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Jiu-Jitsu World
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Jiu-Jitsu World #21
WHAT’S INSIDE
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Real Life Stars In the city that turns people into legends, Jiu-Jitsu warriors fought hard to join the short list of Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Los Angeles champions
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Brenda Larissa shares her journey from humble beginnings to major success in the biggest Jiu-Jitsu events in the world
Gustavo Batista reaches stardom in Los Angeles with impeccable campaign at the Abu Dhabi King of Mats middleweight bracket
Impossible is Nothing
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The A-Lister
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MORE
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Greetings
Daily Work Towards Excellency
H.E. Abdulmunam Al Hashemi
Editorial
A Team with a Mission Ivan Trindade
Get Social Top of the Bill
Los Angeles welcomed the stars of Jiu-Jitsu and they made their adventures and glory go viral on social media
AJP Athlete’s Ranking
How to build your route to the top Rodrigo Valerio
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Luiza Monteiro’s Guard Pass and Mount Unravel the technical secrets of the ADGS Los Angeles 62kg brown/black belt division champion
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ADGS LA Show Stoppers
Masters and color belt champions awe the audience in Los Angeles with full effort in search of the ultimate glory
AJP World Tour
Asia, Europe and the Americas experience the thrills of the Jiu-Jitsu global movement
Preview Crown Chasers
Rio de Janeiro will heat up as six of the toughest and most skilled black belts in the world battle to become the first ever lightweight Abu Dhabi Queen of Mats
Opinion
The History of the Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Pro Tour Rankings Mohammed Al Housani
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TRAVEL & ROLL Rio’s best for Jiu-Jitsu travelers
Discover what the wonderful city has to offer those who travel to train and compete
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Greetings
H.E. Abdulmunam Al Hashemi
Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Pro (AJP), Chairman of the United Arab Emirates Jiu-Jitsu Federation (UAEJJF)
Daily Work towards Excellency We invite all Jiu-Jitsu fans to join the AJP Tour. As the 2019/2020 season comes to its mid-point, the movement is growing with each new event in all parts of the world. The Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Los Angeles was the pinnacle of the past two months, as once again the gentle art community is America welcomed the AJP Tour with open arms for a glorious weekend of matches. Athletes of all ages and origins gathered to test their skills. We now move on to the fourth leg of the ADGS season, always a crowd favorite, in Rio de Janeiro, on November 1-3. We are sure once again Jiu-Jitsu will be the star of the weekend in Brazil. Los Angeles also welcomed another edition of the fan-favorite event Abu Dhabi King of Mats. This time the middleweight division brought together eight of the best competitors in the world. After epic battles, Atos JJ superstar Gustavo Batista
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came out on top for the joy of his fans and teammates. The ADKOM series is not done and we should have more exciting news in the coming days. The success in each stop of the AJP Tour is the result of the dedication of devoted professionals on and off the mats, as well as behind the scenes. The AJP team works relentlessly to make improvements in each of the stops the tour makes, big or small. We make the commitment to you that this work will continue and offer better events to all our participants. We once again would like to express our gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of UAE Armed Forces, for his continuous support of Jiu-Jitsu. His Highness has always been a source of inspiration for us and we are fortunate to have him on our side.
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Chairman: H.E. Abdulmunam Al Hashemi CEO: Fahad Al Shamsi Executive Manager: Rodrigo Valerio Editor in Chief: Ivan Trindade Editor: Ane Nunes Design: Henrique Diniz Editorial Production: Gentle Art Media Advertising Director: Ane Nunes Newsroom: news@jiujitsuworldmag.com Advertise with us: marketing@jiujitsuworldmag.com Customer Care: info@jiujitsuworldmag.com
Jiu-Jitsu World Magazine - Head Office: Capital Tower, 17th Floor 33rd St - Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates PO BOX 110004
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Photo by Ane Nunes Artwork by Henrique Diniz
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Editorial
A Team with a Mission A Jiu-Jitsu match in the AJP Tour is six minutes long, if a submission does not take place before the time runs out. A lot of things can happen in this period of time. Our photographers, for instance, take an average of 1,000 to 2,000 pictures in each match. All of that to be sure that we have that one moment that decides the match. All towards fulfilling our mission of bringing our readers the best content possible and the most complete account of the action we witness in each AJP event. The weekend of September 14-15, the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Los Angeles represented two full days of hard work for our team as they covered the action in all weight class and belt colors. Once again, the black belt division reserved the biggest thrills for all of those happy enough to witness the matches in the Felix Events Center, at the Azusa Pacific University. After the last match wrapped up, as usual, our reporters and photographers put together their notes and images to build another unique issue of Jiu-Jitsu World Magazine. It’s remarkable that we are now reaching number 21 of JJWM, a project that was born to shine a light on a movement that has all the potential to take JiuJitsu to levels of excellency and professionalism never seen before. It’s with great proud and a acute sense of responsibility that we complete the process of editing each issue of JJWM. We work hard to fulfill the needs of all our readers as they look to us to help them on the difficult task of having a complete and satisfactory journey as a Jiu-Jitsu practitioner. We hope you have as much pleasure reading JJWM 21 as we had editing. We hope to see you here on the next one. Stay on the mats and have a good read.
Ivan Trindade
Editor in Chief
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INTERVIEW
Impossible is Nothing Brenda Larissa shares her journey from humble beginnings to major success in the biggest Jiu-Jitsu events in the world. Still a brown belt, she aims high and is prepared to continue to work hard to fulfill her dreams
Words: Ivan Trindade | Images: Ane Nunes
Jiu-Jitsu World: For those who don’t know you too well, tell us a little about how you started training Jiu-Jitsu and how competing in the highest level became a part of your life. BRENDA LARISSA: I started when I was only 10 years old. My two older brothers were already training and they brought me in to the gym. After that, my training partners convinced me to start competing and that’s when I really took a liking to the sport. Since then, I have not stopped competing. I am now 20 years old and Jiu-Jitsu is my life. Who were the most important people in your Jiu-Jitsu journey so far and what were the most important lessons they have taught you? I was born in the northern state of Amazonas, in Brazil. My first professor was Melquisedequi Galvão, best known as Melqui. He was the one who welcomed me in his social project for underprivileged children. He was the one who saw my potential and he was the one who gave me the
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boost to prepare myself the best way possible to face the toughest competitions in the world. I have since moved to São Paulo and started training at Alliance, with Professors Fabio Gurgel, Michael Langhi and Dimitrius Souza. Other than that, I have a lot of support from my family and friends both in São Paulo and back home. Your victory over Mayssa Bastos in the 49kg division final at the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Los Angeles gave you a lot of attention from the Jiu-Jitsu community. How did you prepare for that event knowing you would face an opponent of such quality that had not been defeated in that weight class before? I prepared myself really well. I knew it would not be an easy division overall and that I would have to face several tough opponents. With Mayssa in mind, I gave my all during training and really devoted myself to being in the best physical shape and have the strongest game. Thank God, it all worked out fine and I was very happy with my performance.
