. I believe that I can go all the way in this weight class because I believe in my game and in my desire to win. I train and drill constantly for events and opportunities like these and I know I wouldn’t pass this opportunity up. Whatever I go into I always give my 100%.

Have you been in ADCC before? What were your results? What has changed since the last time you were there?

I have not been to ADCC before nor have I done the trials in the past. I was always unable to because another goal of mine this year was to win the IBJJF World championships, and add that along with still dealing with school, the dates of the trials in the United States never matched up well for me. So if I do get the opportunity to compete, it will be my first go-around.

If they had an invite for you but in a weight class different than what you normally fight, would you still accept?

Of course, since I was a kid I dreamed of myself competing at the ADCC. In 2007 I went to watch the ADCC with my dad when it was in New Jersey and it was the greatest showcase of grappling I had ever seen! From that point on I knew I wanted to be a part of that event someday and prove myself as one of the best against the best in the world.

What accomplishments in no-gi do you have that could prove your skill?

Although I haven’t been to ADCC yet, my no-gi results have been pretty solid so far. I have medaled at every No-Gi World Championship I have entered and have won in both 2007 and 2010. Also I have been to the No-Gi Pan American Championship every year since the IBJJF started it in New York in 2008 and only once in its 5 year history did I not see gold. In 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2012 I took gold while in 2011 I took silver.

If you chose the qualifications for an ADCC invite, what do you think would be necessary for all participants?

What I believe are good qualifications for this event is someone that is well-rounded both on the mats and off. On the mat, I believe that it is important that the competitor is able to possess an exciting, attacking style while off the mat they must be a good ambassador of the sport upholding the event’s name with a positive and humble attitude. I never believe that there is the need for bad mouthers or disrespectful competitors in such an upscale event. Also having good credentials with numerous big wins under your belt should be taken into consideration as well, certainly.

The committee also looks into those who have backgrounds in other martial art disciplines. Are you working on or do you have experience in other fields like Judo, Wrestling, Sambo, etc?

Besides training Jiu-Jitsu for ten years, I also trained in wrestling as cross-training for numerous years. If it weren’t for Jiu-Jitsu I would have been pursuing the sport of wrestling today.

They also believe that having people from different nationalities allows for better development of the sport around the world. What other nationalities besides American do you represent?

Besides being American, I can also represent the Italian, German and Irish nationalities.

Antonio Braga Neto sinks a triangle at the 2011 South American Championship. Photo by Ivan Trindade/GRACIEMAG.com.

Have you hit up the newsstand or bookstore to get up to speed on your triangle studies yet? The latest issue of GRACIEMAG is there waiting for you, packed with an unbelievable variety of tricks and variations on the move.

To remind our readers of the triangle’s importance, GRACIEMAG.com is following suit and serving up 5 triangles with which to enrich your arsenal. Test them out at training today, and let us know how it went afterwards.

1. Jason Scully and surprise triangle that works at World Championships

2. Professor Magoo teaches basic triangle

3. Bráulio Estima teaches how to use lapel to squeeze out triangle

4. Renzo Gracie teaches finish for when opponent defends triangle

5. Hillary Williams teaches basic details for squeezing out triangle

Antonio Braga Neto encaixa o triângulo no Sul-Americano em 2011. Foto: Ivan Trindade / GRACIEMAG.com

Você já foi até as bancas e livrarias estudar os conceitos do triângulo? A GRACIEMAG está esperando por você por lá, com macetes e variações incríveis do golpe.

Para lembrar o leitor da importância do triângulo, o GRACIEMAG.com faz eco e traz 5 triângulos para enriquecer seu arsenal. Teste hoje mesmo nos treinos, e depois comente se funcionou.

1. Jason Scully e o triângulo surpresa que funciona em Mundiais

2. Professor Magoo ensina o triângulo básico

3. Bráulio Estima ensina a usar lapela para arrochar o triângulo

4. Renzo Gracie ensina a finalizar quando o rival defende o triângulo

5. Hillary Williams ensina detalhes básicos para arrochar o triângulo

Hoje, Hillary Williams completa a aula sobre triângulo, com detalhes bacanas.

Um pouco mais abaixo, a juíza da IBJJF aproveita e explica os comandos em português para os lutadores entenderem. Confira.

Today, Hillary Williams takes you through another lesson on the triangle, with some cool details.

