GD JIU-JITSU Events in association with the Arizona State Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (AZSBJJF) is proud to announce its 5^thinstallment of the Arizona Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Open. Typically drawing mainly competitors from Arizona and its neighboring states, the AZSBJJF sent an open invitation to teams from other countries to compete and represent their homeland, transforming the AZ Open into an international event for the first time.

The tournament will feature an international black belt match between a seven-time World Champion from Brazil, GMA Robson Moura (Nova Uniao), and 2009’s national champion of Japan, Nobuhiko Kitahara (Axis JJ), who will be travelling from Tokyo to represent the Jiu-Jitsu Federation of Japan.

“The AZSBJJF’s partnership with the Jiu-Jitsu Federation of Japan (JJFJ) started in 2009, when I met its President, Taka Watanabe, at the 2^nd Rickson Gracie International. I was very impressed with their organization and their dedication to making Jiu-Jitsu a popular and organized sport in Japan”, says Gustavo Dantas, Vice-President of the AZSBJJF and promoter of all its events, who is expecting between 400 and 500 competitors on March 13^th and 14^th.

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Arizona had a solid showing

Picture from Graciemag.com

Wellington “Megaton” Dias, Jared Vanderzyl, and Arthur Ruff, secured three bronze medals at the European Jiu-Jitsu Championship in Lisbon, Portugal on Sunday, February 1st.

Megaton took third place in the Black Belt/Feather/Adult. Megaton  is eligible to compete at the Senior 2 division, but keeps challenging himself competing with the young guns in the adult division. Jared Vanderzyl and Arthur Ruff competed in the Master Division, taking the bronze medals in the Middle and the Ultra Heavy division respectively.

Great showing at the third biggest tournament in the world!

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Mackenzie in first place

Source: www.graciemag.com

The European Jiu-Jitsu Championship has grown. Still a child of just seven years, the championship is an absolute success in terms of spectator and participant numbers. “In 2010 there were 1,500 signed up, versus 1,280 in 2009,” said a satisfied Marcelo Siriema, general coordinator of the IBJJF.

This greatness is clear to anyone and sees what is going on in Lisbon, Portugal’s Casal Vistoso gymnasium. Just as with Pan and the Worlds, the European can now only fit into no less than four days. The second day of competition of the European Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2010, on Friday in Lisbon featured Makenzie Dern, who is about to turn 17 years old. The young and beautiful talent comes from noble lineage. The daughter of Wellington “Megaton” Dias, the now-European champion’s  father is her greatest motivator and, at the same time, an unwavering guide. The winner of her weight division in several championships, including the 2009Worlds, Makenzie still still has some time ahead of her before getting her purple belt.

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Issa won 7 matches!

The Abu Dhabi West Coast Trials took place in Santa Cruz, CA on January 24th. Acting as a qualifier for the richest and most prestigious Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu event on the planet, the Abu Dhabi Pro, the West Coast Qualifier featured the best of the best congregating upon the shores of Northern California in the United States.

The winners from the American event will compete against the best grapplers and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athletes from across the world and for the chance at winning a massive USD$145,000 in cash and prizes at the Abu Dhabi Pro on April 15th to 17th. The 2009 AZ BJJ State Champion, Issa Able (GD Jiu-Jitsu/Nova Uniao), will represent Arizona in Abu Dhabi. Issa had seven matches to win the Blue Belt Light weight, and the Blue Belt Open Class under 161 lbs.

Propelled by the support of the government of Abu Dhabi, the Abu Dhabi Pro supported personally by his Highness the SupremePrince and Commander In Chief of the United Arab Emirates National Army, H.H. Sheik Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Winners of the qualifiers will have allairfares,accommodation, and meals paid for and they will also have a chance at the cash and prizes in Abu Dhabi.

Issa Able, who is only 19 years old, was born in Iran, but he has been living in the United States since the age of 11. With only 18 months of training, Issa already has an impressive resume. Since July 2009, besides his AZ State Title, Issa won the 2009 U.S. BJJ Nationals, U.S. No-Gi Nationals, 1st Southwest BJJ Classic, and finished the year winning his first World title at the No-Gi Worlds in Carson, CA, making his instructor, Gustavo Dantas, and his sponsor, “Many Weapons”, very proud. In Abu Dhabi, he will be competing for a chance to win $6000 (Weight class and Open).

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We are expecting almost 500 competitors!

GD JIU-JITSU Events in association with the Arizona State Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (AZSBJJF) is proud to announce the 5th AZ International Open of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The competition will take place on March 13-14 at Westwood High School located at 945 W. 8th St. in Mesa, AZ 85201.

Gracie Mag will be covering the event. Don’t forget to check out their upcoming December issue which will feature an article on the 1st Southwest BJJ Classic.

The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competition will offer kids, juveniles, Adult (Male and Female), Masters and Senior Divisions. There will be international competitors from Mexico, as well as Black Belt competitors representing Brazil. The Jiu-Jitsu Federation of Japan will also send their 2009 National Champion to compete in the Black Belt Division.

Kids Division competitors will now receive the improved 3.5″ medal.

The AZSBJJF Award Ceremony for the 2009 MVP Competitors of the Year and winners of the 2009 Overall School Rankings will be held during the tournament. Winners will receive trophies for their achievements and MVPs will receive a plaque and sponsorship to ALL AZSBJJF tournaments for the year of 2010. Here are the winners:

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Broadnax Brothers in Action

It was another remarkable weekend for Jiu-Jitsu in Arizona. Not only almost 400 competitors displayed great amounts of talent during the two days of tough disputes inside the Gymnasium of Westwood High School, in Mesa, but we also testified a very unique match: The twin brothers Christian and Christopher Broadnax (Nova Uniao Las Vegas) classified for the absolute juvenile final match and did not even think in closing out the bracket. Rather than that, they performed amazingly against each other, with Christian opening a 5-0 lead before catching Christopher in a nasty triangle.

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Southwest Classic Adult Division Champions

Bringing in almost 400 competitors in total to the 1st Southwest Classic, day 2 offered many exciting matches. With the White,
Purple, Brown, and Black Belt Divisions, action was not to hard to find. Here are the results:

Black Belt Division: Coming all the way from Las Vegas, Rod Wilson (Team Mica) won the Senior Medium Heavyweight Division by defeating Gary Matsch (GD Jiu Jitsu) with a single-leg takedown. Representing Yuma BJJ, Jared Vanderzyl submitted Brian Michell (GD Jiu-Jitsu) with an armbar to win the Masters Middle Weight Division. (more…)

Day 1 of the Southwest BJJ Classic started off with the Kids Division and closed with the Blue Belt Division. Here are the standouts
of the day:

Kids Division: Alex Ardavanis (Lion’s Den) found himself the Champion of the largest bracket in the Kids Division, the Jr. Teen,Yellow Belt Featherweight (79 lbs) Division.

Kids Raffle Winner: Luke Stanton (GD Jiu-Jitsu) won his division and the raffle for the Nintendo DS.

Kids Team Results: BJJ Revolution took the Kids Division, winning with 63 points. The fight for 2nd and 3rd place was decided byonly 1 point. Lion’s Den found themselves in 2nd place with 43 points, while 3rd place was shared between Rey Diogo/De Brazil and Team Megaton who both had 42 points.

Southwest Classic Kids Divsion Champions

Rey Diogo/De Brazil tied for 3rd place with Team Megaton

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