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I am always looking for the next level of performance. I want to be as ready as possible for greater challenges every time I step on the mat
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Brenda Larissa
Brenda and her first professor Melqui, the man who saw all her potential and gave her the chance to develop it
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The AJP events like the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Los Angeles allow female brown belts like yourself to compete in divisions that also include more experienced black belt competitors. What do you take out those kind of matches that you think will become useful in the future of your career?
The victory at the final match at the ADGS Los Angeles against Mayssa Bastos put Brenda under the spotlight
Each and every competition brings some degree of learning through a different experience. Therefore I am always looking for the next level of performance. I want to be as ready as possible for greater challenges every time I step on the mat. What would be the three most important advices to a white belt that is just starting their Jiu-Jitsu journey and dreams of reaching the level you have reached?
Every competition represents one step further in the evolution of every competitor, despite results. I would tell them to try to compete without putting too much pressure on their performances. That’s how things become fun. Second, I would advise them to find a game they feel comfortable with, but at the same time to learn to adapt. Lastly, I would tell them to always believe in themselves.
The young competitor is always looking for bigger challenges
The AJP is known for paying monetary prizes to its athletes based on performance and results. How important it is for you to have your efforts and accomplishments rewarded? It’s vital! I think that what the AJP is doing is of extreme value as it gives athletes more incentive to dedicate themselves. It adds a new layer of professionalism to our sport. She works hard to be ready when the chance to shine comes her way like it did in Los Angeles
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GET SOCIAL
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Jiu-Jitsu World
Top of the
Bill
Los Angeles welcomed the stars of Jiu-Jitsu and they made their adventures and glory go viral on social media Words: Ivan Trindade | Images: Instagram
The weekend of September 14-5 was a busy one for Jiu-Jitsu fans in the greater Los Angeles area. The Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Los Angeles and the Abu Dhabi King of Mats rocked the golden state with thrilling matches in all belt levels and age groups. As soon as the matches kicked off in the Felix Events Center at the Azusa Pacific University, the posts on social media started coming on as competitors and fans started to share their experiences, struggles and victories. The next two pages give you a little taste of the proud and intensity our athletes experience in each of our events. As the tour now heads to Brazil, on November 1-3, we want you to join the movement and share your experiences too. Before, during and after the ADGS Rio, post your moments on Instagram with the hashtags #adgsrio and #abudhabigrandslam. See you in Brazil.
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AJP Athlete’s Ranking
How to build your route to the top Understanding the AJP athletes ranking Words: Rodrigo ValĂŠrio, | Image: Ane Nunes
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The New AJP World Ranking Format Based on rules of the Olympic Charter, the Qualification System aims to ensure that the principles of universality, performance, country, representation and gender equity, remain the focus for the AJP participation. In addition, a number of other technical principles and rules have been established to provide a basis for the development of the AJP Qualification System. The ranking is the most fair way of awarding the effort and the talent of each athlete that signs up to one of the AJP tournaments throughout the year. It is also a great incentive for more and more athletes to take part in as many events as they can. The next pages will explain how the ranking works and the new changes. Have a good read, put on your gi and go out there to add points right away.
How does the ranking work and what are the main changes?
The raking period will be in general for 24 months. The Seven (7) best results during next season (12 months’ period) will count + one extra (8th) result from the Continental Pro + the result of Abu Dhabi World Professional Championship, starting from May 1st, 2019. The points for each individual tournament will expire as follows: • From May 1, 2019 to April 30th, 2020 the points will count 100%. • After May 1, 2020 the points will be reduced to 50%. • After May 1, 2021 the points will be reduced to 0 and not count anymore. The dividing line is the first week of May 2020. Example: If tournament is held in first week of May 2019, the points are reduced to half on the first week on May 2020 and expired in the first week of May 2021.
How to add points in the ranking?
You add points in the ranking by at least participating in one of the events of the AJP calendar (the current calendar started on May 1, 2019 and ends on April 30, 2020). There are five kinds of events in terms of how many points you’ll get: ADWPJJC; Abu Dhabi Grand Slam; Continental Pro; National Pro; International Pro;
Here are the number of points athletes will earn on each event depending on their performance.
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How many rankings are there?
The AJP has divided the ranking in several categories. You can say that the two most important are male adult black belt and female adult brown/black belt. Each belt has its own ranking starting with white belts. You also have a ranking in the male master division, an academy ranking, continental and country rankings. There are also No-Gi rankings. Here are a few examples of how to count an athlete’s points.
For what else is the ranking used for by the AJP? The Federation will use the ranking to decide your position on the bracket of the ADWPJJC. It will also use the ranking to invite athletes to compete in the ADWPJJC. In addition the ranking will be used to select fighters for the new Abu Dhabi King of Mats through Continental Ranking and Grand Slam Placements. What else do you need to know about the ranking? Yes. There are a few details you need to know about the ranking. If you are alone in a division, you won’t earn points in the ranking. If you change belts during the season, you lose the points from the previous belt. The same happens if you change age divisions during the calendar. Due to the academies ranking, the AJP will not change an athlete’s team during the same season. Another features to be implemented are that athletes will get points for not only placements, but also for each matches won. For example, athletes can get a certain point for a gold medal, but will also earn extra points for each win. So if athletes win a really large bracket that could lead award more points than smaller brackets. On top on that athletes will be awarded even extra points for different type of wins, for example winning by advantage or by submissions.
