When kids compete there will always be a lot of crying. There are temper tantrums and exposed emotions that as adults, we learn to control– for the most part. Competition brings out the best and the worst in all of us so when kids get on the mat, you get the most raw versions of human emotion.

Among the best competitions for kids is the IBBJF Pan Kids that was held earlier this month at the Long Beach Walter Pyramid. Plenty of stories can come from success that can be seen in submissions and podium shots but it’s the learning experience most worthy of media exposure.

One company, Cotch Media, caught some great moments at the Pan Kids that would otherwise have gone unnoticed. Like how coaches interact with their kids when they win and when they lose. how kids warm-up, how parents react to their kids’ putting it all on the line. Of course submissions are warranted in any competition highlight, but this one adds those special intimate touches.

Check it out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5njO0JOzC2o

Kids training at AOJ. Photo: Nick the Tooth

The kids from GMA Art of Jiu-Jitsu in Costa Mesa, CA are heading to the Long Beach Walter Pyramid this weekend with an army of 95 to compete in the 2015 IBJJF Pan Kids Jiu-Jitsu Championship. Led by Rafael and Guilherme Mendes, they are the largest team on the athlete list by far.

Set in their white haven, the kids train in classes that run nearly all times of the day. All different ages and belt levels train to prepare themselves for the competition ahead.

Check out Nick the Tooth and new book at www.nickgullo.com

The Mendes brothers are excited for their kids to take on the challenges at the Pan: “The kids are training really hard and we believe that we will have a good performance. It’s been three years since we opened AOJ and some of these kids have been training with us since the beginning. They are like little Mendes brothers! Can’t wait to watch them perform on Sunday!”

Check out a quick photo album by Nick the Tooth that captures their dedicated students:

Learn more at www.artofjiujitsu.com

Beatriz Mesquita secures her place in the final of the black belt absolute. Photo: Erin Herle

The third day of the 2014 World Championship has brought the black belts to the competition mats inside the Long Beach Walter Pyramid. The female black belts started their rounds in the open weight division with 18 women present in two sheets of brackets. Their matches ensued and the final was determined: Beatriz Mesquita vs. Michelle Nicolini.

Here are the full results of the matches:

Venla Luukkonen of Hilti BJJ Jyvaskyla defeats Leanna Dittrich of Fight Sports via 4-0 points.
Miriam Cardoso of Elite BJJ Redmond defeats Yasmine Wilson of Gracie Elite Team via armbar.
Tammy Griego of Gracie Barra defeats Rachel Demara of Big Brothers via 4-0 points.
Fernanda Mazzelli of Striker JJ defeats Polyana Lago of Alliance via 11-0 points.
Mackenzie Dern of Gracie Humaita defeats Adriadne de Oliveira of Mestre Wilson via 4-4 points, 4-1 advantages.
Janni Larsson of Checkmat defeats Vanessa Nascimento of GFTeam via 4-2 points.
Fabiana Borges of Gracie Barra defeats Andresa Correa of Alliance via toehold.
Luiza Monteiro of Cicero Costha defeats Megan Nevill of Gracie Elite Team via kimura.
Michelle Nicolini of Checkmat defeats Miriam Cardoso straight armbar.
Beatriz Mesquita of Gracie Humaita defeats Venla Luukkonen via choke from the back.

Michelle Nicolini defeats Tammy Griego via armbar.
Fernanda Mazzelli defeats Mackenzie Dern via 8-0 points.
Luiza Monteiro defeats Fabiana Borges via toehold.

Semi-finals

Michelle Nicolini defeats Fernanda Mazzelli via 11-0 points.
Beatriz Mesquita defeats Luiza Monteiro via armbar from the 50/50.

The final will be Beatriz Mesquita vs. Michelle Nicolini set for tomorrow, Sunday June 1.

See a full photo album here.

Michelle Nicolini secured her place in the final. Photo: Erin Herle

Outi Jarvilehto with the gold. Photo: Erin Herle

For the first time in the history of the World Jiu-Jitsu Championships, the females had a roosterweight category. On the second day of the 2014 World Championship in Long Beach, CA, the blue and purple belt females of the new division entered the mat.

The purple belts had 11 while the blue belts had 20 in the roosterweight category, the fifth and fourth most populated divisions respectively. This proves that there have been many females often too light to be in the light-featherweight division, the lowest division prior to now. Don’t let the baggi gis fool you because many of these women struggled until now, where the two champions of the second day at the Worlds have earned their gold in their own division.

