Kristina Barlaan teaching at Seamless Progression Academy

This past weekend Caio Terra black belt Kristina Barlaan taught her first Women’s Jiu-Jitsu as a black belt at GMA school Seamless Progression Academy, in Port Washington, Wisconsin.

Kristina is on the rise and fast becoming one of the best female Jiu-Jitsu fighters in the World.

She is a 4x Pan Jiu-Jitsu Champion, 7x American National Champion, and a ADCC Veteran (Beijing 2013) with dozens of major IBJJF event wins to date.

In attendance were nearly two-dozen female Jiu-Jitsu practitioners from across Wisconsin.

This event brought together fighters from 7 different gyms not in competition but as a community dedicated to improving individual prowess.

Participants from Four Winds Martial Arts (West Allis) – Carlson Gracie Team, Gracie Academy (Milwaukee) – Gracie Academy Team, Legacy Martial Arts (West Bend) – Carlson Gracie Team, Neutral Ground Academy (Grafton) – Neutral Ground Team, One World Martial Arts (Appleton) – Team Curran, Red Schafer MMA (Milwaukee) – Team Pedro Sauer, and Seamless Progression Academy (Port Washington) – Carlson Gracie Team supported the event.

A larger event will be hosted next year to accommodate the interest in Kristina’s return.

The 120 females of the 2nd Bay Area Inspire All-Female Open Mat. Photo: Erin Herle

On Saturday, March 1 the 2nd Inspire Bay Area All-Female Open Mat brought an outstanding number of females together. The leader of such a powerful movement is brown belt Kristina Barlaan of GMA Institute of Martial Arts.

Since returning to her hometown in the Bay Area, she has strengthened the community in a saturated area of women in Jiu-Jitsu with two open mat events so far. The first Inspire was held in September and the capacity was reached at 100. The second event, less than six months later, brought regulars and new faces alike to a cap of 120 participants.

One of the drills had each person jump guard on their partner. Photo: Erin Herle

The Inspire open mats work as a catalyst for females to gain new grounds both as a community and individuals. The hours spent together create lasting bonds and a network for advice, experience and news. Structure for the events include an inspiring speech from Kristina, who teaches, competes and lends a helping hand wherever, a warm-up, techniques to practice, a raffle of many prizes and time to roll with one another.

Women traveled from all ends of Northern California as well as Southern California and Texas. The youngest participant was 13 and the oldest was 68 and 62 academies were represented.

A sneaky choke set-up was taught by Kristina Barlaan with the help of black belt Stephanie Moon. Photo: Erin Herle

To start, each participant was encouraged to pair up with someone they don’t know and the higher ranks sought out the lesser experienced. Kristina situated the group with drills: jumping guard, toreando to knee-on-belly, kimura set-ups, and an ab workout that resembles a synchronized swimming routine. For technique, Kristina showed various ways to set up a choke from closed guard with the help of local black belt Stephanie Moon.

The raffle had prizes from various companies looking to support females in the Jiu-Jitsu community. Photo: Erin Herle

The raffle offered prizes from gis to DVDs to journals to clothing and supplements. Multiple companies and brands gave support to the event and patches were given to all. Black belt Lana Stefanac took over the duties of name drawing and stuck around for the girls to pick her brain during the time set for rolling. The open mat set rounds for all the belts to train with one another and the training lasted for well over an hour.

By the end of the day new friendships were established and the community of females expanded its network.

You can check out photos of the event in a full gallery here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/graciemag/sets/72157642175025124/

Catch the next event by following Inspire on facebook: www.facebook.com/InspireBJJ

100 females on the mat. Photo: Erin Herle

In September, GRACIEMAG headed to San Jose, CA for the first edition of Inspire in the Bay area held by its founder Kristina Barlaan. The event brought together 100 women at GMA Institute of Martial Arts with no males allowed on the mat. Lana Stefanac was present to teach a technique along with other brown and black females who shared the teaching duties. By the end of the session there were raffle prizes and giveaways with each participant leaving with a piece of merchandise.

On Feb. 28, the second edition of Inspire will be held at Evolve Training Center in South San Francisco. Kristina, a brown belt under Caio Terra who competes at the highest level, promotes women to not only get to know the existing women in the martial art community but also to bring in new girls as well.