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Are there any more novelties in the ranking for the 20192020 season? In case of equality of total RANK points, the higher ranking will be decided by:
1. The highest sum of the current points from World Pro. 2. The highest sum of the current points from all Grand Slams. 3. The highest sum of the current points from all Continental Pro, followed by National Pro, International Pro and Regional Championships. 4. The highest current points from one single event, then, if needed, the second highest, and so on. 5. If the competitors are still equal the decision will be taken by the number of matches done by the fighter through the season, followed by the fastest submission(s) or who made more points during the matches in case of World Pro Qualification. Scan here for more info https://ajptour.com/en/rankings/ajp-world-rank-definitions
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ABU DHABI GRAND SLAM LOS ANGELES
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In the city that turns people into legends, Jiu-Jitsu warriors fought hard to join the short list of Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Los Angeles champions Words: Ivan Trindade | Images: Ane Nunes, Ivan Trindade, Alyssa Wilson
In 2015, a new event landed in one of Jiu-Jitsu’s most vibrant hot spots in the world. The Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Jiu-Jitsu Tour took over the Felix Event Center, in Azusa, one of the suburbs in the greater Los Angeles area. Since the first edition, competitors knew that the ADGS was the place to be yearly. With production at the highest level and fierce competition on the mats, the Grand Slam LA was born a classic. Fast forward five years and the event was back to Azusa on September 14-15, for two days of thrilling action. Now a part of the highly acclaimed AJP Tour, the ADGS LA once again brought together some of the best competitors in the world. In the next pages, you will relive all the thrills that kept the crowd on the stands and those watching at home on their feet the whole time.
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ADULT MALE BLACK BELT
Two Stops for Gold In two matches, Kalel Santos beat Estevan Martinez twice to secure the title. First he built a 3-1 lead on advantages. In the second match, the edge for Kalel was even narrower, as a 2-1 lead on advantages was enough to secure the title.
Kalel Santos
USA
Brazil
Work hard for a goal, not for applauses
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Estevan Martinez
Kalel Santos
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The comfort zone is a wonderful place, but nothing grows there Gabriel Sousa
Sweet Redemption
Cleber Fernandes
Gabriel Sousa
Brazil
Brazil
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Francisco Jonas Andrade Brazil
The champion is back. First, Gabriel Sousa had the chance to get back at Francisco Jonas Andrade after the defeat at the ADGS Tokyo final. A 2-0 lead on advantages was the narrow edge that took Gabriel to the final. On the other side of the bracket, Cleber Fernandes fought twice to reach the gold medal match. He first finished João Figueiredo and then beat Hiago George 2-0. In the final, Gabriel waged an all out war against Cleber that ended with a tie and a split referees decision in favor of Gabriel, who now has two gold medals in three ADGS events in the season. Francisco Jonas Andrade completed the podium in third place after beating João Figueiredo (4-0) and Vincent Saenz (1-0 on advantages) in the bronze medal bracket.
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Back to the Top In a crowded bracket, both finalists had to work hard to get a chance to compete for the gold medal. Israel Almeida beat Jonathan Van Buren 15-0 to meet Lee Ting and win with a 6-2 lead. In the semifinal, Israel beat Thiago Macedo 3-0 on advantages. On the other side of the bracket, ADGS Moscow champion Diego “Pato” Batista first beat Alberto Serrano 4-2 and then repeated the score against Rafael Mansur in the semifinals. In the gold medal match, a late sweep by Pato granted him the two points that settled the score in 4-2 for the Cicero Costha athlete, who is now a 2X black belt champion in the 2019/2020 ADGS season. Thiago Macedo secured the bronze medal after beating Ariel Tabak (2-0) and Rafael Mansur (refs decision) in the third place bracket.
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Diego Batista
Brazil
Brazil
Thiago Macedo Brazil
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Israel Almeida
Anything anyone can do, I can do better! Diego “Pato” Batista
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The Highest Bar
Diego Ramalho
Jaime Canuto
Brazil
Brazil
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Victor Silvério Brazil
A warrior never backs from a fight. God knows all
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With the bracket filled with talent, the finalists had no shortcuts on their way to the title. Defending his hegemony after wins in Moscow and Tokyo, Diego Ramalho first beat Nathan Cheung 2-0 and then Caio Caetano by a narrow 2-0 lead on advantages in the semifinals. Jaime Canuto also fought twice on his way to the gold medal match. He beat Victor Silvério 2-0 on advantages and then waged war against new talent Johnata Alves, wining by a narrow 2-0 lead on advantages. The final was a nailbiter and Canuto managed a near guard pass in the very end to put the score at 2-1 on advantages and secure the title. Victor Silvério finished in third place after beating Saul Viayra (1-0on Advantages), Caio Caetano (1-0 on advantages) and Nathan Chueng (2-0) in the bronze medal bracket.
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Strength from Above
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It’s not about me, it’s about Him to be glorious in my life. Glory to God. Manuel Ribamar
No rest for the finalists in the division. Even after competing in the very tough ADKOM middleweight bracket on Saturday, Manuel Ribamar was back on Sunday and debuted with a 3-0 lead on advantages to beat upcoming talent Ronaldo Junior. Then, he faced Jose Luna in the semifinal and was able to build a 2-0 lead on points to secure his spot in the gold medal match. Marcos Tinoco fought once to make it to the final, beating Mauricio Neto 1-0 on penalties. In the final, Ribamar fought until the very end to secure the title. A near sweep was the movement that granted him a second advantage and the 2-1 score that made Manuel Filho the champion. Mauricio Neto finished third after beating Guthierry Barbosa (7-0) and Jose Luna (2-0) in the bronze medal bracket.
Marcos Tinoco
Manuel Ribamar
Brazil
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Mauricio Neto Brazil
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Opportunity Taken With the usual suspects out of the mix, new talent took over the division. Fernando Reis fought twice to reach the final, first finishing Renato Tagliari and then beating Hygor Brito by referee decision following a close match. On the other side of the bracket, Fellipe Trovo also had his hands full with a 3-2 win on advantages over Anton Minenko and a triangle choke submission on Wellington Modena. In the final, Reis and Trovo kept things close, including the 4-4 tie on the scoreboard. After the final whistle, all three judges pointed Reis as the champion. Renato Tagliari finished in third place after finishing Wellington Modena and beating Rafael Lima (2-1 on advantages) in the bronze medal bracket.
