Caio Terra against Bruno Bastos in photo by Deb Blyth

The fourth installment of the American Cup tournament promises plenty of great matches this weekend in San Jose, California. On the list of submission wizards on the roster are two top black belts: Caio Terra and Rafael “Formiga”.

Caio generally competes in the rooster or light feather weight divisions, where most diminutive athletes face off, but he always catches the fighters at the other end of the weight spectrum off guard in the absolute. Hence his being dubbed a “fiesty little ant” by his bigger victims. At the 2010 American Nationals Caio plowed through the competition, winning gold in the open weight class. Now his ant counterpart (“formiga” means “ant” in Portuguese) competes at either middle or lightweight, and he won the open weight group at the recent New York Open.

There may be some surprises standing in the way of a showdown between “ants,” though, like Cassio Werneck black belt Marco Torregrossa.

Stay tuned to GRACIEMAG.com, and keep up on all the goings-on at the event here.

A lightweight who always places at the top of whatever championships he’s in, Formiga won the absolute division at an IBJJF tournament for the first time, overcoming Guybson Sá in the final. In third place, Formiga’s training partner at Soul Fighters Diego Santana and Tiago Almeida (Gracie Humaitá).

Formiga celebrates gold in NY. Photo: Dan Rod.

“I’m stoked. It all went according to plan and I won. Now I plan to be at all the Open tourneys out there, since they get your name out there and can yield sponsorship offers. My greater goal is, of course, the Worlds, in June. Last year I lost to JT (Jonathan Torres) via advantage points, and this year I want to do better,” he states.

“I’ve even talked to JT, we might train together after the Worlds. I should move up to middleweight due to the difficulty I’m having making weight. It will be cool, since that way I’ll also be able to train with Lucas Lepri (Alliance NYC’s former lightweight world champion). The academy is doing great, but I there’s always a need for tough training partners. So far my group is at purple belt,” says the absolute champ.

In winning the NY Open absolute division, Formiga had three matches – besides one in the lightweight division, which he closed out with training partner Ítalo Silva (GFTeam). At open weight he got the tapout in the first, scored 2-0 in the second, and scored 8 points in the final.

So now will the fighter be taking a break? Not a chance. “On April 30 I’ll compete at the American Cup, in San Jose, where I’ll be targeting weight and open weight gold,” remarked Rafael.

Besides Formiga, other standouts at the NY Open were Gabriel Napão, winning the master division, and Admilson Juquinha (Gracie Humaita), who beat Carlos Alberto Terrinha (Gracie Barra) in the final of the absolute senior 2 division. Talented local Gianni Grippo (Renzo) nabbed another gold medal for himself at purple belt.

Giacomo Zaninr (Ribeiro JJ) won the brown belt division, Malcom Vaughn (Lloyd Irvin) won at purple, and Tye Murphy (Lloyd Irvin) won the open weight blue belt division.

Peso leve, sempre nas cabeças em qualquer campeonato, Formiga faturou em NY seu primeiro absoluto da IBJJF, ao vencer na final Guybson Sá. Em terceiro, ficaram Diego Santana, parceiro de Formiga na Soul Fighters, e Tiago Almeida (Gracie Humaitá).

Formiga celebra o ouro em NY. Foto: Dan Rod.

“Fiquei amarradão, foi tudo como o planejado e venci. Agora pretendo lutar todos os eventos Open que tiver, pois dão nome e geram propostas de patrocínio. A meta maior, claro, é o Mundial em junho. Ano passado perdi para o JT (Jonathan Torres) nas vantagens num lutão, e quero fazer melhor este ano”, lembra.

“Já conversei com JT inclusive, vamos ver se treinamos juntos depois do Mundial. Devo subir para o peso médio pela dificuldade de bater o peso. Seria legal, pois desta forma eu poderia treinar também com Lucas Lepri (ex-campeão mundial dos leves da Alliance NYC). A academia está indo bem, mas treino duro sempre faz falta. Por enquanto minha molecada é faixa-roxa”, conta o campeão absoluto.

Para conquistar o absoluto do NY Open, Formiga fez três combates – além de um no peso leve, que fechou com o parceiro de treino Ítalo Silva (GFTeam). No absoluto, finalizou na primeira, meteu 2 a 0 na segunda, e fez 8 pontos na final.

Será que Formiga descansa? Jamais. “Dia 30 de abril vou lutar a American Cup, em San José, em busca do peso e absoluto”, comentou Rafael.

Além dele, outros destaques do NY Open foram Gabriel Napão, campeão master, e Admilson Juquinha (Gracie Humaitá), que bateu Carlos Alberto Terrinha (Gracie Barra) na final do absoluto sênior 2. Talento local, o incansável Gianni Grippo (Renzo) beliscou mais uma medalha de ouro na faixa-roxa.

No absoluto marrom, deu Giacomo Zaninr (Ribeiro JJ). No absoluto roxa, o campeão foi Malcom Vaughn (Lloyd Irvin). No aberto azul, venceu Tye Murphy (Lloyd Irvin).