A little further down, the IBJJF ref takes the chance to explain commands in Portuguese so fighters will understand. Check it out:

The reasons for this? The future doctor’s studies are getting intense at university, so competitions will be left aside altogether. “I’m in love with medicine. We’re getting deep into cases, anatomy, and next month we’ll be dissecting cadavers. I’m loving it!” says Hillary, who studies from 9am to 10pm at night but still trains during the week. “I miss competitions, the atmosphere, the people, but there’s no way around it. I’ll try and referee or stop by some nearby tournaments to quell my longing for it.”

A native of the American state of Arkansas, Hillary tuned in to UFC Rio last weekend and was as excited as a Brazilian: “Minotauro made me so happy; it’s great to see a legend put on such a fine display in his own country. And Anderson is superhuman, he makes me sad! Now I’m thinking I’ll never be badass like him,” says the black belt with a laugh.

We dug up a Youtube video of Hillary, in hopes the doctor won’t abandon competition for good – notice the current absolute world champion dancing to Brazilian funk music in the middle of the street…

Os motivos disso? Os estudos da futura médica estão apertando na faculdade, e as competições agora vão ficar totalmente de lado.”Estou apaixonado de vez pela medicina. Estamos mergulhando nos casos, anatomia, e mês que vem começamos a dissecar cadáveres. Estou amando!”, diz ela, que tem estudado de 9h da manhã até 10h da noite, mas continua treinando durante a semana. “Sinto saudades das competições, do clima, do pessoal, mas não tem jeito. Vou tentar arbitrar ou visitar os próximos torneios só para matar as saudades”.

Americana do Arkansas, Hillary distraiu-se no fim de semana com o UFC Rio, e se emocionou como uma brasileira: “Minotauro fez meu coração feliz demais, é muito bom ver a lenda arrebentar desse jeito no país dele.  E o Anderson não é humano, ele me faz triste! Fico pensando que eu nunca serei sinistra igual a ele!”, ri a faixa-preta.

Pescamos um vídeo de Hillary no YouTube, na esperança de que a doutora não abandone as competições para sempre – repare no atual campeão mundial absoluto tropeçando nos passos de funk, no meio da rua…

They didn’t train, but there was plenty of goodwill between the two submission aces. “What I won’t forget about my match with Hannette was the thrashing I took,” said Hillary, thankful for the “instructive” lesson.

André, Hillary e Hannette, no flagra de Gustavo Aragão.

Não houve treino, mas muita simpatia das duas feras. “O que eu não esqueço da luta contra Hannette foi o amasso que eu tomei”, disse Hillary, agradecendo pela “instrutiva” lição.

André, Hillary e Hannette, no flagra de Gustavo Aragão.

Hillary MD at seminar in Caxias / Photo: personal archive

Hillary Williams is pretty much a Rio de Janeiro native. She complains about the cold, has Jiu-Jitsu skills to spare, and now she’s doing food drives for people in need. At a recent seminar gathering eight black belts in the outlying Caxias region of Rio de Janeiro she collected over 70kg of food for a community institution.

Today she’ll be taking her teaching skills to Petrópolis, where participants will pay the price of 1kg of non-perishable foods. Friday it’s Santa Cruz’s turn.

Information for attending:

Wednesday the 13th
Academia VO2
6pm-8pm
Rua Santos Dumont, 77
Centro, Petrópolis, RJ
Contact:
Academia (24) 2243-1273
Bruninho (24) 8150-4113
Breno Andrade (24) 8855-7427

Friday the 15th
Fundação de Apoio a Escola Técnica – FAETC
11h-13hs
Largo do Bodegão, 46
Santa Cruz, RJ
Contact:
(21) 7801-3220
ID 120*22404
(21) 9449-0440

A dra. Hillary em seminário em Caxias. Foto: Acervo Pessoal.

Hilarry Williams já é quase carioca. Reclama do frio, sabe Jiu-Jitsu pacas e agora arrecada alimentos para o pessoal mais necessitado. Em seminário recente, reuniu oito faixas-pretas em Caxias, e juntou mais de 70kg de alimento para a uma instituição na comunidade.

Hoje, as aulas continuam, em Petrópolis, e o preço é singelo: 1kg de alimento não perecível. Sexta-feira, o seminário é em  Santa Cruz.

Confira as informações:

QUARTA, 13
Academia VO2
18h-20h
Rua Santos Dumont, 77
Centro, Petrópolis, RJ
Contatos:
Academia (24) 2243-1273
Bruninho (24) 8150-4113
Breno Andrade (24) 8855-7427

SEXTA, 15
Fundação de Apoio a Escola Técnica – FAETC
11h-13hs
Largo do Bodegão, 46
Santa Cruz, RJ
Contatos:
(21) 7801-3220
ID 120*22404
(21) 9449-0440