Enjoy acai at the 2013 World Championship

The 2013 World Championship brings us the 18th edition of the prestigious tournament and this post brings us to the end of our reasons to support the event. Pertaining to those who are contemplating whether they will be present in the Long Beach Walter Pyramid, we think this motivation will entice you.

Reason #18: Get in on all the deals from well-known Jiu-Jitsu companies and enjoy the acai!

Every year the Long Beach Pyramid packs in spectators and competitors gathering together for Jiu-Jitsu gold and entertainment. But we can’t forget about the booths available to everyone that host deals on gear, opportunities and traditional eats.

This year some of the brands present will be: Keiko, Koral, Budovideos, Fuji and Zebra mats.

The brands will be releasing their Mundial or World Championship products that are only available at the tournament. Don’t miss the chance to secure a limited edition product by your favorite Jiu-Jitsu company.

Also present is the famous acai booth that serves as both after-competition delight and intermission snack.

And, of course, GRACIEMAG will have an awesome booth inside the pyramid where you can subscribe to the best Jiu-Jitsu magazine there is, get amazing gifts on the spot and also participate in incredible promotions. The booth will also be the stage for interviews with BJJ stars and a few more surprises that we will disclose as the Worlds nears. We see you there.

And for those who can’t make it to Long Beach, you can watch the event live at www.ibjjftv.com as well as our live coverage on our Google+ page.

Marcus Buchecha vs. Rodolfo Vieira 2012 Worlds absolute division. Photo: Dan Rod

As we come to a close with our eighteen reasons to support/follow/enter the 2013 World Championship May 29 – June 2, we ask you this question: Will we see the greatest match ever?

This motivation arrives from the match in 2012 between Rodolfo Vieira and Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida in the open weight black belt division. This match-up was highly anticipated being that Buchecha was a rising star and Rodolfo was the most popular name on the BJJ crowd’s tongue. With both gentleman making a scene in their own right, the clash was a beautiful sight to see on the mats of the Long Beach Walter Pyramid.

I won’t spill too much because if you haven’t seen the duel yet, it will get you to jump off your seat, find a gi and get to training right away. Full intensity, with a passion for submission is the driving force in this match and there were no stalling calls, no hesitations and no passivity. Therefore, it will always make you want to train, regardless of whether you’ve seen it before.

So be at the Worlds (or watching the livestream) to be there for perhaps the next big match to be considered the greatest match ever. Do you think this one can be topped? Let us know below!

And follow our live coverage at the 2013 World Championship by connecting with our Google + page!

Andre Galvao versus Romulo Barral at the 2012 IBJJ Pro League, two middle-heavyweight legends. Photo: Erin Herle

The 16th reason for following the 2013 World Championship from May 29 – June 2 pertains to the underdogs. Watch the matches to see how the newer generation of black belts can take on the legends on the mats of the Long Beach Walter Pyramid.

Reason #16: Watch the black belt division filled with new and experienced to see who takes the top spot.

Every year we have newer black belts who enter the realm at the World Championships to test themselves against the best. It’s one thing to go against the best purple belts or the top level brown belts, but black belt has no limits. Whether you are a “solid” black belt or not, whether you’ve won at every other belt or not, whether you’ve never won a championship in all your years of training, you are entering a serious division and there is no easy route.

With that said, there is always a time for upsets to happen and there are always competitors who enter the black belt division as an underdog and do exceptionally well. When Rodolfo Vieira initially came into the spotlight, he was considered the black belt hunter for his outstanding performance in the World Pro beating top black belts to get the gold even before having the black belt around his own waist. And on the same token, when he came into the black belt division he was still stopped early on before the podium. But still, after only two years, he took the top spot against guys who have been winning in the division for years.

This year at the 2013 World Championship, the divisions are full with both fresh black belts and veterans. In the middleweight division, DJ Jackson will be fighting his first Mundials and facing some big names like Claudio Calasans, Clark Gracie, Lucas Leite, Otavio Souza the champion of 2012, and Marcelo Garcia who was the champion for three years in a row prior. While Marcelo may or not be present this year, we have all these names who have protected the podium year after year. DJ Jackson has made a quick ride to black belt but has won Worlds at both purple and brown including the 2012 No-Gi Worlds at black belt. Magid Hage can also do damage with his baseball choke in the middleweight division at his first black belt Mundials, as well.