Fernando Reis
Brazil
Brazil
Renato Tagliari Brazil
God gives the toughest battles to His toughest soldiers
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Fellipe Trovo
Fernando Reis
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120kg
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When the final goal is achieved, all effort makes sense. Make your own history Ricardo Evangelista
Experience Pays Off In another star-studded division, Ricardo Evangelista and Gerard Labinski fought their way to the final through very tough matches. Labinski beat Gustavo Dias with a toehold finish while Evangelista was able to build a 8-4 lead on Victor Hugo Martins. In the final, Ricardo fought accordingly to a well set strategy and built a 4-2 lead over Labinski that secured him the title. Victor Hugo Martins completed the podium after beating Felipe Bezerra (4-0) and Gustavo Dias (WO) in the bronze medal bracket.
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Gerard Labinski
Ricardo Evangelista
Poland
Brazil
Victor Hugo Martins Brazil
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ADULT FEMALE BROWN/BLACK BELT
New Queen
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Mayssa Bastos was a big favorite to maintain her domain over the division, but along came a brown belt called Brenda Larissa. Mayssa fought once to reach the final and as usual caught her opponent with a choke from the back. Kimberly Anderson was the victim this time. On the other side of the bracket, Larissa beat Ni Ni Hoang 9-2 to reach the gold medal match. In the final, Brenda scored an advantage early and then kept her cool to hold off Mayssa until the clock ran out. The division has a new champion. Ni Ni Hoang completed the podium with a finish on Kimberly Anderson in the bronze medal bracket.
Compete without putting too much pressure on your performance. That’s how it becomes fun
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Mayssa Bastos
Brenda Larissa
Poland
Brazil
Ni Ni Hoang Canada
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Golden Debut In an exciting bracket, Ana Rodrigues fought twice to reach the final in her first ever competition as a black belt. She beat ADGS Tokyo champion Hope Douglass 2-0 and met up with Amanda Nogueira in the semifinal. She secured her spot in the final via referee decision. Amal Amjahid finished Elina Moestan with a bow and arrow choke to reach the final. In the gold medal match, Amal and Ana were very careful all throughout the final. After a 0-0 tie on points, Ana secured the title via referees decision. Amanda Nogueira completed the podium with a submissions over Ashley Baker and Elina Moestan in the bronze medal bracket.
Ana Rodrigues
Belgium
Brazil
Amanda Nogueira Canada
I can’t put into words what I feel when I’m on the mats. Look into my eyes to see how much I love to figh
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Amal Amjahid
Anna Rodrigues
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Back in Business Luiza Monteiro went back in the mix to fight once and secure her spot in the final. She beat Janaina Menezes 2-0 and then got an Walk Over win over Nicole Sullivan. On the other side of the bracket, Italy’s Margot Ciccarelli beat Natalie Van Hamersveld 4-2 on points and then caught Kayla Patterson with a triangle choke in the semifinals. In the final, Luiza went right to work and quickly built a 7-2 lead, which she secured it until the end to claim the gold medal. Janaina Menezes finished third after beating Kayla Patterson (refs decision) and finishing Nicole Sullivan in the bronze medal bracket.
Luiza Monteiro
Italy
Brazil
Janaina Menezes Brazil
The mat is my happy place and I always give 100%
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Margot Ciccareli
Luiza Monteiro
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The Ruler’s Return
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Let your light shine! Find out who you are instead of worrying about what people say about you
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Thamara Silva
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The champion is back. Winner of four out of five ADGS events in the 2018/2019 season, Thamara Silva went back in after seating out in Moscow and Tokyo. She made it to the final with a 7-2 win over Woods Heather and then an armbar finish on Sarah Draht in the semifinals. On the other side of the bracket, Gabrielle McComb first finished ADGS Tokyo champion Martina Gramenius with a choke from the back and then caught Emilly Silva with a triangle choke in the semifinals. In the gold medal match, Thamara wasted no time and found an armbar to tap McComb and take back her place at the top of the podium. Martina Gramenius finished third after beating Sarah Draht (1-0 on advantages) and Emilly Silva (refs decision) in the bronze medal bracket.
Gabrielle McComb
Thamara Silva
Brazil
Brazil
Martina Gramenius Sweden
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A Champion’s Routine Gabrieli Pessanha was touched by luck as both opponents on her side of the bracket forfeited the competition, allowing her to get to the final without breaking a sweat. On the other side, the USA’s Kendall Reusing had to take the long route to the final. She first beat Rafaela Ribeiro 2-0 and then met up with fellow American Kim Bowser, winning with a 2-0 lead on points. In the final, Gabi and Kendall played safe and respected each other’s games a lot. After a 0-0 tie on points, the referees decided in favor of Gabi, who stays at the top of the division with another gold medal. Rafaela Ribeiro finished third after beating Leandra Poole (1-0 on advantages), Luna Barea (WO) and Kim Bowser (4-0) in the bronze medal bracket.
Gabrieli Pessanha
USA
Brazil
Rafaela Ribeiro Brazil
After four months away from my family I can say mission accomplished
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Kendall Reusing
Gabrieli Pessanha
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ABU DHABI GRAND SLAM Los Angeles – Masters, Color Belts
Show Stoppers Masters and color belt champions awe the audience in Los Angeles with full effort in search of the ultimate glory Words: Ivan Trindade | Images: Ane Nunes
Young or experienced, the talent showcased in each event in the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Tour is ever growing. The ADGS Los Angeles, on September 14-15, in Azusa, was another great example of how alive the local and also the global scene is. From promising blue belts from Brazil, USA and the UAE, who dominated the top of the podium, to the purple and brown belt where Brazil had a more solid control, the crowd was treated to great matches in all divisions. In the Masters division, talent came from all over the world to grab their gold medals. You had champions from Portugal, Peru, Sweden, Germany and Brazil. Those are competitors 30 years of age or older that adopted Jiu-Jitsu as their life’s passion. In the following pages, you will relive some of the action they performed at the Felix Events Center.