Blue belt

Katie Yamashita with the win. Photo: Erin Herle

Katie Yamashita of Alliance at Cobrinha BJJ was able to earn the gold in the blue belt category after previous attempts to bulk up to a stronger weight as a light-featherweight. Katie had five matches with one submission. Her toughest match came when she was put in closed guard because “I train a lot of open guard but not a lot of closed guard defense”.

She began training in Jiu-Jitsu three years ago in her boyfriend’s garage where she trained for a year before moving to Cobrinha’s where her boyfriend trains. Now she trains five times a week while working full-time and works out three times a week. Last year she lost at the Pans and the Worlds because she her spider guard was “smashed” in the light-featherweight category.

Triangle set-up in the final. Photo: Erin Herle

“I feel like having the roosterweight division is more fair. It’s supposed to be about technique and when I was in light-feather I struggled because I was smaller,: she explains. The difference in opponents came in loud and clear. In the future she plans to continue her strength and conditioning to keep training hard and keep getting stronger.

Purple belt

Outi in the final. Photo: Erin Herle

The purple belt roosterweight gold was claimed by Brasa CTA athlete Outi Järvilehto from Finland. The 27-year-old veterinarian had three matches with two submissions in the form of a choke from the back and an armbar. Her toughest match against Maria Henderson was decided in literally the last two seconds as she secured an armbar submission while down by two points.

As a full-time veterinarian she works both the morning shift and the night shift but still tries to train twice a day with strength and conditioning as well. “I don’t always get to do all the training that I plan” she says, but she makes it in as often as she can.

She has been training a total of seven years in Finland but for the last three years she and her boyfriend, Tuomas Tammelehto, have traveled to the camp under Caio Terra that is held one week prior to the Worlds tournament. Her academy, Oulun Kamppailuklubi is under Brasa and Demian Maia and led by her professor, Tomi Kaaerela and Tuomas.

You can check out the partial results so far of the 2014 World Championship here. And albums of photos on the Graciemag Facebook page here.

Traveling from Canada, they have prepared for their chance to be world champions:

Catch their results at the World Championship which will be held from May 29 – June 1. Learn more about GMA Toronto BJJ at www.torontobjj.com

Danielle at the 2013 American Nationals. Photo: Erin Herle

Purple belt Danielle Alvarez of GMA Alvarez BJJ in Arlington, Texas has set her eyes on the gold at the 2014 World Championships like thousands of others. When you read what her accomplishments have been so far this year alone, you’ll agree that it is in reach. Her dad, Daniel Alvarez, is a black belt who leads a team of competitors all around the world to compete and explore the true limits of a Jiu-Jitsu journey.

I spoke with Danielle about her goals for the worlds and what makes a good role model in Jiu-Jitsu. Check it out:

GRACIEMAG: How has your competition season been this year thus far?

DANIELLE ALVAREZ: This year has been great, I’ve been actively competing and learning a lot this season since January. I won the Europeans, San Francisco Open, Houston Open, Boston Open, FIVE grappling, a women’s superfight and also placed at Pan Ams and Brazilian Nationals.

How often do you get to train and what other priorities do/did you have besides Jiu-Jitsu?

Right now I am out of school for the summer so I am able to train 2-3 times a day, every day of the week. During the semester I would train once every day because I had college classes in the mornings. I also teach a women’s class once a week and help instruct the kids classes 3 times a week at my dad’s gym.

Explain your most proud competition moment this year.

My most proud competition moment this year was winning a superfight in a women’s only tournament in Denton, Texas. I had a very tough ten-minute match against Fabiana Borges and came out with the victory.

Danielle wins the 2014 European Jiu-Jitsu Championship to start the year off right. Photo: Personal archive

What would winning the worlds mean to you?

Winning the Worlds would mean everything to me. None of my other accomplishments in Jiu-Jitsu could compare to a Worlds gold medal. All of the competitions I’ve done so far this season have been preparation for the Worlds and I’ve been looking forward to this all year. A Worlds gold medal is the most important thing to me right now.

What qualities and behaviors do you think make a good role model for Jiu-Jitsu?

I think it is important for role models in Jiu-Jitsu to be respectful and helpful for all belt levels, especially white belts since that’s where everyone’s journey begins. I also think good role models in Jiu-Jitsu should always lead by example and bring positive energy to the people around them.

