Campeã até 60kg, Michelle derrubou a faixa-roxa Talita Alencar (GFTeam) para ficar com o ouro e a vaga no evento principal em São Paulo, em agosto deste ano.

Veja como “Mimi” fez:

Michele Tavares works on top of Michelle Nicolini. Photo: Gustavo Aragão/GRACIEMAG

Athlete from Nova União Ana Michelle Tavares stole the show by winning the up to 60kg category in the ADCC Trial in Rio on Saturday in Maracanãzinho.

After securing the package to the main event in Beijing in October, the black belt told the details of her achievement to GRACIEMAG. Check it out:

GRACIEMAG: What made the difference to beat so many tough competitors?

MICHELLE TAVARES: I think it was my day. Everything seemed easier, I was feeling really good. I just didn’t want to miss anything. I reminded myself the whole time of my training partners, my daughter and how happy they would be if I won. When it’s your day and you’re prepared to fight, and you breathe, it all happens perfectly. Actually, what also makes a difference here is that most of the athletes want to fight Jiu-Jitsu, but the sport without the gi is different. Since my first fight, I entered each match like it was the final. I faced, for example, Jessica Cristina, who has also been winning great fights, and managed to turn a tough fight into a simple win. It was my day. I felt worthy and prepared for any fight.

In your opinion, how was the fight against Michelle Nicolini?

For me, Nicolini is the best competitor right now. I could see everything that happened, I had to have patience and control myself not to make room for her strong positions. Of course, we are always aware to the strengths of our opponent but today I have a student who does the same sweep that Nicolini does very well, and so we train for it. In order to pass, I just used the classic bear hug (laughs). It is the grip to hold her. Anyway, I held her or I would be in a danger zone. What I did was to hug and pummel, dominating her to pass.

You ended up facing your friend Ana Maria India (GFTeam / Team Nogueira) in the semifinal. How did it feel?

Fighting with Ana was an emotional evolution, since she is like my sister. I was sure that the fight would be beautiful,. She likes to play her game without lacking any aggression. I played by the time and the rules. In short, I felt like being at a good party with my friend. I really like you, Ana!

Now do you want to compete again with the gi on to keep the momentum?

We are studying a lot. I have worked extensively teaching. And the pace of competing girls is frantic. I won and I’m back to teaching, and I’m committed daily!

Michele Tavares trabalha por cima de Michelle Nicolini. Foto: Gustavo Aragão/GRACIEMAG

Atleta da Nova União, Ana Michelle Tavares roubou a cena ao vencer categoria até 60kg na seletiva do ADCC no Rio, no último sábado, no ginásio do Maracanãzinho.

Após garantir o pacote para o evento principal em Pequim, em outubro próximo, a faixa-preta comentou os detalhes da conquista com GRACIEMAG. Confira.

GRACIEMAG: O que fez a diferença para vencer tantas concorrentes duras?

MICHELLE TAVARES: Acho que eu estava no meu dia. Tudo parecia mais fácil de acontecer, estava me sentindo muito bem. Apenas não queria errar. Lembrava o tempo todo dos meus parceiros de treino, da minha filha. E o quanto eles ficariam felizes com um bom resultado. Quando é seu dia e você está preparada para lutar, você respira e tudo acontece de forma perfeita. Na verdade, o que também faz diferença ali é que a maioria quer lutar Jiu-Jitsu, mas o esporte sem kimono é outra coisa. Desde a minha primeira luta eu caí dentro como se fosse a final. Encarei, por exemplo, a Jessica Cristina, que também vem travando boas batalhas, e consegui transformar a luta dura em uma vitória simples. Era meu dia, eu me sentia merecedora e preparada para qualquer luta.

Como foi a final contra a Michelle Nicolini, na sua visão?

A Nicolini para mim é a melhor competidora do momento. Eu conseguia enxergar tudo que acontecia, tive de ter paciência e me policiar para não dar espaço para as posições fortes dela. Lógico, estamos sempre ligados na posição forte de nosso adversário. Mas hoje eu tenho uma aluna que faz a mesma raspagem que a Nicolini e faz muito bem, e assim treinamos em cima disso. Para passar, acabei usando o clássico abraço do urso (risos). É a pegada para segurar a danada, afinal ou eu segurava ou estava em zona de perigo total. O que fiz foi abraçar ganhando a esgrima e dominando o tronco para passar.

Você acabou enfrentando sua amiga Ana Maria índia (GFTeam/Team Nogueira) na semifinal. Qual foi a sensação?