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Washington Luis beat Justin Ordinario 2-0 with a sweep to win the Master 1, 56kg division title
In the Master 1, 77kg division, Sergio Rios beat Stephen Haggert 2-0 to take the title home
In the Master 1, 62kg division, Gabriel Moraes beat Rene Lopez by referees decision after a 2-2 tie to claim the gold medal
Denilson Pimenta found a choke from the back to finish Ermilio Lima to become the Master 1, 69kg division champion
With a sweep and guard pass, Alan Nascimento beat Hector Beltran to secure the Master 1, 85kg division gold medal Number 21 - 2019
From Portugal, Yan Cabral swept Mauricio Antunes to build a 2-0 lead and win the title in the Master 1, 94kg division
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Igor Silva won the Master 1, 120kg division with a 2-0 lead on advantages over Marcio Junior
Samantha Valkenhaus was one of young American talents who conquered a gold medal in the blue belt division
In the purple belt division, champions like American Martiece Thompson proved they have their game on point for any challenge
Saif Theban is another great talent from the UAE who won his division in the blue belt division
Roiter Lima was another talented Brazilian in the mix, winning the adult brown belt 56kg division
From Brazil, Vinicius Aquino put quite a performance in the adult purple belt 120kg weight class
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Results
ADULT DIVISION BROWN BELT MAle Lima 56kg Roiter Brazil Gaudio 62kg Gabriel Mexico
Nations Podium Brazil
19240pts
USA
17980pts
UAE
10020pts
Sodre 69kg Raimundo Brazil Protasio 77kg Lucas Brazil
Nascimento 85kg Lucas Brazil dos Santos 94kg Erich Brazil Munis 120kg Anderson Brazil
PURPLE BELT MAle Cespedes 56kg Frank Mexico
Teams Podium
Carrasco 62kg Keven USA
6160pts
Atos JJ
Al Wahda Club Jiu-Jitsu Academy 5200pts
3480pts
Alliance
Mendes 69kg Gabriel Brazil
Pessanha 77kg Jhonathan Brazil Ramos 85kg Jansen Brazil Neto 94kg Rui Brazil Aquino 120kg Vinicius Brazil
feMAle Wadima Alyafei 49kg UAE Martiece Thompson 55kg USA
MASTER BLACK BELT Master 1 Washington de Lima 56kg Brazil Gabriel Moraes 62kg Brazil Denilson Pimenta 69kg Brazil Sergio Rios 77kg Brazil
Alan do Nascimento 85kg Sweden Yan Cabral 94kg Portugal
120kg Igor Silva Brazil
Blanca Macedo 62kg USA
Larissa Almeida 70kg Brazil Mariana Gil 95kg Mexico
BLUE BELT MAle Alkatheeri 56kg Zayed UAE Theban 62kg Saif UAE Aljneibi 69kg Abdulla UAE Qiro 77kg Jorgji USA
Patterson 85kg Jason USA Aoun 94kg Dory USA
Master 2 Carpio 69 kg Gustavo Peru Britto 77kg Jorge Portugal
Graalfs 85kg Robert Germany Andrezzo 94kg Marco Brazil
Larios 120kg Jonathan USA
feMAle Castro 49kg Yasmin USA Valkenhaus 55kg Samantha USA dos Santos 62kg Larissa Brazil Dourado 70kg Gabrielli Brazil Al Ameri 95kg Mariam UAE
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ABU DHABI KING OF MATS - MIDDLEWEIGHT
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The A-Lister Gustavo Batista reaches stardom in Los Angeles with impeccable campaign at the Abu Dhabi King of Mats middleweight bracket Words: Ivan Trindade | Images: Ane Nunes, Ivan Trindade
Gustavo Batista lives the Jiu-Jitsu lifestyle 24/7. Alongside her girlfriend and fellow competitor Luiza Monteiro, Batista is in a constant search for a better performance on the mats. That approach includes a mindful take on all he eats, drinks, how he trains and how he rests, as well as the challenges he chooses to take on. On September 14, Gustavo took on one of the biggest challenges of his still young career, when he entered the talent-stacked middleweight bracket of the Abu Dhabi King of Mats series. With eight of the best competitors under 85kg in the world all going hard for the top position, it was no easy task to actually reach the top. With tons of drive, the right amount of technique and what seemed to be infinite gas in the tank, Gustavo powered through the opposition and made it to the highest step on the podium. “I felt great! I trained really hard to be here. After five intense battles, the work is done,” said Gustavo after the final win. In the next pages, you’ll relive the thrills of an intense day of Jiu-Jitsu in Los Angeles.
“I felt great! I trained really hard to be here. After five intense battles, the work is done!” Gustavo Batista
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GROUP STAGE
Round 1
GROUP STAGE
On Group A, Norway’s Tommy Langaker hit the ground running to catch Diego Ramalho with an armbar to win via submission. Gustavo Batista closed round 1 with a dominant performance against Marcos Tinoco to build a 14-0 lead and take the win by points. On Group B, Manuel Ribamar was able to upset fan favorite Isaque Bahiense with a very strategic game that led to a 1-1 tie on advantages and a split referees decision win. In another close match, Sweden’s Max Lindblad beat American Nathan Mendelsohn 1-0 on advantages.
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GROUP STAGE
Round 2
GROUP STAGE
On Group A, Marcos Tinoco came back from his losing debut to catch Diego Ramalho with a foot lock. The group closed round 2 with Gustavo Batista being able to score a 1-0 lead on advantages over Tommy Langaker for his second victory in the bracket. On Group B, Isaque Bahiense bounced back from a loss on round 1 to catch Nathan Mendelsohn with an armbar. Max Lindblad closed round 2 with a 8-6 lead on points over Manuel Ribamar to reach his second victory in the bracket.