The cost is free but registration is mandatory and now open until 11:59 p.m. PST on Friday, Feb. 28 or until capacity reaches 100 participants.

To learn more about the event and to register, please go to http://strongvon.com/inspirebayarea2

Kristina Barlaan shows a drill at her Inspire All Female Open Mat in September. Photo: Erin Herle

Starting Nov. 4, brown belt Kristina Barlaan will be teaching classes for females at GMA academy Institute of Martial Arts. The instructors list includes head professor Caio Terra along with Osvaldo “Queixinho” and Samir Chantre. Since moving back to the Bay Area, Kristina has expanded the network of knowledge in San Jose.

Kristina is an active competitor with titles such as Pan American Champion at both blue and brown and has medaled at the World Championship at every belt level. She also runs an open man series called Inspire All Female Open Mat which debuted in the Bay Area last month.

The classes will be held every Monday and Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. Those who sign up for the women’s program will also have access to the fundamentals class Monday – Friday!

Kristina says, “Whether you are new to Jiu-Jitsu or just looking to train with other women, these classes will be fun and challenging for all levels! Ladies, let’s train!”

For more information, please contact Nick@bjjsanjose.com, call IMA at 408-396-3223, or drop by for a visit at 855 Park Ave. San Jose, CA 95126. You can also visit the website at http://www.bjjsanjose.com/

The sign at the front of GMA Institute of Martial Arts says it all. Photo: Erin Herle

The first edition of Inspire All Female Open Mats in the Bay Area gave Jiu-Jitsu women an opportunity to come together and build bonds within the community. Kristina Barlaan brought the event back home with her to Northern California where she now trains at GMA Institute of Martial Arts in San Jose, CA and put together more than just a training session. In her own words, “Inspire is about uplifting others by just simply being who we are.”

Caio Terra was not present on Saturday, September 14 and neither were the other black belt instructors, Samir Chantre and Osvaldo Queixinho. As the sign on the door read, “Ladies on the mat; No men allowed.”

The women flooded into the large academy for the start time at 1 p.m. and changed into their gis which sported patches from different academies and various colors of belts. Four black belts were present along with white belts, yellow, green and orange belts, plenty of blues and purple and browns. One woman borrowed a gi and had her very first Jiu-Jitsu experience which she loved as evident by the huge smile on her face throughout the afternoon.

100 females on the mat. Photo: Erin Herle

The warm-up started off the event and then partners were chosen for drills and technique. Everyone was encouraged to choose a partner from a different academy and different belt level. Kristina explained what she likes to use as the “adopt-a-white-belt” program that helps both new and experienced to learn and grow together. Lana Stefanac took over to teach two variations of her favorite choke from closed guard and the training took a break for a speech.

While the open mat allows for females to train together, the “Inspire” portion of the name comes from Kristina’s own personal story. The speech she gave was a story that she hadn’t shared with many people but felt that needed to be heard as a lesson to always be who you are. From a toxic relationship to personal tragedy, her touching testimony gave insight into a tough and driven female who learned to be confident, independent and strong. Jiu-Jitsu gave her the opportunity, much like many of those on the mat listening to her open up, to become all of those things and more.

Enough supportive companies meant prizes for all to choose from. Photo: Erin Herle

Give-aways and prizes were plenty and each who attended received a gift of their choice among the shirts, supplements, lip balms, stickers, patches, DVDs, bags, hoodies and more splayed out on the mat. A fundraiser for the Susan G Komen 3-day in Arizona raised $200 for the Girls Gone Miles group.

An hour of rolling ensued before the day was over. Kristina’s parents held down the fort in front of the academy for handmade, fresh Brazilian pastries called pastel that were for sale. By the end of the day there were connections made, friendships created, techniques learned and plenty of future plans for more female Jiu-Jitsu get-togethers.

The message of the day was well-received. Vonique Stricklen said, “Thank you Kristina Barlaan for the amazing event you put on today. I definitely felt the Jiu-Jitsu vibe today it shook me.”

To learn about the next Inspire event, like the facebook page and stay informed!