Lutar com a Ana foi uma evolução emocional, já que ela é minha irmã. Tinha certeza que a luta seria linda, ela gosta de soltar o jogo, sem amarração. Joguei com o relógio e as regras. No mais me senti como numa boa festa com minha amiga. Gosto muito de você, Ana!

Agora você pretende voltar a competir mais de kimono para ficar no ritmo?

Estamos estudando a melhor hora. Tenho trabalhado bastante dando aula. E o ritmo das meninas competidoras está frenético. Venci e já voltei para dar aulas, o compromisso é diário!

Mazzelli tenta passa a guarda de Talita Treta na final da seletiva do ADCC. Foto: Gustavo Aragão/GRACIEMAG

A seletiva brasileira do ADCC 2013, realizada no dia 20 de abril, no Maracanãzinho carimbou sete passaportes com tudo pago para Pequim, onde ocorre o campeonato, no dia 19 de outubro. Vencedora de uma das passagens, Fernanda Mazzelli, da Striker JJ venceu Talita Treta, da Ryan Gracie, por 2 a 0, se sagrando vencedora da categoria acima de 60kg da seletiva.

Antes chegar a finalíssima, Mazzelli teve que vencer a dura Marina Ribeiro na decisão, enquanto Talita finalizou Marilia Alves na americana no pé, ambas na semifinal do evento.

No embate final, muito equilíbrio entre as atletas, e os últimos minutos marcaram o movimento que deu a vitória para Mazzelli: uma inversão aos quase 6 minutos de luta, que valeram dois pontos para a atleta, e representando a pontuação vitoriosa da final. A vencedora desabafa, segundos antes de ter o braço levantado pelo árbitro: “Até que enfim, vou participar do ADCC”

Confira abaixo a batalha entre Fernanda Mazzelli e Talita Treta na final acima de 60kg da seletiva brazuca do ADCC 2013 e os resultados oficias do evento.

Feminino até 60kg

1° – Ana Michele Tavares NOVA UNIÃO

2° – Michelle Nicolini – CHECKMAT

3° – Ana Maria Índia – GFTEAM

3° – Kalindra Walquiria – GOLD TEAM

Feminino acima 60kg

1°  – Fernanda Mazzelli – STRIKER JJ

2° – Talita Nogueira – RYAN GRACIE

3° – Marilia Alves  – GRACIE BARRA

3° – Marina Soares – CHECKMAT

Masculino até 66kg

1° – João Miyao – CICERO COSTHA

2° -Marcio André – NOVA UNIÃO

3° – Herbert Burns  – TOP BROTHERS

3° – Gabriel Marangoni – CHECKMAT

Masculino até 77kg

1° – Leonardo Nogueira – PEQUENO TEAM

2° – Victor Silvério – GFTEAM

3°  – Philip Augusto – SAPO TEAM

3° – Theodoro Canal – GFTEAM

Masculino até 88kg

1° – Claudio Calasans – ATOS

2° – Paulinho Baraúna – ALLIANCE

3°  – Delson Pé de Chumbo – BITTA

3° – Kleber Oliveira – GRACIE BARRA

Masculino até 99kg

1° – João Gabriel Rocha – SOUL FIGHTER

2° – Cristiano Lazzarini – GRACIE BARRA

3° -Renato Ferreira – RFT

3° – Armando Sixel – BOPE

Masculino acima de 99kg

1° – Rodrigo Cavaca -CHECKMAT

2° -Kitner Mendonça – RYAN GRACIE

3° – Carlos Eduardo – BUDOKAN

3° – Diego Balloutta – DRACULINO

Roosterweight:

Brandon Mullins from Gracie Barra defeated Joseph Capizzi from Renzo Gracie in the final on points, 5-0. Mullins closed the deal with a takedown and a guard pass.

Light featherweight:

Caio Terra versus training partner Samir Chantre. Photo: John Lamonica.

Caio Terra once again triumphed in his match, but this time it was against his roommate and training partner, Samir Chantre. Terra had a couple of impressive reversal takedowns that allowed him to beat his friend on points.

Featherweight:

Justin Rader of Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu conquered Carlos Holanda in a nail-biter of a fight. Tied at the end, one advantage point to one advantage point, the referee’s decision put Rader over the top, making him world champion for the first time since receiving his black belt this year, alongside his professor, Rafael Lovato, Jr., who also won his division.

Lightweight:

Lucas Lepri from Alliance beat Augusto Mendes from Soul Fighters with a rear-naked choke. Mendes was winning the match up until that point, but when Lepri took Mendes’ back, it was all over.

Middleweight:

Gilbert “Durinho” Burns overcame Tiago Alves in an exciting, nonstop, all-action Jiu-Jitsu fight. Pushing the pace from the beginning, the two went at it, but in the end, it was Durinho who emerged the victor after taking Alves’ back and finishing the fight with a guillotine.