In the middle-heavy division we could see Felipe Pena do well against such names as Andre Galvao, who has ruled that division before as well as Felipe’s coach, Romulo Barral. We have other big names and champions like Rafael Lovato, Jr., Sergio Moraes who won at 2012, Tarsis Humphries, Braulio Estima in the past and more. Felipe has done well winning the past two years at purple and brown in both weight and absolute.

At black belt it’s anyone’s game but it’s always a very cool sight to see the newer generation take on the legends. There is no such thing as taking a title because in Jiu-Jitsu, your titles are always yours, never replaced.

See who does well at the 2013 World Championship whether they’re seasoned or fresh by following our Google+ page for live coverage.

And if you’re a last minute procrastinator, you still have a chance to register yourself for the most prestigious championship in our sport by clicking here. It is the last day, ending at midnight PST.

Cobrinha after winning the 2009 World Championship. Photo: Alicia Anthony.

The 15th reason to follow, and in this case compete in, the 2013 World Championship is about the competitor. For this type of motivation, you must be able to evaluate your training and yourself as you compete.

Reason #15: Win or lose, competing will allow you to test yourself against the best in the world.

Competing is always about experience. It’s a confidence booster and sometimes even a slap in the face to wake up and change your training approach. Sometimes it’s not even what you’re training but how. And sometimes it isn’t the amount of training you’ve completed to prepare but how you’ve been able to prepare mentally.

We often hear black belts talk about having a “good day” and that is what can determine who wins a championship. Other times, when asked about how they handle being at the competition the day of, they talk about how they keep their mind right with music or solitude in order to get ready for battle, so to speak.

The experience of competing, win or lose, is just that: Experience. You must be able to use the testing grounds for improving yourself, even if you are able to submit every opponent. If you lose your first match be it to a referee decision, you must be able to take the opportunity as a way to come back stronger the next time and not place blame on any outside sources. Simply take the loss and make it productive.

Rubens Cobrinha Charles is a decorated athlete who has won the World Championship four times and has always come back with motivation to compete. When GRACIEMAG asked how he finds this motivation these days, he said, “For me, it’s a challenge and as long as I have a challenge in my life I will keep working towards it.”

DJ Jackson is a newer black belt who has had his fair share of losses in the expert black belt division so far. But he always comes back for more better than he was before. He says, “The experience you get from competing is one of the best ways to improve your Jiu-Jitsu. You will be tested and you will make mistakes. If you fix your mistakes and don’t make them again you will see your Jiu-Jitsu skyrocket.”

To sign up before the deadline tomorrow, May 21, click here.

Rodolfo Vieira celebrates his win with friends and family at the 2012 World Championship. Photo: Dan Rod

Reasons to compete in the 2013 World Championship starting May 29 mostly involve individual or team success with personal achievement. Out of our eighteen reasons, this one has to do with those closest to you and how they can be involved in your Jiu-Jitsu lifestyle.

Reason #14: Get your family and friends to take part on your special day.

For most, competing is important–especially at the World Championship. If you prepare for a tournament, you spend time in the gym that is designated for yourself and your teammates. Most of the time you’re putting more hours in as the date of the competition closes in, leaving you less time to spend with friends and family. So let this moment be one to share with those who were left out of your training preparation.

Whether your closest friends or your parents are watching, their support can mean the world. Being a spectator in the stands or through the livestream, the ability to include them in your success is a special experience.

Some people have had the support of their family from day one, like Atos purple belt Michael Liera, Jr. “My dad and I have always been together every tournament and I owe a lot of my success to him. Ever since I was a kid white belt he helped me so much in developing my competition mind set,” he explains. With a world title as a blue belt already from 2011, the influence of his family leads to great results. “A few years ago my mom and sister started coming, too. It’s really nice to have all of them there and to see all of the support they give me. I love having them in my corner at all times!”

Another person who enjoys the support of their family is three time world champion black belt Romulo Barral. A champion who has medaled at the worlds more than ten times since 2004, he gives a lot of credit to his biggest fans. He says, “It means the world to have my family watch, especially for the first time. They are the real supporters, through a win or a defeat they are the ones who will always be with you.”

Compete in the Worlds and let your family and friends be there for you on what could be a monumental day. Don’t let it happen alone!

[highlight]And don’t forget to register for the 2013 World Championship to be held May 29 – June 2 at the Long Beach Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, CA. Click here to sign up before May 21![/highlight]

Caio Terra vs. Laercio Fernandes. Photo: Ivan Trindade

The thirteenth reasons for supporting the 2013 World Championships is mostly for the spectators. Of course we can always learn from watching, the matches can also be pure entertainment. In this case, athletes shifting weight classes has something to do with that.