Check out the photos below:

[flickr set=72157635550269445]

The registration is now open for the 1st Annual Inspire All Female Open Mat in the Bay Area. Founder and organizer Kristina Barlaan is bringing her creation from Arizona back to her own roots in Northern California.

The brown belt grew up outside San Francisco and also began her Jiu-Jitsu journey there but later moved to Arizona and only furthered her skills. Now she is an international competitor having won the Pan Ams and entered the Abu Dhabi WPJJC via her trial-winning ticket less than a month later. In October she will be heading to Beijing, China to compete in the prestigious ADCC for which was personally invited.

The Inspire events began in February of 2011 and have grown in size and popularity since the inception into the Jiu-Jitsu community.

“It is the goal of Inspire to continue the growth of women’s Jiu-Jitsu with not only opportunities to train, but to allow women to create camaraderie within the sport, allowing them to learn from each other’s life experiences, successes, and hardships,” Kristina says via their facebook page.

The next event will be the first of its kind and the first beyond the Arizona state lines. It will be held for all females over thirteen years of age on Saturday, September 14 at Caio Terra’s GMA Institute of Martial Arts from 1 to 4 p.m.

The address is 855 Park Ave, San Jose, CA 95126.

The cost is free but registration is still mandatory as no walk-ins will be welcome and space is limited to 60 participants.

The event will hold a Q&A with Kristina as well as a raffle with many prizes from sponsors. All raffle tickets are $5 and will go towards breast cancer research.

To register please click here.

The 2nd Petite Inspire Open Mat in May. Photo: Personal Archive

GMA member Kristina Barlaan of Gustavo Dantas Jiu-Jitsu in Arizona has headed female open mats since her first event in February 2011. The event is called Inspire Open Mat and the next event is coming up soon!

The event has always been held in Arizona and AZ BJJer’s like Mackenzie Dern and Luciana Dias are regulars. This next event to be held on September 14 will be in the bay area at Caio Terra’s GMA Institute of Martial Arts.

Kristina says, “… along with it being an opportunity to help grow the female Jiu-Jitsu community in the Bay Area, I will also be holding a fundraising raffle to raise money for breast cancer research and awareness.”

To be a part of this event please head to the facebook page for updates: www.facebook.com/InspireBJJ

Registration will be open shortly!

Kristina finaliza rumo ao ADCC. Foto: Erin Herle

Haverá um novo rosto na categoria feminina, até 60kg, do ADCC. Kristina Barlaan foi promovida a faixa-marrom em dezembro de 2012 no pódio do Aberto de Outono da IBJJF, após uma bela campanha na roxa. Ela havia ganhado medalhas no Pan e no Mundial, mas outro motivo de orgulho é o seu trabalho de promotora. No estado do Arizona, onde mora com seu noivo Gustavo Dantas, da GD Jiu-Jitsu/Nova União, ela promove torneios chamados de Inspire, que são únicos por admitirem apenas mulheres.

Com apenas seis meses de faixa marrom, seus resultados já impressionam. Kristina ficou em primeiro lugar no Pan-americano e em terceiro no Mundial, entre as pesos-penas, e também participou do Abu Dhabi WPJJC na divisão roxa/marrom/preta, após vencer um qualificatório americano.

Seu convite para o ADCC de Pequim é evidência de sua evolução, já que se trata de um verdadeiro torneio de elite. Sendo ela uma mulher faixa-marrom americana, o convite prova que os organizadores não estão poupando esforços para buscar os mais variados talentos. Confira o que Kristina tem a dizer sobre o convite:

GRACIEMAG: O que esse convite significa para você? Está surpresa?

KRISTINA BARLAAN: Fui contatada pelo faixa-preta Arthur Ruff, que tem muitas escolas aqui pelo Arizona. Foi ele que incluiu o meu nome numa recomendação. Já foi uma honra saber que eu estava sendo considerada. Então o meu nome foi passado para o Carlos Carvalho, que é responsável pelos atletas americanos do ADCC (isso até onde eu sei, ha, ha). Depois de falar com ele ao telefone, eu ainda estava um pouco hesitante em acreditar que eu era mesmo candidata. Permaneci otimista ao longo dos últimos dias, e fui às lágrimas hoje de manhã quando recebi o email oficial. Há tantas atletas de alto nível hoje no esporte, que estou muito honrada de ser considerada digna dessa competição. Só há oito mulheres por categoria, e dezesseis no total. Eles podiam escolher qualquer uma para esses oito lugares. Posso dizer, com confiança e alegria, que estou pronta para este desafio de ser posta entre as melhores do mundo.