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You can watch the 2014 World Jiu-Jitsu Championship buy purchasing the livestream at www.ibjjftv.com

Joao Miyao wins the gold at the 2014 Abu Dhabi World Pro. Photo: Ivan Trindade

As with every World Championship, the choice of division for each black belt is a careful strategy. You’ll find that many athletes enter divisions that are below their normal weight categories. Some will even enter a division much higher than their walking weight. But the sacrifice is always evident even before the first day of competition.

For young black belts Joao and Paulo Miyao of Cicero Costha, they have entered various divisions together and separately over the years. At some tournaments like the 2014 Pan and the 2014 Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship they both entered the same division. At the WPJJC in April, Joao was able to defeat Thiago Marques in the semi-final by one advantage after Marques defeated Paulo by referee decision. He went on to win the gold in the -64kg division. When not avenging each other, they often meet in the middle to close out the finals as they did at the Pan in late March.

The Miyaos faced each other in the finals of the 2013 Abu Dhabi World Pro. Photo: Dan Rod

Entering roosterweight

This year at the Worlds, neither of them have planned to be in the featherweight category as they have frequented before. And instead of both entering the light-feather category, each wants their chance to win an individual gold and Joao has moved down to the roosterweight category, a place he hasn’t been for awhile.

I asked Joao why he made this move and his answer was simple: “I am light and I think I can make rooster.”

Originally signed up for roosterweight at the Brazilian Nationals this past weekend on May 1-4, Joao went back up to light-feather prior to the day of competition as Paulo went up to featherweight.

But what does this mean for the twin who faces new opponents in the rooster category? Caio Terra of CTA and Bruno Malfacine of Alliance, the two top stars who have rivaled in the finals for years now, have owned the roosterweight division thus far. They both have yet to submit their registration but have intentions to do so. Also in the division is Milton Bastos who placed second at the 2014 Pan. Fabbio Passos of Alliance and Ivaniel Oliveira of Checkmat have yet to register but are worthy opponents for the Miyao as well.

Twenty seconds for action in double-guard?

Joao with an armbar at the 2014 Pan. Photo: Erin Herle

And perhaps one of the most important changes for Joao and other smaller competitors is the new rule regarding double guard-pulling. If competitors in double-guard don’t advance position within 20 seconds of their bums planting on the mat, both competitors will be made to stand. This action will be determined by submission attempts or “imminent” movement towards a point-scoring move. If one comes up for the advantage to play top within the 20 seconds, the danger of being stood up is voided.

Joao supports the rule and when asked if he’d come up on top in a double guard situation, he said he would. We may see more of the Miyaos on top if their berimbolo attempts while in double guard are not seen as enough action. It isn’t an issue Joao seems to worry about and should he come up to pass, we’re likely to see a toureando pass since it’s his favorite.

The ultimate goal

Given that this is Joao’s first attempt at a black belt world title, his life goal could be reached within a matter of weeks. If you didn’t know, the Miyaos have one priority: competition. Their goal they are most motivated to achieve, the one they set their eyes upon over all other titles along the way is the black belt world champion title.

I wanted to know if Joao saw his life changing at all should he accomplish this on that first weekend of June. He didn’t understand the question. I don’t know if it was Google translate failing me or if the idea just didn’t hold any weight in his mind. I tried to ask if it was more about the journey rather than the destination–that saying we always talk about that would best cover up the issue of greed for titles.

He said, “I want to win more and more until I cannot fight anymore.”

It’s possibly the most grandiose idea I’ve ever heard from him. The Miyaos don’t think about the future like most. They don’t question their life’s purpose or what they’re going to do when they’re older. They only think of the now. Joao’s “now” is the Worlds and if he does accomplish the title, getting past multiple-time black belt world champions in the process, he’ll look forward to the next tournament on his agenda rather than settle. Or be satisfied. He’ll look to the next time he can fight for the world title.

Go for your own goal

Over the next couple of weeks while we wait for more names on the athlete list, submit your own registration to be included in the historical event in Long Beach, CA. From May 28-June 1 the Walter Pyramid will be provide this year’s most thrilling matches.

Register by May 19 at www.ibjjf.org

Joao Miyao vs. Thiago Bravo Santos in the 2014 WPJJC -64kg final:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4FcHEp9oCQ

Venue in Long Beach, California / GRACIEMAG file photo

The IBJJF has officially released the dates for the World Championship. You can now make your plans to earn the top title between May 28 and June 1 at the famed Long Beach Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, CA.

