Kleber Buiú in photo by Gustavo Aragão

Last Sunday, at the Tiuca Tennis Club, they closed out the medium heavyweight division of the Rio International Open. A true gentleman, Buiú didn’t make a big deal about keeping the gold for himself, as his teammate hadn’t yet won one in the weight group as a black belt before.

“Jiu-Jitsu is a sport that gave me an objective. It changed me not only in terms of having discipline on the mats, but in the things I want in life. It made me better at many things, even in the way I eat. Training Jiu-Jitsu was not only an opportunity for me, it changed the way I lead my life. It’s something that has only contributed to making me better,” says Buiú, the teacher at Gracie Barra headquarters in Rio de Janeiro.

The fighter remarked on his performance at the Rio Open, where he had to get through two opponents before shutting out the category.

“Closing out with Cranivata was excellent. I couldn’t compete at the Brazilian Nationals due to injury, but I did really solid pre-work with Jefferson Moura and Paulo Caruso for this one. I got a bit sick before the competition, so I looked to play a more tactical game. I used less strength and explosiveness and won my matches on tactics,” he says in analysis.

Cranivata in photo by Gustavo Aragão

Cranivata doesn’t make his living teaching and his routine in the world of business is exhausting. Even so, the black belt finds time to train and put on a show.

“Things are bit tricky for me at black belt because these days the guys make their livings doing this, they’re super-trained. I work all day, I get to the gym late, but I managed to fight well here. Truth is, I don’t train seriously due to lack of time, but for this tournament we worked hard every day,” he recounts.

At an age where he could be competing at master, this may have been the last competition the fighter enters as an adult. But Jiu-Jitsu will always be present in his life.

“It works like an escape valve for me. I feel the need to do some sport after the daily grind. Everyone needs a sport in their lives. I’ve been doing Jiu-Jitsu since I was a kid. I like it a lot and can’t stop,” he says in closing.

Kayron's flexible guard will be showcased in Las Vegas. Photo: Ivan Trindade

This July 22 marks the start of the Rio International Open tournament in Rio de Janeiro. But sign-ups are already underway for three other IBJJF competitions: the Las Vegas International Open on August 14, the Chicago Open on the 22^nd of the same month, and the Honolulu Open on the 4^th of September.

The competitions have started a bit of a buzz. André Fernandes, the boss at the IBJJF office, in California, reports a lot of people have already guaranteed their presence.

“Kayron Gracie, winner of the middleweight black belt division of the Pan 2010 has already confirmed he’ll be competing in Las Vegas. Another to make early contact is Bruno Longman, who teaches in Hawaii. He is putting together a big team to compete at the Honolulu Open. He says he aims to win the championship.”

For more on the events, click here.

Bruno Bastos will be in action in Arizona. Photo: Carlos Ozório

Bruno Bastos is a Jiu-Jitsu workingman. Whether with or without the gi, the Nova União representative competes and is always a candidate to place at the top. This Saturday will be no different. The fighter will be in action at the Arizona BJJ State Championship promoted by Gustavo Dantas. There’s a thousand-dollar payout for the winner of the absolute division.

“I’m going to compete in the absolute. I know there will be tough opponents like Guybson Sá. Hermes França’s going to be in the master division, too, so it will be real cool,” he says.

However, Bruno is shooting for another big achievement, but in Brazil, where he will enter the running at the Rio International Open and International Masters tournament to take place from the 22^nd to the 25^th of July.

“I’m going to compete in the Rio Open and the master as well. I want to win four medals. They don’t all need to be gold, but I’m aiming to get on the winners’ stand four times,” he tells GRACIEMAG.com.

Now a resident of Dallas, Texas, the black belt promises to take a bevy of students with him to the events.

“I’ll arrive in Brazil on July 16 to compete. I’m going to take a group from here too and will leave teaching in the hands of my student Daniel Jacaré while I’m away,” he says in finishing.