Você acha que o seu desempenho no World Pro fez que o seu nome ficasse tatuado na cabeça dos organizadores?

Acho que o conjunto dos meus resultados este ano ajudou a validar a minha presença. Vencer o Pan, competir no Abu Dhabi World Pro e ficar no pódio do Mundial – muita gente mataria por um currículo assim.

Com que frequência você treina e compete sem kimono?

Minha escola é concentrada no kimono, então não treino muito sem ele, mas tenho visto que a transição não é muito problemática. Às vezes esqueço quão rápida e atlética eu sou, porque eu posso desacelerar as coisas ao meu gosto de kimono. Velocidade, agilidade, e a habilidades de sair de posições apertadas são apenas algumas das características que podem me beneficiar.

Que tipo de treinamento você fará agora, e o que vai mudar em termos de preparação?

Vou ganhar peso além dos meus naturais 59 quilos vestindo o kimono, então eu terei o luxo de me focar em ficar forte e acrescentar massa muscular. Além do acréscimo no peso e no condicionamento, também planejo sufocar alguns parceiros (atuais e antigos) e amigos no Arizona e na área da Baía de São Francisco, para dar uns treinos inter-academias. Enquanto a maior parte do meu treino será feita na minha própria academia, eu creio que a melhor maneira possível de me preparar depende de ter corpos diferentes com que rolar, além dum universo amplo de conhecimento.

Você já competiu nos qualificatórios para o ADCC?

Nunca. Sem kimono, o meu currículo não tem muitos resultados; mas, no todo, sei que tenho muito que oferecer como atleta. Com ou sem kimono, tenho confiança no meu desempenho.

O que você pode dizer sobre a presença de americanos e mulheres nesses torneios prestigiosos? Pode ser sinal de evolução?

É muito boa notícia para uma mulher americana. Acho que pode ser bem fácil ignorar os americanos, considerando-se o calibre dos competidores brasileiros, europeus e japoneses. Tem havido tanto crescimento na comunidade de luta feminina nos últimos anos, e sinto orgulho de fazer parte disto. Há mais oportunidades para as mulheres competirem no mesmo palco e na mesma altura dos homens. Estamos crescendo, e é lindo e inspirador ver mulheres como grandes nomes do esporte. A evolução é constante. Mais barreiras vão caindo, e estou ansiosa para ver o que o futuro do esporte guarda para nós.

Kristina submitting on her way to gaining the ticket to Abu Dhabi for the 2013 WPJJC. Photo: Erin Herle

A new face will be in attendance at the ADCC in the female under 60kg division. Kristina Barlaan was awarded her brown belt in December of 2012 on the podium at the IBJJF Fall Open after a great run at her previous rank. As a purple belt she racked up medals at the Pan American Championship and the World Championship but also made strides off the competition mats. At home in Arizona with her fiance Gustavo Dantas of GD Jiu-Jitsu/Nova Uniao and GMA member, she helps promote females in the sport by sponsoring women-only open mats called Inspire.

Within only six months of having her new belt, her results were great and the transition was seamless. She placed first at Pan Ams and third at Worlds as a featherweight and also attended the Abu Dhabi WPJJC in the female purple/brown/black division after winning an American trial.

Today, she can plan another item on her resume as a personal invitation to ADCC in Beijing, China secures her participation in one of the most prestigious BJJ tournaments in the world.

Her invitation can be seen as evidence of evolution as only the top names from all over the world are considered or they must win a trial  to be secured. Being an American female brown belt, an invitation means that promoters are scouring athletes from all over and choosing their competitors with a range of differences. See what Kristina has to say about her invite and what she feels it means for our sport:

GRACIEMAG: What does it mean to you to receive this personal invitation? Was it a surprise? 