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GROUP STAGE
Round 3
GROUP STAGE
On Group A, Marcos Tinoco secured his spot in the semifinals with a narrow referees decision win over Tommy Langaker following a 2-2 tie on points. Gustavo Batista also made it to the semifinals with a third win in three matches. He closed his group stage campaign with a choke from the back finish on Diego Ramalho. On Group B, Isaque Bahiense made it to the semifinals with a 2-1 lead on advantages over Max Lindblad. The second match in the group could have put Manuel Ribamar in the semifinals, but he was unable to finish Nathan Mendelsohn and settled for a 2-0 win on points, leaving the second spot in the semifinals to Lindblad.
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SEMIFINALS
Gustavo Batista vs. Max Lindblad
SEMIFINALS
Batista wasted no time in establishing control over the match. He quickly worked his way to Lindblad’s back and found his grips to sink in a bow and arrow choke that left the Swedish opponent no other option than to tap.
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SEMIFINALS
Isaque Bahiense vs. Marcos Tinoco
SEMIFINALS
In a very close match. Tinoco gave Bahiense all kinds of troubles and only a 1-0 lead on advantages was the narrow edge that put Isaque in the final after a thrilling six minutes of Jiu-Jitsu went by.
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THIRD PLACE MATCH
Marcos Tinoco vs. Max Lindblad
THIRD PLACE MATCH
Tinoco crowned his brilliant campaign in Los Angeles with a savage finish on Lindblad to secure his spot in the podium. The weapon of choice was an intense Estima lock that made Lindblad scream for the tap and be unable to step on that foot after the match was over.
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FINAL
Gustavo Batista vs. Isaque Bahiense
FINAL
Final
The two finalists were the favorites to be in the title match and they confirmed the crowd’s expectations. Also as expected, the final was a very tough and close match decided by details. Batista played his top game and was able to score a 2-0 lead with a takedown early in the match. He held on against Isaque’s sweep attempts and as the clock ran out was able to celebrate his title.
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AJP WORLD TOUR Words: Ivan Trindade | Images: AJP
Salvador
Brazil / July 14, 2019
Abu Dhabi International Pro The Jiu-Jitsu community in the Northeast region of Brazil got together on July 14 for a full day of matches. The Abu Dhabi International Pro – Salvador, organized by the AJP Brazil, was a huge success. In the teams competition, results were: 1st – Nova União 1840pts; 2nd – GF Team 1320pts; Nordeste JiuJitsu 1110pts. Scan here for the complete results.
Baku
Azerbaijan / August 4, 2019
Abu Dhabi National Pro Jiu-Jitsu is a huge passion in Asia. The Abu Dhabi National Pro – Azerbaijan was another instance of success for the sport in the continent. Hundreds of athletes celebrated their love for the art on August 4. In the teams competition, results were: 1st – Ludus International 4620pts; 2nd – JGBJJ Team 3470pts; 3rd – Iran Jiu-Jitsu Academy 1860pts. Scan here for the complete results.
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Brazil / August 18, 2019
Manaus
Abu Dhabi International Pro The northern Brazilian state of Amazonas is the birthplace of so much talented Jiu-Jitsu champions it’s hard to count them all. The sport is an all-out passion in the region and the Abu Dhabi International Pro – Manaus, on August 18, was yet another event that showcased the strength of the art in the Amazon. In the teams competition, results were: 1st – Nova União 3545pts; 2nd – Associação Monteiro 3195pts; 3rd – GF Team 1900pts. Scan here for the complete results.
Brazil / August 25, 2019
Cuiaba Abu Dhabi International Pro The Pantanal region of Brazil is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Unfortunately the athletes competing in the Abu Dhabi International Pro – Cuiabá, on August 25, had no time to gaze at nature’s wonders. There were lots of hard work put on the mats in search of the coveted gold medals. In the teams competition, results were: 1st – Cowboy Jiu-Jitsu 4210pts; 2nd – Zenith 3785pts; 3rd – Gracie Barra 3380pts. Scan here for the complete results.
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Baikal
Russia / September 14-15, 2019
Abu Dhabi International Pro There’s a Jiu-Jitsu hotbed in the region between southern Russia and northern Mongolia. The city of Irkutsk, on the shores of lake Baikal welcomed the community on September 14-15 for a full day of matches at the Abu Dhabi International Pro – Baikal. The event was a complete success with gi and No-Gi divisions for athletes of all genders, ages and skill levels. In the teams competition, results were: 1st – Strela Team 5185pts; 2nd – Kolovrat BJJ Association 2465pts; 3rd – Garuda 1750pts. Scan here for the complete results.
Panamá
Panamá / October 6, 2019 Abu Dhabi National Pro Jiu-Jitsu is experiencing nonstop growth in Central America. Panama is one of the places responsible for the sport becoming so popular in the region. The Abu Dhabi National Pro – Panama brought the crowds together in panama City on October 6 as hundreds of athletes tested their skills on the mats. In the teams competition, results were: 1st – Mauro Sergio BJJ 2840pts; 2nd – Atos JJ 1860pts; 3rd – GF Team 1570pts. Scan here for the complete results.
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Bosnia & Herzegovina / September 21, 2019
Tuzla
Abu Dhabi National Pro Hundreds of athletes flocked to the city of Tuzla for a thrilling day of competition at the Abu Dhabi National Pro – Bosnia & Herzegovina. The event was a huge success with competitors coming from all over the European continent testing their skills on the mats. In the teams competition, results were: 1st – Icon Jiu-Jitsu Team 1720pts; 2nd – Peter Schira International 1710pts; 3rd – Roots BJJ 1490pts. Scan here for the complete results.
Mongolia / September 21-22, 2019
Ulaanbaatar Abu Dhabi International Pro For two days, the Jiu-Jitsu crowd in East Asia gathered in Mongolia for the Abu Dhabi International Pro – Ulaanbaatar, on September 21-22, 2019. Hundreds of athletes of all ages and color belts tested their skills on the mats in search of the ultimate glory. In the teams competition, results were: 1st – Garuda 2480pts; 2nd – Ikh Shavi Dojo 940pts; 3rd – Shine Badrakh Jiu-Jitsu 870pts. Scan here for the complete results.