Medium heavyweight:

Pablo “Weapon X” Popovitch, of the newly-formed and very successful Avengers team, defeated Daniel Moraes of Relson Gracie on points, 6-0. Popovitch finessed and muscled his way to a big win to become 2010’s medium heavyweight no-gi world champion.

Heavyweight:

Lovato vs. Tussa. Photo: John Lamonica.

Rafael Lovato Jr., from Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu, beat Roberto “Tussa” Alencar in the final, after a referee’s decision went Lovato’s way. The match was tied one advantage point to one advantage point, but was given to Lovato for his constant activity and forward movement during the match. Lovato won alongside his student and first black belt, Justin Rader.

Super heavyweight:

João Assis, from Check Mat, won his No-Gi Worlds title against Marcus “Bochecha” Almeida through a gentleman’s agreement. Coming off his recent Grappler’s Quest win against Saulo Ribeiro, Assis submitted Gustavo Pires of Gracie Barra in his semifinals match with a foot lock that left Pires writhing in pain on the mats.

Ultraheavyweight:

Cyborg. Photo: John Lamonica.

Roberto “Cyborg” Abreu of the Avengers easily submitted David Hertzog of Hertzog BJJ with a unique choke that had everyone in the crowd wondering what had just happened. When asked to explain what it was, he said it was a new “knee on the neck” choke that he enjoyed using on his opponents.

Absolute:

Roberto “Cyborg” Abreu took the absolute through gentleman’s agreement, closing out the bracket with teammates Pablo Popovitch and Marcus “Bochecha.” It was Abreu’s first No-Gi Worlds win and he was overwhelmed with emotion, “I can’t describe how I feel right now,” he said, “This is the best day of my life.”

Female Division:

In the female division, there was a lot of excitement, and history was made on the mats as well. For the first time in IBJJF history, a female refereed a final match – the female absolute finals. That woman? None other than Hillary Williams herself made the trip to the No-Gi Worlds not to compete, but to watch the matches of her fellow teammates, friends, and competitors. When she got there, she was asked to referee the female matches and she obliged.

Of her experience, Williams said, “It was nerve wracking, but I appreciate that they gave me the chance to referee the match. I had no idea they were going to do that!” Although Williams is grateful for the chance to make history, she wanted to make it clear that it was other women who paved the way for the women in Jiu-Jitsu, before her. She says, “There’s a lot of ladies in Jiu-Jitsu who worked harder to get women where they are today – women who paved the way in the beginning.”

Female Brown/Belt Division:

Light featherweight:

Leticia Ribeiro of Gracie Rio de Janeiro defeated Sofia Amarante of The Avengers in their final match.

Lightweight:

Beatriz Mesquita of Gracie Rio de Janeiro submitted Michelle Nicolini of Checkmat BJJ in the finals with an armbar.

Middleweight:

Emily Kwok of Alliance defeated Ana Michelle Tavares Dantas of Gracie Rio de Janeiro.

Medium heavyweight:

In her first year as a brown belt, Luiza Monteiro of Checkmat BJJ overcame Penny Thomas of Gracie Rio de Janeiro in a close match, winning two advantage points to one.

Absolute:

Black Belt Michelle Nicolini of Checkmat BJJ came back from her divisional loss against Beatriz Mesquita of Gracie Rio de Janeiro to submit her with a foot lock in the absolute finals. Of her big win, an overjoyed Nocolini says, “This was really important to me. I trained really hard for this tournament.”

Buiú tenta raspar Murilo Santana. Foto: Carlos Ozório

O Campeonato Brasileiro de Jiu-Jitsu Sem kimono trouxe bons confrontos ao Tijuca Tênis Clube, no Rio de Janeiro, neste sábado (leia a cobertura completa aqui). Além das vitórias de feras como Antonio Peinado, Tiago Alves, Luiz Big Mac e Michelle Tavares, entre outros, o evento coroou Victor Costa, que já vinha de vitória no Pan Sem kimono, como campeão absoluto. 

GRACIEMAG.com não poderia deixar de marcar presença e traz as melhores imagens: 

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Buiú tries to sweep Murilo Santana. Photo: Carlos Ozório

The Brazilian No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu Nationals served up a generous helping of good grappling this Saturday in Rio de Janeiro (read complete coverage here). Besides big wins from Antonio Peinado, Tiago Alves, Luiz Big Mac, and Michelle Tavares, the event crowned absolute champion Victor Costa, following his win at the No-Gi Pan.