The only possible change to the schedule will be whether or not Wednesday, May 28 is needed to hold the capacity of athletes. As soon as registration begins to fill closer to the event dates, the IBJJF will release a more concrete schedule. As of now, the pre-schedule is as follows:

Wednesday – May 28:
White Adult Male (Weight divisions)
White Adult Female (Weight divisions)
White Masters (Weight divisions)

Thursday – May 29:
White Adult Male (Weight divisions)
White Adult Female (Weight divisions)
White Masters (Weight divisions)
Blue Adult Male (Weight divisions and Open Class)
Purple Adult Male (Weight divisions)

Friday – May 30:
Blue Adult Male (Weight divisions and Open Class)
Blue Adult Female (Weight divisions and Open Class)
Purple Adult Male (Weight divisions and Open Class)
Purple Adult Female (Weight divisions and Open Class)
Brown Adult Male (Weight divisions  and Open Class)

Saturday – May 31:
White Juvenile Male (Weight divisions)
White Juvenile Female (Weight divisions)
Blue Juvenile Male (Weight divisions and Open Class)
Blue Juvenile Female (Weight divisions and Open Class)
Purple Adult Male (Open Class)
Purple Adult Female (Open Class)
Brown Adult Male (Weight divisions and Open Class)
Brown Adult Female (Weight divisions and Open Class)
Black Adult Male (Weight divisions and Open Class)
Black Adult Female (Weight divisions and Open Class)

Sunday – June 1:
Black Adult Male
Black Adult Female

Full information as it comes will be available at www.ibjjf.org

To see more tournaments scheduled for the year, visit the calendar: http://ibjjf.org/championships/calendar/

Check out his moves:

Learn more about James Foster and his GMA Foster BJJ academy in Kent, WA at www.fbjjonline.com

To see the full results of the tournament, click here.

The champions that won their two matches in each division were Gabriel Moraes of Checkmat and Victor Estima of Gracie Barra.

Gabriel Moraes earns an advantage for the win. Photo: Erin Herle

In the rooster/light-feather/feather division, Moraes faced Laercio Fernandes of Alliance and after a working his guard for most of the match, he landed a sweep earning two points and the win.

On the other side of the bracket, Samir Chantre of Caio Terra Association won his match against Rafael Barata Freitas of Gracie Barra via a tough toehold. The final match was a double guard pull situation until Moraes came up at the end and earned the advantage and the championship win.

Victor Estima submits with the inverted triangle. Photo: Erin Herle

The light/middle division had Estima against Osvaldo Augusto Queixinho of Caio Terra Association. The match went back and forth but Estima managed to take the back and earn one more sweep than Queixinho and won the match 8-2.

On the other side of the bracket, Vitor Oliveira of GFTeam faced Francisco Sinistro Iturralde of Alliance and gathered four advantages from guard pass attempts to win the match. In the final, Estima played his guard well and also on top as he secured an inverted triangle to submit for the championship win.

See a full photo gallery here.

Osvaldo Augusto Queixinho is a member of the Caio Terra Association who competes at many tournaments throughout the year. He almost always reaches the podium and places in the absolute divisions as only a lightweight. This past year has been a large step into his career as a black belt competitor and one could consider it his launch into the top level.

Martial arts became part of his life at the young age of eight. By the age of sixteen, he had earned a brown belt in judo. Jiu-Jitsu found its way into his schedule when he was seventeen years old as he trained with the Carlson Gracie Team.

In 2010 Quiexinho was promoted to black belt by his professors Augusto Tanquinho Mendes and Rafael Formiga Barbosa. The following year he moved to the United States, specifically San Jose, CA, to join the Caio Terra Association at the Institute of Martial Arts.

At the beginning of this year Queixinho placed third at the European Championship. While competing at the various IBJJF city international open championships he picked up momentum in San Francisco then earned gold at the Las Vegas Spring Open, New York Summer Open, Las Vegas Summer Open, American Nationals and then he closed out with teammates to win the Pan No-Gi.

He also won the Abu Dhabi WPJJC West Coast trial and earned a ticket to compete at the 2014 main event in Abu Dhabi, United ArabEmirates. Last month at the No-Gi World Championship, he placed second in his black belt division. He will compete in the light/middle division at the 2013 BJJ Pro League on Sunday, Dec. 8.

Check out one of his matches at the American Cup:

Learn more about the 2013 BJJ Pro League on Dec. 8 at the Long Beach Walter Pyramid at www.bjjproleague.com