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Ojisek
Croatia / October 5, 2019
Abu Dhabi International Pro Croatia is a breeding ground for Jiu-Jitsu in Europe. The Abu Dhabi International Pro – Osijek, on October 5, was the perfect setting for competitors all over the continent to test their skills at the highest level. With impeccable production, the event broke ground for bigger things to come in the near future. In the teams competition, results were: 1st - Rio Grappling Club Croatia 2140pts; 2nd – Mladost Bd 995pts; 3rd – Gracie Barra Ljubljana 470pts. Scan here for the complete results.
Barueri
Brazil / October 6, 2019 Abu Dhabi International Pro The State of São Paulo is one of the most fruitful places in Brazil when it comes to Jiu-Jitsu talent. Hundreds of those talented competitors gathered on October 6 for the Abu Dhabi International Pro – Barueri. The event was a huge success with athletes of all ages and skill levels competing for the gold medal. In the teams competition, results were: 1 – Gracie Barra 2538pts; 2nd – Alliance 2065pts; 3rd – PSLPB Cicero Costha 1870pts. Scan here for the complete results.
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Russia / October 12, 2019
Moscow
Abu Dhabi National Pro After the great success of the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Moscow, the Russian capital once again embraced the Jiu-Jitsu community on October 12. The Abu Dhabi National Pro – Russia was a huge success with athletes from all over the country and abroad coming together to test their skills in both Gi and nogi divisions. In the teams competitions, results were: 1st – Ludus Team 10640pts; 2nd – Kristian Cestaro JJA 4890pts; 3rd – ZR Team 2490pts. Scan here for the complete results.
Germany / October 19, 2019
Maintal Abu Dhabi National Pro The AJP Tour landed in Maintal on October 19 for the Abu Dhabi National Pro – Germany. Hundreds of athletes from all over Europe gave their best on the mats as they competed for valuable points in the annual AJP athletes ranking. In the teams competition, results were: 1st – GF Team 1170pts; 2nd – NS Brotherhood 840pts; 3rd – Atos JJ 700pts. Scan here for the complete results.
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CHAMPION’S CLASS
Luiza Monteiro’s Guard Pass and Mount
Luiza begins with one leg trapped in her opponent’s guard
Unravel the technical secrets of the ADGS Los Angeles 62kg brown/black belt division champion
For more pressure, Luiza brings her head closer to the opponent’s head and uses a grip to the sleeve for the pass
Words: Ivan Trindade | Images: Ane Nunes
Luiza Monteiro wasted no time to score seven points in the ADGS LA brown/black belt 62kg division final. She quickly applied pressure to Margot Ciccarelli’s guard and worked her way to a full mount. In the next two pages, we will try to lead you step by step through what Luiza did to reach such a dominant position in such little time.
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Trying to defend the mount, the opponent shrimps to avoid the mount
Luiza makes the final push and passes her leg over the opponent’s leg to establish the mount Jiu-Jitsu World
She then changes position and opens space to free her leg from the guard
She then makes a grip to the opponent’s shoulder and moves forward
Luiza now prepares the final push as she uses her hand to put the opponent’s blocking leg on the ground and pass
With the opponent’s leg on the ground, Luiza is free to pass and secure the points
Once mounted, Luiza keeps his body close to the opponent’s to secure the points
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With the opponent’s back on the mat, Luiza continues to move forward to overcome the opponent’s legs
Preparing the mount, Luiza uses her weight to flatten the opponent’s body on the mat
Mounted, Luiza brings her hips forward to the opponent’s chest to start working on a choke from mount.
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PREVIEW
Crown Chasers Rio de Janeiro will heat up as six of the toughest and most skilled black belts in the world battle to become the first ever lightweight Abu Dhabi Queen of Mats Words: Ivan Trindade | Images: Ane Nunes
The long wait is over. In early October, the AJP announced it would be fulfilling a long request from its fan base and also its valuable competitors. After the successful series of Abu Dhabi King of mats events, it’s time for the female division to step in the spotlight in search of the greatest of prizes. The Abu Dhabi Queen of Mats will kick off on the weekend of November 1-3, 2019, in the Jiu-Jitsu hollow grounds of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It’s time to know a little more about each one of the six fierce warriors who will battle to become the first Queen of Mats.
Ana Talita Alencar The 2017 ADWPJJC champion in the 55kg weight class will be in Rio to prove she has stayed in the top shelf when it comes to her performance on the mats. Ana Talita is known for her relentless pursue of dominant position to have the chance to submit her opponents. She’s a great addition to the roster of crown contenders.
Mayssa Bastos Competing at the 49kg division, Mayssa is virtually unbeatable. She is the only athlete to have won gold medals at the ADWPJJC since the weight class was introduced in 2017. One of the most active black belts in the AJP Tour, Mayssa is not afraid of challenges and will face heavier opponents head on.
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Bianca Basilio A two-time ADWPJJC brown/black champion (2018/2019), Bia Basílio brings with her all the credentials she need to be considered a top contender for the crown. No opponent is safe from her fierce attacks to the legs and feet. It will be no surprise to see Basílio among the final four in the semifinals.
Amal Amjahid From Belgium, Amal shocked the world, while still a brown belt, when she made it to the top of the podium at the 2018 ADWPJJC, defeating much more experienced black belts in the 55kg division. Since then, she has maintained a steady flow of great results at AJP Tour events. Winning the crown in Rio will certainly be Amjahid’s greatest moment on the mats.
Luiza Monteiro Another heavy hitter when it comes to female Jiu-Jitsu, Luiza Monteiro has won almost everything. With an aggressive style that include pressure passes and strong submissions, Luiza wants the crown to make her collection of trophies even richer. Fresh from a gold medal performance at the ADGS Los Angeles, who doubts she has the talent and will power to do it.
Ana Rodrigues Recently promoted to the black belt ranking, Ana Rodrigues gained a lot of experience competing against black belts in the AJP Tour on her brown belt years. The gold medal at the AGDS LA is proof that she is ready for bigger talents. Ana has said many times that she has a loving relation with Jiu-Jitsu. In Rio, she hopes to have a happy ending to another chapter of that love story.