Napão shines again. Photo: Dan Rod.

There’s life after the UFC. Released from Dana White’s organization after some under-par performances, Gabriel “Napão” Gonzaga returned to gi-clad competition in good shape – bringing the crowd to its feet like in the old days.

With his chokes up to speed, Napão (Team Link) took gold in the ultraheavyweight master division and was the big name in the absolute master category, after finishing Guillermo Salas (Gracie Academy) in the final. He had his work cut out for him in the semifinal too, facing Nakapan Phungephorn (Lloyd Irvin).

The top three overall team winners were all GMA member academies

1- Alliance – 161 pts

2- Lloyd Irvin M. A. – 146 pts

3- Renzo Gracie – 124 pts

Napão brilha novamente. Foto: Dan Rod.

Há vida após o UFC. Dispensado da organização de Dana White após lutas meio paradas, Gabriel Gonzaga, o Napão, voltou em boa forma às competições de kimono. E levantando a plateia como de costume.

Afiado nos estrangulamentos, Napão (Tem Link) ficou com o ouro no pesadíssimo master e foi o grande campeão master absoluto, após vencer na final Guillermo Salas (Gracie Academy). Na semifinal, passou por outra dureza, Nakapan Phungephorn (Lloyd Irvin).

No resultado final, três GMAs nossas ficaram com as três primeiras colocações. Confira:

1- Alliance – 161 pts

2- Lloyd Irvin M. A. – 146 pts

3- Renzo Gracie – 124 pts

Vitor Henrique won the middleweight division for GFTeam. Photo: Dan Rod.

The World Pro in Abu Dhabi wasn’t the only championship going on around the world on Saturday. In the United States, black belts from the traditional teams competed at the third installment of the New York International Open, and there was no lack of action.

The good winds blew in favor of the athletes from GFTeam and Soul Fighters. While in the United Arab Emirates team representatives from the teams like Rodolfo Vieira and Augusto Tanquinho were the big standouts, the teams had similar fortunes at New York City College.

Tanquinho’s training partners Rafael “Formiga” Barbosa was the big name of the event. Besides closing out the lightweight division with Ítalo Lins, Formiga won the absolute.

“I had three matches in the absolute. I got the tapout in the first and the sweep in the second. In the final, against Guybson Sá, I won by 8 to 4 with four sweeps,” says Formiga.

Rafael "Formiga" Barbosa, by Dan Rod.

Besides Formiga, Diego Sampaio was another who did a good job for his team, winning the medium heavyweight division. Now for GFTeam, besides Ítalo, Denílson Pimenta took the featherweight division by beating a game Samir Chantre, and Vitor Henrique secured gold at middleweight. In the female division, Vanessa Oliveira won at weight and absolute.

Check the IBJJF website for complete results later.

Vitor Henrique venceu no peso médio pela GFTeam. Foto: Dan Rod.

O sábado não foi um dia de disputas apenas em Abu Dhabi, onde ocorria o World Pro. Nos Estados Unidos, faixas-pretas das equipes mais tradicionais lutaram na terceira edição do New York International Open, e não faltaram boas disputas.

Os bons ventos parecem soprar a favor dos atletas da GFTeam e Soul Fighters. Se nos Emirados Árabes representantes das equipes como Rodolfo Vieira e Augusto Tanquinho estiveram entre os grandes destaques, nas áreas de luta montadas no City College New York aconteceu o mesmo.

Parceiro de treinos de Tanquinho, Rafael Barbosa, o Formiga, foi o grande nome do evento. Além de fechar a categoria leve com Ítalo Lins, foi o campeão do absoluto.

“No absoluto fiz três lutas. Finalizei a primeira e raspei na segunda. Na final, contra o Gybson Sá, venci por 8 a 4, com quatro raspadas”, conta Formiga.

Além de Formiga, também foi bem pela sua equipe Diogo Sampaio, vencedor no peso meio-pesado. Já pela GFTeam, além de Ítalo, Denílson Pimenta foi o melhor no peso pena, com vitória sobre o duro Samir Chantre, e Vitor Henrique garantiu o ouro no médio. No feminino, Vanessa Oliveira venceu peso e absoluto.

Aguarde os resultados completos no site da IBJJF.

Scene at NY Open / Photo: Gildson Gomes

Burgeoning talent from the Bronx, New York, Jonathan “JT” Torres (Lloyd Irvin) is one of the big names in the hunt for gold in Abu Dhabi at the World Pro Jiu-Jitsu Cup, a tournament sponsored by the government of the United Arab Emirates that ends this Saturday.

To make it to his goal, though, the lightweight will have to overcome a number of obstacles and achievements right near home.

Torres was the last winner of the absolute division at the IBJJF New York Open Jiu-Jitsu Championship, in 2010. The tournament that gave him the biggest thrill was the one where he bit into his gold metal fifteen minutes from his father’s house.

