Standouts:

Black belt – Ben Henderson (JCBJJ) defeated Nathan Mendelsohn (Claudio Franca BJJ) by one advantage in the finals of the black belt medium-heavyweight division.

Brown belt – After winning the adult medium-heavyweight division, Daniel Hampton (GDJJ Prescott) defeated Kevin Scott (CTA) in the final of the adult open weight division to secure his double gold.

Purple belt – Horlando Monteiro (GDJJ Academy) and Joao Paulo Fernandes (GDJJ Academy) won the middleweight division and the heavyweight division respectively and closed out the open class.

Blue belt – After taking second place in the adult heavyweight division, Nathan Hagberg (GDJJ Academy) came back to close out the open class with his GDJJ Academy teammate Thomas Keenan who won the biggest blue belt bracket, the adult middleweight division.

Blue belt – Krystal Coots (JCBJJ) won the featherweight division and defeated Shayleh Lester (Rey Digo/De Brazil) to win the open class.

Purple belt – After winning the adult lightweight division, Sarah Black (GDJJ Academy) defeated Nana Hawakawa (Ruffhouse) in the final of the open class, and secured her double gold.

For more photos go to the facebook page of the event here: https://www.facebook.com/gdjjevents2/photos_albums

The 8th AZ International Jiu-Jitsu Open will take place on March 9 & 10 at the Phoenix College located at 1202 W. Thomas Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85013. The Jiu-Jitsu competition will offer kids, juveniles, adult (male and female), masters and senior divisions.

The AZSBJJF and conjunction with GDJJ Events continue to bring high level competitors to compete in the Valley of the Sun for twelve years. Competitors such as Kron Gracie, Robson Moura,  Caio Terra, JT Torres, Augusto “Tanquinho”, Samir Chantre, Bruno Bastos, Roberto “Tussa”, Rafael “Formiga”, Clark Gracie and other great competitors have competed in our pro divisions before.

$3000 Cash prize division is back! The Black Belt adult Open class division is offering $2500 for the first place and $500 for the second place, besides being a great tune up for the Pan American Championship in Irvine. Last year Rafael “Formiga” flew in from the east coast to secure the cash prize.

Each competitor must fill out the registration form online. The pre-registration fee is $70 for the adults (18 yrs+) and juveniles (16-17 yrs) or and $60 for the kids (4-15 yrs) division until Monday, February 25. After this date, registration rates will be $80 for adults and juveniles and, $70 for the kids until March 4. All registrations must be received by Monday, March 4 by 11:59 p.m.

More info at www.gdjjevents.com