Weekend Recap: AJP brings Internationals to Australia, Spain, and Angola

May 13, 2024

While the ADGS Abu Dhabi brought the tour's last competition to the golden sands of the UAE, the AJP had other tournaments taking place during the weekend. On Saturday, May 11th, the organization held Internationals in Australia, Spain, and Angola, giving athletes even more chances to hone their skills on the competitive mats, so let's check out the highlights from each championship!

AJP Tour Brisbane International Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2024: Felippe Martins takes the double gold in Australia

Landing at the Mount Warren Sports and Fitness Centre for an afternoon of competition, the Brisbane International was the perfect chance for local and foreign athletes to show their skills with lower stakes than the star-studded ADGS Abu Dhabi. As such, athletes of all ages and graduations made their way to the Australian mats, ready to fight tooth and nail for the gold.

Cue Felippe Martins, a Brazilian black belt representing Lead BJJ and the winner of not one but two gold medals at the tournament. His campaign started at the 7kg division, with Felippe submitting Rurik Rodrigues (The Academy of Grounding) to advance to the final and then conquering his first title with another submission, this time against Diego Queiroz (Southside Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu International).

Not long after, Felippe returned to the battlefield, this time with his sights set on the Open Heavyweight title. With three opponents between himself and his goal, Felippe first scored 2-0 against Estonia's Toll Simson and then beat the local Sean Macfarlane (Galeb Brothers Brazilian Jiu Jitsu) in the semis to advance to his last match. Facing his countryman Ramon Rosa (Alliance) in the final, Felippe used all of his techniques during the regulated time, taking the win and climbing the podium for the second time with a narrow 3-2 score.

Check out the full results here!

AJP Tour Alicante International Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2024: Professional black belts shine bright in Spain

On that same Saturday, the Pabellón La Muixara was the proving ground for colored and black belts from all corners of the globe. With 600 ranking points on the line for each division champion, competitors put on their best performances over the afternoon, with the Professional Black Belt category coming as a highlight.

Starting in the gi, the 62kg division saw the rise of the Brazilian Francisco Andrade (Humbling Jiu Jitsu Club), who first scored a whopping 24-0 against Spain's Jose Beteta (Ja Jiu-Jitsu España) and then got the title with a narrow 3-2 against Roger Rodrigues (Gullo Jiu-Jitsu). Brazil's Vitor Borges (Gracie Barra Alicante) outscored the local Carlos Anguita (Carlson Gracie Canarias) to take the gold in the 69kg division, and the Algerian Abdallah Allam (Checkmat International) scored 9-3 against the Spaniard Martin Alonso (Brasa CTA) to become the 77kg champion. In the 120kg bracket, the Brazilian João Gimenez (Bross) submitted twice and got the top spot on the podium.

In the No-Gi side, Brazil's Luan Pinheiro (Humbling Jiu Jitsu Club) first beat Jose Beteta and then scored last in a 6-6 tie to defeat his teammate Francisco Andrade and take the 62kg title. Lastly, the local Martin Alonso (Brasa CTA) unleashed his game and scored 11-1 against fellow countryman Jose Santos (Gracie Barra) to become the 77kg division champion in the tournament.

Check out the full results here!

AJP Tour Benguela International Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2024: Locals Luís Silvestre and Marcelo Gomes show their skills and take the gold in Angola

Still on Saturday, the Pavilhão Multiusos Acácias Rubras opened its doors for the Benguela International and welcomed Angolan athletes of all ages and graduations to fight for the chance to become an AJP champion. Among the many contenders that entered the venue, two Professional black belts displayed outstanding technique as they fought for the lead in their respective weight divisions.

First, Luís Silveste (Gracie Barra Angola) went toe-to-toe against Gerson Sousa (ZR Team Association) for the 85kg division title. While Gerson did manage to score two points, Luís kept the duel's pace under his control and scored multiple times throughout the regulated time. When the clock ran out, Luís became the champion with a sound 16-2 score.

Meanwhile, Marcelo Gomes (Z1 Academy) faced Manuel Domingos (Academia CP) in the 69kg division. Once again, the match lasted the entirety of the regulated time, but this time around things were more balanced as both athletes found themselves evenly matched. At the end of the bout, a 2-0 on the scoreboard gave Marcelo the title and the top spot on the podium.

Check out the full results here!