The Stronghold awarded top fundraising team. Photo: Tap Cancer Out

On Jan. 17 the Tap Cancer Out Winter BJJ Open was held in San Diego, CA. Unlike a regular tournament, competitors could opt for fundraising instead of simply purchasing the registration fee. There were also opportunities to donate and fundraise as an individual and as a team.

In total, the tournament raised over $16,000 for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a volunteer-driven charity committed to funding childhood cancer research. The top individual fundraiser was Samuel Martinez of Moore Jiu-Jitsu and the team award for fundraising went to The Stronghold. There were 72 fundraisers and 362 donors total and because of this event’s contributions, Tap Cancer Out has now raised over $100,000 for St. Baldrick’s Foundation since 2014.

But it wasn’t only the charity who received donations–the family of Jeremy Montes Jr., a young Jiu-Jitsu competitor who recently passed away from cancer, received $500 from the event via shirt sales by DeuS Fight Co. You can still purchase the shirt here.

The team totals from the competition are as follows:

1. The Stronghold – 78 points
2. Checkmat – 52 points
3. Victory MMA – 45 points

See full list of divisions winners here.

Learn more about Tap Cancer Out and follow their tournament schedules at www.tapcancerout.org