November 20, 2023
Following the hectic ten-day streak of the ADWPJJC 2023, which closed the 2022-2023 season and decided the ranking leads for the remainder of the year, AJP has decided to keep the action going and provided its athletes with three tournaments to fight on this weekend. Whether you were in Sofia, Frankfurt, or Dallas, the organization had its mats set up and ready to welcome you into its fray. Let’s check out the highlights from each championship!
AJP Tour Sofia International Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2023: Three professional black belts carve a spot for themselves in Bulgaria
On Saturday, November 18th, the Multifunctional Arena National Sports Academy welcomed athletes for an afternoon of competition and three Professional black belts conquered the gold in their divisions to rise as the tournament’s highlights. First, the local Radoslav Bukorov (Bruno Bastos Jiu-Jitsu Association) entered the 85kg bracket and faced off against the Greek Vassilis Kapirelis (Checkmat International) in a tough match that took up the entirety of the regulated time and ended in favor of the former by 3-1. Another of Bulgaria’s representatives, Alexander Alexandar (Bruno Bastos Jiu-Jitsu Association) also took the win against a Greek athlete, submitting Antonis Kastrisios (GR Phoenix Jiu-Jitsu) to take the 120kg title.
But while Bulgaria overcame Greece twice on the men’s side, Zaiferia Panagiotarakou (Checkmat International) used her skills to turn the tables on the local Violeta Angelova (Bruno Bastos Jiu-Jitsu Association). In the 62kg division, both athletes gave their all during the five minutes of the match, closing the scoreboard at 5-3 in favor of Zaiferia.
Check out the full results here!
AJP Tour Frankfurt International Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2023: Gustavo Pereira submits everyone to take the double gold in Germany
On that same Saturday, the BudoArena Maintal opened its doors to competitors from all over the world, giving a chance for a Brazilian athlete to steal the spotlight in the competition. Representing Top Brother Europe, Gustavo Pereira rose to prominence in the event by conquering the gold in both his weight division and the absolute. His journey began at the 85kg division, where he started by submitting Germany’s Burak Basak (PSLPB Cícero Costha). In the final round, Gustavo went up against his fellow countryman and teammate Renan Malheiro, but that didn’t stop him from scoring seven points and then ending the duel with another submission to take his first title of the day.
However, that wasn’t enough for Gustavo and he returned to the mats for the Brown/Black Open Heavyweight, gunning for his second gold. In the bracket, Gustavo was unstoppable as he submitted Luxembourg’s Darlan Nepomuceno (Carlson Gracie Luxembourg) in the quarters and his teammate from Ghana Jimmy Eyinck in the semis. On his last duel, he once again ran into Renan Malheiro, ending the match and his campaign with a golden submission to climb the podium for the second time.
Check out the full results here!
AJP Tour Dallas International Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2023: Three black belts conquer the Professional gold in the USA
On Sunday, November 19th, fighters from inside and outside the US made their way to the NYTEX Sports Centre, hoping to show off the results of their training as they fought for the top of the podium. Three Professional black belts rose to the spotlight as they fought tooth and nail to reach the top of their respective weight divisions.
First, in the 69kg bracket, a battle between locals saw Darryl Lebus (DreamArt) outscore Justin Ordinario (Pablo Silva BJJ) by 5-2. Then, in another duel between countrymen, Brazilian Yan "Pica-Pau" Paiva (Six Blades Jiu-Jitsu) put the score at 8-1 to defeat Vinicius Souza (DreamArt) and take the 85kg gold. Finally, in the 120kg division, Brazil’s Davi Cabral (GFTeam) fought twice against fellow countryman Gustavo Oliveira to take the title, taking the first win by 4-1 and the second one via submission.
Check out the full results here!