“It was like fighting in my own backyard,” remember JT by email from a computer in Abu Dhabi. “We’re always traveling the world and competing. This time all I had to do was go down the street, since the gymnasium is a fifteen-minute walk from my dad’s house. It was really exciting and meant a lot to me, plus I got to show that my Jiu-Jitsu was good enough to beat all the big guys. It was overjoying,” he added.

The NY Open 2011 hit the 700-competitor mark and closed sign-ups. But you can still experience the thrill of competing and winning at home. Be a part of the big events coming up this April and May in Phoenix and California.

Click on the tournament and sign up today.

NY Open –16th April

Phoenix Open – 30th April

American Cup – 30th April – 1st May

Dallas Open – 8th May

Cena do NY Open. Foto: Gildson Gomes.

Jovem talento do Bronx, em Nova York, Jonathan “JT” Torres (Lloyd Irvin) é hoje um dos maiores astros na busca do ouro em Abu Dhabi, no World Pro de Jiu-Jitsu, torneio patrocinado pelo governo dos Emirados Árabes que termina no sábado.

Para chegar lá, no entanto, o peso leve precisou superar obstáculos, conquistar feitos e experimentar a consagração bem próximo de casa.

Torres foi o último campeão absoluto do New York Open de Jiu-Jitsu da IBJJF, em 2010. Um torneio cuja maior emoção para ele foi morder a medalha de ouro a 15 minutos de onde mora seu pai.

“Foi como lutar no quintal da minha casa”, lembra JT por email, de um computador em Abu Dhabi. “Acontece de estarmos sempre viajando pelo mundo e competindo. Dessa vez, só precisei descer a rua, pois o ginásio fica a 15 minutos da casa da família do meu pai. Foi realmente excitante, e significou muito para mim, pude também comprovar que meu Jiu-Jitsu era bom o suficiente para derrotar os grandalhões todos. Foi alegria demais”, acrescentou.

O NY Open 2011 atingiu a marca de 700 competidores, e fechou suas inscrições. Mas você ainda pode experimentar a emoção de lutar e vencer em casa, perto dos seus. Participe dos grandes eventos de abril e maio, de Phoenix à Califórnia.

Clique em cima do torneio e inscreva-se hoje.

NY Open –16 de abril

Phoenix Open – 30 de abril

American Cup – 30 de abril e 1º de maio

Dallas Open – 8 de maio

Photo: Regis Chen

With three years of history, the IBJJF’s New York Open is going through its final preparations to find out who it’s new king will be, come April 16.

At the first installment of the NY Open, Brazilian teacher now a resident of the region Lucas Lepri (Alliance) was the grand champion of the absolute black belt division. The following year, his rival Jonathan Torres (Lloyd Irvin) assumed the throne in grand style.

Which team will produce the new king of New York this year? Who will the grand champion be?

The colored belt groups look good to produce some memorable battles too. At Renzo Gracie’s academy alone there are a thousand Jiu-Jitsu practitioners – a sign the competition has promise.

Sign up at the IBJJF website now, and fight to be the best fighter in your division in New York.

Click here, find out who’s in and secure your spot!

Foto: Regis Chen.

Com três anos de história, o New York Open da IBJJF está nos preparativos finais para descobrir quem é seu novo rei, no próximo dia 16 de abril.

Na primeira edição do NY Open, o professor mineiro radicado na região Lucas Lepri (Alliance) foi o grande campeão absoluto na faixa-preta. No ano seguinte, seu rival Jonathan Torres (Lloyd Irvin) assumiu o trono em grande estilo.

Que equipe fará o novo rei de Nova York este ano? Quem será o grande campeão?

Nas faixas coloridas, são esperadas batalhas memoráveis também. Só na academia Renzo Gracie, existem hoje mil praticantes de Jiu-Jitsu, sinal de que a competição promete.

Inscreva-se já, no site da IBJJF, e lute para ser o melhor lutador de Nova York na sua divisão.

Clique aqui, confira quem já está dentro e carimbe sua vaga!

It’s a city of forgotten pugilists, where hotel doormen get whiff of tips not by clothes, but by bags, and where the UFC isn’t yet legal.

For Jiu-Jitsu players, though, competing and winning in New York has been a reality for a long time now.

Battery Park, in Manhattan / Photo: Bruno Ribeiro

Ever since 2008, with the No-Gi Pan, the best fighters in the region have strengthened their bonds with the community, gained admiration from their students and sweat to get IBJJF medals. Ever since 2009, the New York Open has gathered the best from the Gi Jiu-Jitsu scene and drawn the attention of New Yorkers – those people who, according to Talese, blink twenty-eight times per minute, forty when they’re tense.

The 2011 New York Open will be held April 16 at Nat Holman gymnasium at New York’s City College. Sign-ups end this April 9, so you’d best hurry. Before the World Championship in June, this will be your best chance to test your technique, wind and adrenaline on the east coast of the USA.

Click here to sign up!

* And for more curiosities regarding New York read “Fame and Obscurity” by Gay Talese.