July 3, 2023
In the month of June, AJP brought Jiu-Jitsu fans and competitors another batch of stellar tournaments in all corners of the world. Whether it was a National, International, Regional, or even a Grand Prix, there was never a dull moment as the organization made sure that every weekend had its fair share of action. And if you’re familiar with AJP, you know that the following months will be just as high-octane.
As we get ready for a new month filled with action and excitement, check out below the highlights of June!
ADGS Rio: Yatan Bueno chokes to become an ADGS Champion
Taking place on June 10th and 11th, the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam reached the famous shores of Rio de Janeiro to kick off the season 2023-2024 of the World Tour. After a promising first day with a lot of action from purple and brown belt athletes, the second and last day of the event brought to the Arena Carioca 1 the awaited Professional Black Belt finals.
Among all the high-tiered warriors that stepped onto the historic mats of the ADGS Rio on that fateful Sunday, Yatan Bueno shone the brightest. In the crowded 120kg bracket, Yatan overcame foe after foe in his pursuit of the division gold, and reached the nerve-wracking final against Luis "Cantareira" Oliveira.
As the referee signaled the beginning of the match, Luis quickly pulled guard while Yatan sought the side-control. When he managed to reach the position, Yatan didn't waste any time trying to stabilize the position, instead going straight for the back and choking his opponent. The quick submission landed Yatan both the win and the coveted title of ADGS champion.
Jacksonville International: João Costa and Lucas Lima take the double gold
On the last Saturday of the month, June 24th, the AJP Tour Jacksonville International Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2023 reached the US, bringing athletes from all over the world to the state of Florida. Three fight areas were promptly set in the Swisher Gymnasium and all bets were off as athletes from all ages and graduations fought with and without the gi to take the gold and rise through the ranking.
Representing GFTeam in the North American tournament, João Costa dominated both instances of the 69kg division. Starting in the gi, the Brazilian athlete fought a technical final against the local Sebastian Serpa, taking his first gold by 4-3. Later on, João returned to the mats without the cloth to face his fellow countryman Giovanni Carvalho in a one-match bracket that ended with a 6-4 score in favor of GFTeam’s ace.
Meanwhile, in the 77kg division, Lucas Lima used all the tools in his arsenal to take the double gold. With his black belt strapped to his waist, the Gracie Barra BH athlete beat Igor Feliz by 6-3. He then climbed the mats once again, scored 8-0 against the local Colin Taylor, and closed his campaign with a second trip to the top of the podium.
Brazil National: Ronieri Silva steals the limelight and takes the double gold
Calling all Brazilian athletes to action, the AJP Tour Brazil National Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2023 took over the city of Belém on June 18th. With five fight areas set up in the Universidade Estadual do Pará, colored and black belts put their names and training on the line as they battled for glory and for a chance to climb the podium.
Ronieri Silva was the name to look out for in the tournament, as the Castro Team’s athlete launched a winning campaign that culminated in gold medals for both the weight division and the absolute. His journey began in the 85kg bracket, where he first beat Leonardo Souza by 11-1 and Maicon Rodrigues via submission. In the final round, he found himself facing Leonardo once again, but this time a tight armbar spelled the end of the match and the first title for Ronieri.
Later that day, Ronieri returned to AJP mats, this time gunning for the Open Heavyweight title. After submitting Manoel Neto in the semis, the Castro Team black belt showed his prowess by landing another submission, this time against the 120kg division champion Fellipe Praia, to take his second gold.
Dubai International: Sultan Alowais and Yara Kakish become division champions
The AJP Tour Dubai International Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2023, which took place between June 16th and 18th, brought the federation’s signature action nearer to its roots. From June 16th to the 18th, three fight areas took over the Al Nasr Club, welcoming amateurs and professionals alike to test their skills and earn the coveted title of “AJP Champion”.
Representing the Middle East with outstanding performances, Sultan Alowais and Yara Kakish showcased their talents and technique by becoming division champions. In the Men’s 62kg division, Sultan confidently marched onto the mats to face Mehran Sattar in a very technical match that took up the entirety of the regulated time. At the end of it all, Sultan emerged as the winner, with the scoreboard counting 4-1 in favor of the Emirati.
Native from Jordan, Yara Kakish had just one chance to take the 70kg gold medal. In a one-match bracket, Yara stood her ground against the Brazilian Stephany Vieira, ultimately rising to the top of the podium with a well-placed submission.
Kastav International: Emirati rising stars leave their mark in Croatia
On June 24th, the Sports Hall of Kastav in Croatia warmly welcomed practitioners of various skill levels and origins to participate in the AJP Tour Kastav International Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2023. This event, organized by one of the most esteemed federations in the sport, provided an opportunity for colored belts from around the globe to showcase their abilities and put their skills to the test.
The spotlight of the day shone brightly as two Emirati brown belts rose to prominence at the event. The first one was Yousof Alhosani, who scored an astounding 15-0 in the gi against Bruno Ferreira for the 77kg division title. Then, Mohamed Alamri went full throttle for the 85kg no-gi gold, taking down Alen Kontrec by 13-1 and submitting Yousof to take his place atop the podium.
Upcoming: Armenia, UAE, England, Dominican Republic, US, Tajikistan, Portugal, and Angola host their Nationals in July
The month of July may have just begun, but the line-up of events has already been decided and can be seen here, with the National events taking the spotlight. The Armenia National kicks off the action on the first day of the month, followed by the UAE National on July 7th, the England National on July 8th, and the Dominican Republic National, on July 9th. Next up is the US National, on July 15th, with both Tajikistan and Portugal hosting their events on July 23rd. Finally, the Angola National closes the month on July 30th, setting the tone and the action for the following days of competition.
Keep your eyes peeled for the registration dates of each tournament by regularly checking our website at ajptour.com and don’t lose a second of the action!