GRACIEMAG.com couldn’t miss the event and brings you the best of what went down at the Tijuca Tennis Club in images:

[flickr set=72157625155784279]

Victor Costa finaliza na final do absoluto. Foto: Carlos Ozório

Na véspera das eleições presidenciais, o Tijuca Tênis Clube, no Rio de Janeiro, foi palco na definição dos novos líderes do Brasil, mas no Jiu-Jitsu sem kimono. Exatamente às 18h, começaram as finais do Campeonato Brasileiro 2010.

Um dos  grandes destaques do dia, o empresário Victor Costa (CheckMat), que comanda a Koral Kimonos, mostrou que também está com o chão afiado. Depois de vencer por pontos a primeira luta do peso superpesado, preferiu não fazer a final contra Antonio Peinado (Alliance), que vencera a primeira luta com um mata-leão e ficou como campeão. O motivo de Victor não lutar a decisão foi por priorizar o absoluto, onde disputaria o ouro contra Nilson Ricardo (Nova União). Na categoria aberta, o faixa-preta venceu a primeira por pontos, finalizou a seguinte com um katagatame e bateu na semifinal Theodoro Canal (GFTeam) na decisão dos árbitros. Na disputa do ouro, finalizou rapidamente Nilson Ricardo com um mata-leão.

Peinado não precisou fazer a final com Victor Costa. Foto: Carlos Ozório

No pesadíssimo o melhor foi Luiz Big Mac (Godoi). Big passou a primeira por WO e finalizou o segundo adversário com uma chave kimura para encontrar com Igor Silva (GFTeam) na decisão. Nesta, o paulista usou a experiência no judô para aplicar uma queda. Depois, foi só controlar o combate.

Big Mac venceu Igor Silva. Foto: Carlos Ozório

Rafael Bettega ficou com o ouro no pesado. O representante da Alliance tinha uma luta a menos na chave e contou com a desclassificação do primeiro oponente. Na final, enfrentou o lutador de MMA Marcus Maciel “Bicudinho” (BTT) e finalizou com uma chave de joelho aplicada da meia-guarda.

Buiú grampeia as costas de Murilo Santana. Foto: Carlos Ozório

Kleber Buiú (Gracie Barra), que vinha de vitória no Rio Open, venceu Murilo Santana (Barbosa) e subiu ao alto do pódio no meio-pesado, numa luta bem disputada. Murilo começou raspando, mas, no minuto final, Buiú não desistiu e conseguiu pegar as costas para virar o placar (4 a 2). Antes disso, o lutador vencera o primeiro adversário com um mata-leão e o segundo com quedas.

Tiago Alves passa a guarda de Jonatas Novaes. Foto: Carlos Ozório

Outra fera aluno de Marcos Barbosinha, Tiago Alves começou perdendo na final do médio. O oponente, Jonatas Novaes (Brasa) conseguiu uma raspagem. Conhecido pelo Jiu-Jitsu pressão, Tiago insistiu até passar a guarda (3 a 2). Nos combates anteriores, Alves venceu por larga vantagem de pontos. Na primeira luta, fez 9 a 0, e na segunda, contra a pedreira Vitor Henrique (GFTeam), também abriu boa pontuação, mas o adversário se contundiu.

Davi Ramos (Top Brother) passou pelo primeiro desafio no peso leve nas vantagens. Na semifinal, encarou Helder Medeiros “Bob Sponja” (CheckMat) e conseguiu aplicar duas quedas e uma raspagem para vencer por 6 a 2. Na decisão, Davi finalizou Marcio Rodrigues (Tubarão) com uma americana de pé.

O melhor do peso pena foi Leonardo Souza (Gordo-Evolve), que empatou em 2 a 2 com André Luiz (Godoi), mas levou a melhor nas vantagens. No pluma, Rufino Gomes (CheckMat) finalizou duas com o mata-leão. Na disputa do ouro, o adversário foi Leandro Escobar (Soul Fighters).

Michelle na final do absoluto. Foto: Carlos Ozório

Entre as meninas, Michelle Tavares se recuperou da derrota na final do peso e venceu o absoluto. Finalizou a primeira luta com um triângulo, a segunda com o estrangulamento “dez dedos” e na final, contra Polyana Lago (Alliance), conseguiu pegar as costas (4 a 0).

Marina nas costas de Michelle. Foto: Carlos Ozório

A algoz de Michelle no peso leve foi Marina Ribeiro (CheckMat), que raspou e pegou as costas duas vezes, contra uma passagem de guarda de Michelle (10 a 3). Também se destacaram no feminino Rosalind Ferreira (Gavião), que derrotou Polyana Lago nas vantagens na final do peso médio, e Luiza Monteiro (CheckMat), que finalizou duas lutas com a chave de pé, a final contra Fernanda Mazelli (Striker).

