While the Spain National took over the city of Alicante, four countries around the world also had their battlefields set up to receive athletes looking for a chance to prove their worth. As the dust now settles, check out below the highlights of each tournament!
AHMED LAARIBI AND BELLINI DAVIDE REACH THE TOP AT THE LAUSANNE INTERNATIONAL
Although summer is still a couple of weeks away in Switzerland, two tournaments brought the heat early to the Central European country. Both taking place on Saturday, May 20th, the AJP Lausanne Jiu-Jitsu Festival kicked things off with the younger colored belts, showing that the future of the sport is still going strong. Then, the Professional and Master athletes took the stage as the AJP Tour Lausanne International Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2023 began, bringing memorable duels to the crowds at the Salle Omnisports de Grand-Vennes.
Among the fray, Professional black belts Ahmed Laaribi (Atos) and Bellini Davide (BJJ Switzerland) stand as the highlights. The former attained the 77kg gold after scoring 14-0 against Vinicius Azevedo (Checkmat International) in the semis and then winning over the referees' decision after a balanced final match with John Lenno (Karkara BJJ). As for the latter, a submission against German Jurij Schiefenbusch (Europe Nova Jiu-Jitsu Team) in the final round was enough to land the 120 kg division title to Bellini.
Check the full results here!
FOREIGNER ATHLETES STEAL THE SHOW AT THE GEORGIA NATIONAL
Still on Saturday, the AJP Tour Georgia National Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2023 shook the country as athletes flocked over to the city of Tbilisi, hungry to add another achievement to their grappling records. With four fight areas set up in the Judo Academy, colored and black belts duked it out throughout the afternoon, putting their skills and training to the test.
But the tournament’s stand-out black belts weren’t the locals. Iranian Amirhossein Khademian (Anzu Team) defeated Syrian Ahmad Alqadmani (Jiu Jitsu X) with a score of 6-0 to take the Professional 94kg title. Then, in the No-Gi Master 1 94kg division, Dutch athlete Michael Van Ginkel used the scoreboard in the semis and submitted in the finals to take the gold.
Check the full results here!
BRAZILIAN BLACK BELTS CONQUER THE DOUBLE GOLD IN QATAR
On the same day, the AJP Tour Qatar National Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2023 took over the Aspire Ladies Sports Hall, in the city of Doha. With five fight areas, gi and no-gi competitions, and a whole day of fighting, the tournament drew in athletes from all corners of the world, showcasing how far Jiu-Jitsu has spread and how alluring AJP championships have become.
Despite being so far from home, Brazilian black belts still managed to assert their dominance in the Middle-Eastern competition by taking the double gold across many divisions. On the professional side, Vanderlucia Lima (Palm Sports - Team 777) defeated Luzia Lara (Barbosa Jiu-Jitsu) twice. In the gi, Vanderlucia scored last to take her first win. Later, in a no-gi battle, the Palm Sports athlete showed her that the 55kg division belonged to her, as she submitted Luzia for the second gold.
Going over to Master 1, Tallison Costa (A.F.N.T) was a force of nature in the 77kg bracket. First, he went through Mike Martins and Diego Pinheiro, both from UFC Gym Qatar, to take the gold with the gi. Then, without the gi, he submitted Aldir Junior (UFC Gym Qatar) to reach the final, in which he once again defeated Diego Pinheiro.
Still on Master 1, Dante Cano (Elements JJ Bahrain) fought in two different weight classes for his double gold. In the gi, Dante submitted Ives Sacramento (A.F.N.T) to take the 94kg title. For the no-gi, the 120kg final was fought against Frank Dumont (VisionBJJ), with yet another submission ending the bout and putting Dante atop the podium.
Check the full results here!
ALEXA TOTH KEEPS THE DOUBLE GOLD AT HOME IN THE HUNGARY NATIONAL
On Sunday, May 21st, the AJP Tour Hungary National Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2023 capped off the weekend with even more displays of prowess and mettle. With four fight areas set up in the Törökbálint Sports Center, in Budapest, competitors from all ages and graduations had yet another chance to showcase the fruits of their training.
Local brown belt Alexa Toth (ZR Team Association) was the stand-out of the event, as she fought with and without the gi to take the coveted double gold. First, in the gi, she submitted Emirati Maitha Sheraim (Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Club) in the semis and Israeli Meshy Rosenfeld (Soul Fighter Israel) in the final for the 62kg title. Then, in the no-gi bracket, Alexa landed a submission on Polish Malgorzata Ptaszynska (Copacabana Fight Club) to reach the final, which saw her once again coming out on top against Meshy Rosenfeld, this time with a 4-1 score.
Check the full results here!