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OPINION
Mohammed Al Housani Jiu-Jitsu Analyst / Commentator
The History of the Abu Dhabi Jiu -Jitsu Pro Tour Rankings Learn more about the system that has transformed the Jiu-Jitsu scene and stimulated the competition at the highest level between the best athletes in the world In any legitimate sport, the spirit of competition runs high between the athletes or teams, and different formats have been established throughout history to find out who the best man, woman or team is. Whether it was through a league, tournament, best out of 3, or any other system out there. The format that stands out for me the most is the long-haul format. The format that stretches for days and months in order to find out who the best competitor is, taking out the possibilities of fluke wins and “best on the day” performances that are evident in tournaments with knockout formats. It’s true that Jiu-Jitsu is based on a tournament format, and the loser gets knocked out after a loss (or given a chance in specific events such as the Grand Slam, where they get into the repechage rounds for a chance to gain at least a bronze medal), but with a rankings format such as the Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Pro (AJP) events, the tournament is but a peg in a bigger wheel. By the end of the season, we would arrive at the conclusion of having the best of the best at the top, regardless of one or two
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bad days on the mats on any given day. This is why the season format and rankings appeal to many Jiu-Jitsu athletes out there. The most coveted category in the AJP Rankings are the Black Belt Male and Brown/Black Belt Female Divisions. Starting with the Male category, and looking back at the previous winners of the $25,000 cash prize, where names such as Erberth Santos, Jose Junior and Igor Silva achieved the top spot, we all witnessed a trend being broken last season to the relief of most within the UAE Jiu-Jitsu community. Based on the names that won before last season, it was all about the Heavyweights, so it must have felt good to break that trend within the Rankings, with the lightest competitor after 4 seasons winning it this time, the impressive Joao Gabriel Sousa. This showed that the ranking system puts everyone on a leveled playing field and awards participation and consistent performances. The Female category was no different, as Heavyweights such as Tayane Porfirio, Nathiely Jesus, Larissa Paes and Gabrieli Pessanha took the main prize for females. A trend that doesn’t
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look like it’s going to change this season, especially with perennial “Top 3” contender the past 2 years, Mayssa Bastos shockingly losing in the LA Grand Slam recently. If there ever was an unlucky competitor in the history of the rankings, it has to be Bastos. She comes so close every season to the championship, but shocking or unexpected losses cause her to lose the race by a small margin. Another trend worth looking into is that Brazilians dominated the main 2 categories since its inception, and we are yet to see a non-Brazilian win that top spot. Based on the trajectory this season, it doesn’t look like it will be the year that record is broken. Another important prize is that which looks to the future, Brown Belt Male. A prize that saw competitors such as Nicholas Meregali win it and go on to future superstardom, while competitors such as Thalison Soares who won it last season continues to show promising potential as a future superstar black belt. In addition to the individual prizes on offer, history was made last year in the Best Academy category, as a UAE Academy
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broke into the “Top 3” for the first time, joining the likes of established teams such as GFTeam and Checkmat at the top of the table. It will be interesting to see if they can maintain the “Top 3” spot this year as well. This season will be interesting, given what we have seen so far. It’s still early to tell what will happen by April but we can see hints of how the rankings will play out in some of the categories. Current holder, Joao Gabriel Batista is currently in the top spot and is on course to make history as the only champion to defend his throne, whereas things in the Female category aren’t any different with Gabrieli Pessanha also aiming for a repeat with her tight hold on the top spot. I wouldn’t be surprised if we get repeats in most of the main categories mentioned above this season as it seems like the champions of last season are back for this season with the same drive and purpose they had last season. Keep your eyes close to the rankings within the next few months as we have major events coming up in Rio, Abu Dhabi and London, which can promise a maximum of 600 points for the winners!
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TRAVEL AND ROLL
Rio’s best for Jiu-Jitsu travelers Discover what the wonderful city has to offer those who travel to train and compete Words: Ivan Trindade | Images: Ane Nunes
Every year, by the end of October and the beginning of November, the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Rio motivates a pilgrimage of Jiu-Jitsu fans and practitioners to Brazil’s most famous city and also one of Jiu-Jitsu most important global hubs. Rio de Janeiro lives and breathes the gentle art and it is safe to say that only soccer, Brazil’s national passion, surpasses Jiu-Jitsu in popularity when it comes to sport activities. With that in mind, we have prepared a quick guide for those landing in Rio on November 1-3 for the 2019 ADGS Tour. Here are a few activities the city has to offer that will make your stay even more meaningful. It’s time to dive into Rio’s Jiu-Jitsu guide.
Workout with a View The Pedra da Gávea hike is a traditional activity Jiu-Jitsu practitioners in Rio love to engage on. It’s great cardio, it puts you in close contact with Brazil’s stunning natural environment and, to top it all, ends with the wonderful view of the city’s coast from almost 3,000 feet. There are tours you can take, but the best way to do it is with a carioca friend that knows their way up the mountain. Wear comfortable shoes, brings lots of water and enjoy.
Train where history was made So many of Jiu-Jitsu most legendary names once had an academy in Rio. The list includes Helio and Carlos Gracie, Carlson Gracie, Rolls Gracie, Alliance’s leaders Romero Cavalcante and Fabio Gurgel, GF Team’s Julio Cesar Pereira, among many others. The masters themselves may not be around anymore, the teams they founded still are. Almost every JiuJitsu academy in Rio has deep roots all the way to the sport’s first popularization. Ask around and find one near you.
Surf and Roll Ask almost any Jiu-Jitsu black belt in Rio what they love to do other than rolling and they will almost always answer with: “Surfing!” Rio’s coast line is fruitful with hotspots for some solid wave riding and the connection between Jiu-Jitsu and Surfing is a strong one in Brazil. Even if you do not know how to stand on a board, you can always just enjoy the city’s beaches with white sands, beautiful people and not so chilly waters.
Eat like a Black Belt Rio has a lot to offer for exhausted and hungry Jiu-Jitsu practitioners. Juice houses are a must go. The açai culture is stronger than anywhere else in the world. There’s coconut water straight from the fruit itself is available on every beach. There’s also the world famous churrascarias (steak houses). On a special tip, save some time to visit the Feira de São Cristovão, a traditional open air market where you can taste all the delicious foods from Brazil’s Northeast region. 92
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