On his return to gi-clad combat, André Galvão celebrates gold at Houston Open. Photo by Mike Calimbas.

The lightweight Laurah Hallow owned the absolute purple belt division at the Houston Open, an IBJJF tournament that took place this weekend. In her weight division, however, the Paragon rep came up against an athlete who, as if having technique weren’t enough, is married to and trains with André Galvão, the superstar from team Atos who you can see below against team Lloyd Irvin’s James Harbison in the medium heavyweight semifinal.

Now check out Angélica Galvão against Laurah Hallock in the lightweight final; learn from both of them and let us know: what to you is the best part of matches between girls? What do you learn from them?

No seu bom retorno ao pano, André Galvão celebra o ouro no Houston Open de Jiu-Jitsu. Foto por Mike Calimbas.

A peso leve Laurah Hallock foi a dona do absoluto roxa no Houston Open, torneio da IBJJF realizado neste fim de semana. Na categoria de peso, no entanto, a lutadora da Paragon deparou-se na final com uma atleta que, não bastasse a técnica, ainda treina com o maridão André Galvão, superastro da Atos que você vê em ação abaixo, contra James Harbison (Lloyd Irvin), na semifinal dos meio-pesados.

Agora confira Angélica Galvão contra Laurah Hallock, na final peso leve, aprenda com ambas e comente com a gente: o que você gosta mais nas lutas femininas? O que você aprende com elas?

Trans when he won the European Open. Photo: Ivan Trindade.

The grand champion brown belt of the 2011 Pan was Alexander Trans. The CheckMat whiz took first at ultraheavyweight and open weight. Trans has been on a roll this season, having won his weight group and the absolute at the European Championship as well.

Also among the competition’s standouts are Alliance duo Jonathan Thomas and Michel Langhi, who closed out the featherweight division.

At lightweight, Roberto Satoshi carries on reaping great results, beating the hard-nosed Thiago Gaia in the final.

James Harbison won the middleweight final against Alex Baulding, one of the favorites.

Other brown belt champions were Jeff Bourgeois, at roosterweight; Mark Ramos, at light featherweight; Daniel O’Brien, at medium heavyweight; and James Puopolo, at heavyweight.

Click here for the complete results from the competition.

And head over to the GRACIEMAG at the Pan Blog for more detailed coverage.

Trans quando venceu no Europeu. Foto: Ivan Trindade.

Na faixa-marrom, o grande campeão no Pan 2011 foi Alexander Trans. A fera da CheckMat ficou em primeiro no pesadíssimo e no absoluto. Trans vem mandando bem na temporada, tendo sido campeão peso e absoluto também no Europeu.

Também entre os destaques na competição, a dupla da Alliance Jonothan Thomas e Michel Langhi fecharam no peso pena.

No leve, Roberto Satoshi segue com grandes resultados, tendo batido a pedreira Thiago Gaia na final.

James Harbison, no médio, venceu a final contra Alec Baulding, um dos favoritos.

Outros campeões na faixa-marrom foram Jeff Bourgeois, no galo; Mark Ramos, no pluma; Daniel O’Brien, no meio-pesado; e James Puopolo, no pesado.

Para conferir os resultados completos da competição, clique aqui.

Já a cobertura completa está no Blog Graciemag no Pan de Jiu-Jitsu.

Up until now, black belts like Marcelino Freitas, Josef Manuel, Emerson Souza, Ryan Hall, James Harbison, Gustavo Carpio and Rodrigo Teixeira, João Cunha, Steve Kim, Carlos Rodriguez, Kevin Landry, Julio Cruz and Carlos Terrinha have all guaranteed their places in the IBJJF competition.

What about you? Don’t miss the chance to fight in Manhattan; sign up here.

For further information, visit IBJJF.org.