A CheckMat ficou com o primeiro posto no pódio das equipes, seguida da Gracie Barra e GFTeam.

Aguardem a galeria de fotos completa!

Victor Costa wins absolute final via submission. Photo: Carlos Ozório

On the eve of Brazil’s presidential elections, Rio de Janeiro’s Tijuca Tennis Club was stage to the runoff determining the new leaders of Brazil, but in No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu. The finals of the 2010 Brazilian National Championship began just as the clock struck six in the afternoon.

One of the big standouts of the day was businessman Victor Costa (CheckMat), who heads the Koral Kimonos company, showing his slick ground game. After winning his first superheavyweight match on points, he opted not to enter the final against Antonio Peinado (Alliance), who won his first via rear-naked choke and then took the championship title. Victor’s reason for not entering the decider was to spare himself for the absolute, where he battled for gold against Nilson Ricardo (Nova União). In the open weight category, the black belt won his first on points, finished his second with an arm triangle, and beat Theodoro Canal (GFTeam) in the semifinal via referee decision. In the gold-medal contest, he quickly put away Nilson Ricardo with a rear-naked choke.

Peinado didn't have to face Victor Costa in the final. Photo: Carlos Ozório

Luiz “Big Mac” (Godoi) got the best of the ultraheavyweight division. “Big” won his first by WO and finished his second with a kimura lock to then face Igor Silva (GFTeam) in the decider. In the final, the São Paulo native used his judo experience to land a throw and control the bout from there on out, winning by points.

Big Mac beat Igor Silva. Photo: Carlos Ozório

Rafael Bettega took heavyweight gold. The Alliance rep had to compete one less time in his bracket and saw his first opponent disqualified. In the final, he faced MMA fighter Marcus Maciel “Bicudinho” (BTT) and won via kneebar from half-guard.

Buiú clings to Murilo Santana's back. Photo: Carlos Ozório

Kleber Buiú (Gracie Barra), who came in off a win at the Rio Open, beat Murilo Santana (Barbosa) and took top spot on the medium heavyweight winners’ stand, after an evenly-matched dispute. Murilo started the action with a sweep, but in the final minute, Buiú was still playing for keeps and managed to make it to back mount to rally back for the win (4 to 2). Prior to the final, the fighter would beat his first adversary with a rear-naked choke and overcome his second with takedowns.

Tiago Alves passed the guard of Jonatas Novaes. Photo: Carlos Ozório

Another Marcos Barbosinha ace, Tiago Alves started out falling behind on the scorecards in the middleweight final. His opponent, Jonatas Novaes (Brasa), managed a sweep. Known for his high-pressure Jiu-Jitsu, Tiago persisted until passing guard (3 to 2). Alves won his prior matches by a large margin on points. In his first, 9 to 0, and his second, against a game Vitor Henrique (GFTeam), he also took a sizable lead, but his opponent ended up injured and out.

Davi Ramos (Top Brother) got by his first lightweight challenge on advantage points. He then faced Helder “Bob Sponja” Medeiros (CheckMat) in the semifinal, and won with two takedowns and a sweep for a 6-2 tally. In the decider, Davi submitted Marcio Rodrigues (Tubarão) with a footlock.

The best at featherweight was Leonardo Souza (Gordo-Evolve), who drew 2 to 2 with André Luiz (Godoi), but eeked out the win on advantage points. At light feather, Rufino Gomes (CheckMat) finished off two opponents with rear-naked chokes. In the gold-medal match he beat Leandro Escobar (Soul Fighters).

Michelle in absolute final. Photo: Carlos Ozório

In the female mix, Michelle Tavares recovered from a loss in the lightweight final, having moved up a weight category due to lack of opponents, and won the absolute. She won her first engagement with a triangle choke, her second with a ten-finger choke, and won the final against Polyana Lago (Alliance) by sweeping and mounting (6 to 0).

Marina on Michelle's back. Photo: Carlos Ozório

Michelle’s bane at lightweight was Marina Ribeiro (CheckMat), who managed a sweep and two back mounts to one sweep from the guard by Michelle (10 to 3). Another standout was Rosalind Ferreira (Gavião), who overcame Polyana Lago with advantage points in the middleweight final, and Luiza Monteiro (CheckMat), who won two matches with footlocks.

CheckMat took top spot on the team winners’ stand, followed by Gracie Barra and GFTeam.

Check back with GRACIEMAG.com for the full photogallery from the Brazilian No-Gi Nationals.

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