KRISTINA BARLAAN: I was first contacted by black belt, Arthur Ruff, who has many affiliates based here in Arizona. He was the one who put my name into recommendation. To have just received the message that I was even considered was such a great honor. My name was then passed to Carlos Carvalho who is responsible for the ADCC American athletes (this is all to my understanding of course haha). After speaking with him on the phone, I was still a little hesitant to believe that they would really take my name into consideration. I remained optimistic throughout the past few days, but receiving the official email this morning made me more than just a little tearful. There are so many high level women in this sport today and I am truly honored to be held with the same regard. There are only 8 women per division, 16 all together. They could have picked anyone to fill those 8 spots. I can happily and confidently say that I am ready to step up to this challenge of being included with the top females in the world.

Do you think your role in the World Pro helped imprint your name in their mind? 

I think my overall results this year really helped to validate my presence. Winning Pans, competing in the Abu Dhabi World Pro, and placing third at Worlds are accomplishments that most athletes would kill to have on their resume.

How often do you train/compete no-gi normally? 

My academy mainly focuses on the gi, so I don’t get to train no-gi very often, but I have found that transitioning to no-gi from doing strictly gi works very well. Sometimes I forget how athletic and fast I am because I can slow down and go the speed I want with the gi. When training no-gi, I suddenly remember that I have many attributes that work for me without the gi. Speed, agility, and being able to wiggle out of tight positions are just some of the things I can really take advantage of.

What type of training will you do now and what will change in terms of preparation? 
I will be going up in weight from my usual 129 lbs. with the gi on, so I have the luxury of really focusing on getting strong and putting on some serious muscle weight. On top of the added strength and conditioning, I also plan on reaching out to team mates (current and former) and friends in Arizona and back home in the Bay Area to get some cross-academy training. While the majority of my training will be in my academy, I find that having different bodies to work with and pulling from an abundant knowledge pool will really help get me prepared the best way possible.

Have you ever competed in the ADCC trials before?

I have never competed in the ADCC trials. No-gi wise, my resume may not have the most results, but overall, I know I have a lot to offer as an athlete. Gi or no-gi, I am confident in my ability to perform.

What can you say about the presence of Americans and females (can be separate ideas) in these prestigious tournaments? Could this prove a sort of evolution?

It’s really empowering as both a woman and an American. I feel like it can be really easy to overlook Americans, especially when you see the caliber of competition coming from Brazil, Japan, and Europe. There has been so much growth in the female fight (BJJ, MMA, etc.) community over the years and I am proud to be part of that. There are more opportunities for women to compete on the same stage and in the same high regard as our male counterparts. We are rising and it’s beautiful and inspiring to see women as powerhouses for the sport. Evolution is constant. More barriers keep being broken and I look forward to see what this sport has to offer in the future.

Last year’s podium for the 1st Copa Bela / Photo: Mannie Romero

Arizona’s premiere all-female Jiu-Jitsu tournament returns for its second installment on May 4, 2013. Headed by stand-out Nova Uniao Brown belt, 2013 Pan Jiu-Jitsu Champion, and promoter of Inspire: All Female Open Mat, Kristina Barlaan, the 2nd Copa Bela boasts a tournament committed to the growth of women in sport Jiu-Jitsu. With divisions for juveniles, adults, and newly added masters division, as well as a brown/black belt absolute pro division offering $1000 to the winner, the tournament continues to push the pace for evolution of females in our sport.

“This is an excellent opportunity for women in the sport to compete and test their skills in a tournament atmosphere. Novice competitors get introduced to the thrills of competing for the first or second time and more advanced competitors get a nice tune-up competition before the 2013 IBJJF World Championship the following month. It’s great to see the women’s Jiu-Jitsu community grow with more seminars, camps, open mats, and, more recently, tournaments dedicated to that growth. Last year, the 1st Copa Bela saw 35 competitors take to the mats, with 4 of those competitors being in the brown/black absolute pro division. A lot of people may see that number and call it small. I call it a start. The very first Pan Jiu-Jitsu Championship had 200 competitors and now it’s over 3,000! Of course the Copa Bela isn’t the Pans, but why should I not believe that it has the ability to grow in the same way? If we as a community continue to support these kinds events, then it’s only natural that we will not only see an increase of women in the sport, but an overall increase in women participating in competition,” says Barlaan.