Reason #13: See new or rare match-ups from top athletes as they move weight classes.

Most of the time, competitors stay at the same weight class. Occasionally you will see athletes moving one or two or even a few as if to say they want a new challenge. But the top champions in one weight class tend to stay within their conquered divisions year after year.

This year one of the bigger moves by a champion is that of Caio Terra. We’ve seen the rooster weight compete as light feather many times before and we’ve seen him win in that category as well. He even competes in open classes and wins as the lightest guy to enter. But at the prestigious world championships he stays in his rooster division where his main opponent has always been Bruno Malfacine. Caio Terra has so far signed up as a light feather and although he mentioned that he could potentially still go back down to his home at rooster, he is competing in the higher division.

In this article he coaxes Bruno Malfacine to follow his footsteps and join the light feather division as well. There hasn’t been any confirmations, but we very well could see Malfacine in the mix as well leaving rooster weight so that others like Fabbio Passos, Felipe Costa, Rafael Freitas, Brandon Mullins and other natives can take their place in the finals. Malfacine is also one to move up to light feather at times, such as Pan Ams 2012 when he won the division.

Light feather has competitors like Guilherme Mendes who has been champion there three times as a black belt in 2009, 2011 and 2012. But he’s not the only threat in the division. Laercio Fernandes, Samuel Braga, Carlos Holanda Vieira, Samir Chantre just to name a few reside in the light feather category who can give both Caio and Bruno a good fight. Although these match-ups have happened before such as Laercio and Caio, Bruno and Guilherme and in both cases the rooster weights have won.

It will be interesting to see the light featherweight division and and what type of wrench this throws in the plans of some of the most dedicated and professional athletes. What do you think about the changes? Let us know!

[highlight]And if you haven’t signed up for yourself, you can click HERE to register and get more information!

[/highlight]

Mackenzie Dern in the absolute against Talita Nogueira at the 2013 Pan American Championship, her first Pan Ams black belt win. Photo: Erin Herle

Getting on with our 18 reasons to follow the 2013 World Championships, there are two athletes that have been doing considerably well in their new rank. To see if they can get to the top of the Worlds podium as they have done in the past at lower belts woud be a sight to see, and motivating at the very least!

Reason #11: See how young black belts Mackenzie Dern and Joao Gabriel Rocha compete where it counts.

Whether or not you have won major titles at the lower ranks, competing at black belt has a level of competition that does not compare. There is nowhere to go once you are a black belt and the competence levels in that realm vary greatly.

Mackenzie Dern, 20

This American/Brazilian has been training her whole life. Mackenzie’s father, the bold Wellington ‘Megaton’ Dias, raised her on the mats from age three and today she is a black belt at the age of 20. Winning the world championship at every belt from 2007 to 2012, this will be her first at the black belt level.

Her first time competing and winning at black belt was at the Copa Podio Heavyweight GP where she fought in a couples duel with her boyfriend Augusto Tanquino Mendes. Then she went on to win her division at the 2013 IBJJF European Open. She placed second at the Pan American Championship and the Abu Dhabi World Pro. Well on her way to becoming the best at black belt, it will be interesting to see how she fares in her first World Championship at this rank and if she will continue her undefeated run.

Joao Gabriel Rocha, 22

Joao Gabriel Rocha is the newest black belt sensation out of team Soul Fighters. He, too, began training Jiu-Jitsu as a toddler and now at 22, Joao has accomplished a trip to the podium at every World Championship so far at each belt. He sealed the Mundials gold two times in 2012 as a brown belt after also winning Pan Ams and Brazilian Nationals that same year.

He received his black belt directly after competing in the Copa Podio Heavyweight GP and winning two matches against black belts. His first big accomplishment with the new belt came in April this year as he defeated the No. 2 black belt in the world, Leonardo Nogueira, in the final of the Brazilian Nationals. His presence in the super-heavy division at the 2013 World Championship will definitely be a threat.

How do you think these two young, dedicated and decorated world champions will fare at their first Mundials?

To register for yourself, go to www.ibjjf.org and sign up now!

Even Braulio Estima is a fan of Romulo Barral! Photo: Instagram

The 10th reason out of the 18 for following/participating in the 2013 World Championship involves the stardom and achievements of the top athletes. But this motivation is not for those athletes, but rather the fans like you who want to meet them.

Reason #10: Share the same space with your Jiu-Jitsu idols and get to know them at the Long Beach Pyramid.