You can read about the first installment and who won the brown/black absolute pro division by clicking here.

The tournament will be located at Phoenix College: 1202 W Thomas Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85013.

Registration ends April 29 at 11:59 p.m. DST but if you sign up before April 22, get a $10 discount and pay $70.

The 2nd Copa Bela is promoted by GDJJ Events in conjunction with the AZSBJJF, therefore following the protocols of the IBJJF.

For more information, go to www.gdjjevents.com.

To register, go straight to www.gdjjevents.com/copa-bela-registration.

Mackenzie Dern, faixa-marrom da Gracie Humaitá, é uma das atrações do Long Beach Open 2012. Foto: Divulgação

Dia 8 de dezembro, sábado, a IBJJF apresenta ao mundo um campeonato que promete ser um marco. Se você é apaixonado pelo Jiu-Jitsu e vive na Costa Oeste dos EUA, o programa é obrigatório.

Trata-se de uma reivindicação antiga dos competidores – uma liga com prêmios em dinheiro para os principais nomes da arte suave.

A iniciativa fez com que a IBJJF criasse, pela primeira vez na história do esporte, um ranking internacional dos melhores faixas-pretas da temporada. E eles estarão lá para provar quem é, de fato, o melhor, na IBJJ Pro League – entre os confirmados, nomes como Rubens Cobrinha, Rominho Barral, André Galvão, Leandro Lo, Caio Terra, Roberto Tussa e outras feras.

Paralela à League, será realizado o Long Beach Fall Open 2012, que também promete. São mais de 300 atletas já inscritos, e algumas estrelas de olho no ouro. As inscrições terminam hoje, portanto garanta seu lugar, aqui.

O GRACIEMAG.com estará lá para cobrir os melhores momentos desse dia especial para o Jiu-Jitsu. E você, vai perder a chance de aparecer no GRACIEMAG.com?

Se você ainda precisa de mais motivos para competir, elegemos, a seguir, as oito principais razões para você se inscrever logo no Long Beach Open, e não ficar assistindo a toda essa festa das arquibancadas.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zThG8pVdwfc

1. Fim de ano dourado

Será sua última chance de faturar uma medalha da IBJJF em 2012. E o teste não será de todo fácil, já que alguns grandes astros da faixa-preta estão inscritos, como Lucio Lagarto, DJ Jackson, Ricardo Bastos e Raul Castillo.

2. A primeira medalha

Apesar da briga acirrada, há algumas divisões de peso sem tantas lutas. Fim de temporada, astros em temporada de seminários, você sabe. Pode ser sua grande chance de ganhar uma medalha de ouro incontestável sem precisar enfrentar quatro, cinco oponentes.

3. Luta antes, UFC depois

No mesmo dia 8, o UFC programou um show rico em Jiu-Jitsu, em que Ben Henderson bota o cinturão em jogo contra o desafiante faixa-preta Nate Diaz. Lute mais cedo, reúna os amigos e assista ao UFC entre amigos, de preferência com comentários especializados do seu professor faixa-preta, se ele lá estiver para competir também. Diversão garantida.

4. Mulherada cascuda

O feminino promete no Long Beach Open. Já estão inscritas Mackenzie Dern (faixa-marrom), Kristina Barlaan (faixa-roxa) e Erin Herle (roxa). Erin, lutadora da Alliance, é a mais nova e casca-grossa repórter do GRACIEMAG.com.

5. Consistência e evolução

“Não é porque é fim de ano que temos de parar de lutar. Eu sempre quero competir, e acho que muitos lutadores se sentem assim”, explicou Erin, dando mais um bom motivo. “É minha última chance de tentar uma medalha de ouro antes que a temporada 2012 do Jiu-Jitsu se encerre de fato”.

6. Kobe Bryant vs Michael Jordan

Se você é fã de Jiu-Jitsu e basquete, estar na Califórnia será uma boa chance de ver os Lakers. O time de Kobe joga, no fim de semana, contra o Utah Jazz, na clássica Staples Center Arena, em Los Angeles. Aliás, no Long Beach Open, teremos Michael Jordan em ação. O faixa-marrom Michael Jordan Krider, fera da GB San Diego.

7. Após as lutas, as praias da Califa

Se você vive em outra região dos EUA, quer desculpa melhor para fugir do frio? Vista o kimono e vá para oeste! E, se bobear, volte com a medalhinha para mostrar em casa.

8. Brinde e informação

A melhor por último. Todo competidor ganha uma camisa exclusiva do evento e um exemplar de GRACIEMAG, perefito para ler enquanto seu nome não é chamado.

As inscrições terminam hoje, portanto se apresse. Para se registrar no Long Beach Open, clique aqui.

Mackenzie Dern, a Gracie Humaitá brown belt, is one of the attractions at the Long Beach Open 2012. Publicity photo.

On Saturday, December 8, the IBJJF will be introducing the world to a new championship promising to be a milestone. If you love Jiu-Jitsu and live on West Coast USA, your presence there is mandatory.

The tournament is something competitors have been yearning for for years–a league paying out cash prizes to the biggest names in the gentle art.

For the initiative to come to pass, the IBJJF created internationals standings where the best black belts of the season are ranked, for the first time in the sport’s history. And they’ll be there to prove who is indeed the best, at the IBJJ Pro League–among those confirmed to be there are the likes of Rubens Cobrinha, Romulo Barral, André Galvão, Leandro Lo, Caio Terra, Roberto Tussa and other top-flight submission wizards.

Running alongside the League, the Long Beach Fall Open 2012 also promises excitement. Over 300 athletes are already signed up, of whom some are stars with their eyes on the gold. Sign-ups end today, so secure your spot here.

GRACIEMAG.com will be there to cover all the major moments on this special day for Jiu-Jitsu. So are you going to miss the chance to appear on GRACIEMAG.com?

If those aren’t enough reasons to get you to compete, then maybe the following eight will convince you to sign up for the Long Beach Open, instead of watching the party from the stands.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zThG8pVdwfc

1. Golden end of the year

It’ll be your last chance to win an IBJJF gold medal in 2012. And it won’t be the easiest of tasks, as some of the biggest names at black belt are in the mix, like Lucio Lagarto, DJ Jackson, Ricardo Bastos and Raul Castillo.

2. The first medal

However fierce the competition may be, there are still some weight groups without that many matches. Holiday season, stars doing seminar tours… You know how it goes. It could be your big chance to win an unquestionable gold medal without having to go through four, five matches.

3. Fight first, UFC after

For the same day of the 8th, the UFC has put together a show rich in Jiu-Jitsu, where Ben Henderson puts his belt on the line against black belt Nate Diaz. So get your own competing in, and then gather with your friends to watch the UFC, preferably with special commentary from your black belt instructor, if he happens to be there to compete too. Guaranteed fun.

4. Hard-nosed ladies

The female division at the Long Beach Open will be serving up some stern competition. Already signed up to compete are brown belt Mackenzie Dern and purple belts Kristina Barlaan and Erin Herle. Erin, who fights under the Alliance banner, is the latest thick-skinned reporter to join the GRACIEMAG.com team.

5. Consistence and evolution

“I always want to compete. And that’s the feeling for a lot of people,” says Erin in a post listing her reason’s for sticking her neck out at the championship (click here to read it). “This is my last chance to get an IBJJF gold medal before the 2012 tournament season officially ends.”

6. Kobe Bryant vs. Michael Jordan

If you’re a Jiu-Jitsu and basketball fan, being in California will be a chance to see the Lakers. That weekend, Kobe’s team will be taking on the Utah Jazz at the Los Angeles Staples Center Arena. To top that off, at the Long Beach Open we’ll get to see Michael Jordan in action–the brown belt Michael Jordan Krider of team GB San Diego, that is.

7. Hit the California beaches post comp

If you live elsewhere in the USA, could you have a better excuse than to escape the cold? Throw on your gi and go west! And you may just come up with a gold medal to show off when you get home.

8. Perks and information

The best for last. Every competitor gets an exclusive event T-shirt and a copy of GRACIEMAG, perfect to keep you busy while you’re waiting for your name to be called.

Sign-ups end today, so rush and get your name on the list. Click here to register for the Long Beach Open.