The legends of Jiu-Jitsu, as the saying goes, are simply white belts who never gave up. With that, these champions have given us something to aim for, something to motivate us, learn from and appreciate for paving paths. Even though some are only in their early twenties, these are our idols and they have taught us a lot.

The 2013 World Championship is held each year at the Long Beach Walter Pyramid and while it is a rather large venue, you will surely run into your favorite Jiu-Jitsu stars. There is no VIP area. The bullpen you wait inside is the same bullpen the top black belts wait inside. You share the same refs, the same gi checkers, mat coordinators, same mats.

The ability to meet and talk to your favorite grapplers is not hard at all, just simply talk to them. Most are around days before they compete so they can coach students and scope out the landscape. The seats you sit in to watch the matches are the same ones shared with these athletes who are doing the same thing as you: Learning.

Being at the venue brings many chances to meet your idols so don’t be scared they’ll bite!

If you have yet to sign up to compete at the 2013 World Championship you can do so here: www.ibjjf.org

Buchecha in the final of the black belt adult absolute at the 2013 Pan. Photo: Ivan Trindade

Now halfway through the 18 reasons to support the 2013 World Championship May 29 – June 2, this type of motivation is for the black belts — but watching what happens is intriguing for all.

Reason #9: See how the IBJJF black belt rankings change after all is said and done.

The IBJJF rankings for both male and female black belts is a fairly new concept. With the points structure in place, every IBJJF tournament from the Atlanta Open to the World Championship is important to a black belt’s ranking. They were implemented in 2012 as a way to determine who goes where in the black belt brackets as the top athletes hold precedent, accumulating points as far back as 2010. They are also used in determining who earns an invitation to the annual IBJJF Pro League event.

When the rankings began, Rodolfo Vieira was the leader in the male ranking and Gabrielle Garcia held the top spot on the female ranking with a 500-point lead.

Today, Gabi has yet to move from the No. 1 spot, now leading with a 900-point gap over teammate Luanna Alzuguir and Checkmat’s Michelle Nicolini respectively. The females tend to stay in their spots for the most part, as the point differences are rather large. Interesting, however, that Mackenzie Dern has made it to the tenth spot despite only competing as a black belt for less than six months.

For the males, the rankings today fluctuate as Marcus Buchecha Almeida has made his way to the top once again after Bernardo Faria was injured at the 2013 Pan American Championship in March. His match against Buchecha in the semifinals of the absolute not only caused him a rib injury but also a downgrade in the rankings as his teammate, Leonardo Nogueira, preceded him as well. Now in the third spot, it would take Bernardo at least two visits to the podium at this year’s Worlds to possibly move up.

The intrigue of the rankings is that all weight classes are combined into one point system. Roosterweights like Caio Terra, who is currently in the fifth position, and Bruno Malfacine in spot No. 11, prove that being consistent is key, regardless of competing in the open weight division where points hold much more weight. Featherweights like sixth place Rafael Mendes and his brother Guilherme in the eighth spot have ranked within the top 10 without ever competing in the open weight division at major IBJJF events.

Who do you think will be moving up in the black belt rankings after a trip to the podium this year? Let us know!

To see the full IBJJF black belt rankings for yourself, please click here.

If you have yet to sign up for the World Championship this year or you would simply like more information, you can go to:  www.ibjjf.org

More females are gathering to compete on the mats of the 2013 World Championship. Photo: Erin Herle

For the next reason of our 18 to be part of the 2013 World Championship in honor of its 18th year, we’re coaxing the women to come out on the mats. The competitions are growing with numbers spilling over into higher ranks as the years go on and dedicated athletes remain with the art. A part of that succession involves a fraction of persistent women.

So reason #6 is:

Get the females on the mat to prove the evolution of women in Jiu-Jitsu.

If you’re a female who competes, you’ll be glad to know that we are growing in numbers. If you look at the white and blue belts, the divisions are packed. Purple belts are coming in strong by filling up brackets and the brown and black belts are inviting more to follow their footsteps.

The first female black belt world champion was Leka Vieira in 1999 when the number of women competing could be counted on one hand. In previous years, Leka was claimed champion in many tournaments but only because she was the only one registered. Today, we have multiple female black belt world champions who continue to pioneer the upcoming competitors and strengthen the leadership for those looking to follow their paths.

As of now there are over 20 competitors in some of the blue and purple belt weight divisions. Watch out for the females if you’re a spectator and compete with me at the mundials May 29 – June 2 located at the Long Beach Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, CA. Register now if you’re a female competitor to be a part of the evolution. Register at www.ibjjf.org

See one of Leka’s 1999 Mundial matches below: