Weekend Recap: AJP brings explosive tournaments to Serbia, Brazil, and Italy

December 16, 2024

Another solid weekend of competition here at AJP, with the goal of spreading the benefits of Jiu-Jitsu through competition going strong as we near the end of 2024. This time around, the organization brought three events worldwide, visiting Serbia with a National, and bringing Internationals to both Brazil and Italy, so let's check out the highlights from each championship.

AJP Tour Serbia National Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2024: Nikola Perovic takes the double gold in Belgrade

Taking place at the Ranko Žeravica Sports Hall last Saturday, December 14th, the Serbia National welcomed athletes of all ages and graduations to compete across five fight areas, bringing memorable battles as the competitors strived to reach the top of the podium.

Fighting in the Professional category, the Montenegrin Nikola Perovic (Mata Leão A-Force BJJ Montenegro) had his skills on full display as he fought and conquered the coveted double gold in a stellar campaign.

Starting in the 120kg division, Nikola faced the local Vladimir Bulatovic (Kimura BJJ Serbia) in a very well-balanced final round, with both sides dishing out attacks while defending the most dangerous transitions. At the end of it all, Nikola took the win with a 2-0 score and seized his first gold that day.

Still hungry for more, Nikola made his way back to the battlefield and entered the no-gi 120kg division, ready to add another medal to his collection, but was once again faced with Vladimir Bulatovic, who was now familiar with his opponent's game and could better prepare for a possible payback. With no submissions from either side, the athletes held nothing back and went at each other to the best of their abilities throughout the regulated time. When the clock ran out, a narrow 4-3 score gave Nikola the win over Vladimir and gained him another trip to the top of the podium.

Check out the full results here!

AJP Tour João Pessoa International Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2024: Black belts submit their way to the gold in Brazil

On Sunday, December 15th, the Ginásio Ronaldão opened its doors for the João Pessoa International, a tournament that brought nine fight areas and countless competitors to the Brazilian state of Paraíba for an entire afternoon of Jiu-Jitsu.

With the Professional category stacked with talented black belts, the event brought memorable duels as the attending warriors used their best tricks and techniques to land submissions and conquer the gold. Starting on the gi, George Vilar (Checkmat International) submitted both Gabriel Melo (GFTeam) and Thiago Batista (Commando Group) on his way to the title, while Santiago Heitor (Checkmat International) got the three taps from Arthur Lima (Commando Group) and Thiago Galvão (Commando Group) to reign over the 85kg bracket.

Meanwhile, the No-Gi side had three champions who rose to the top with submission wins. In the 62kg division, Jhailson Alves (Atos) got two quick subs over Diego Santos (Nova União International) to become the champion, and the Japanese representative Steffano Cavalcante (South Zone Team) wasted no time in tapping Matheus Carmo (MG Team) on two different matches, both times with under 20 seconds on the clock. Last but not least, Victor Lima reigned over the 94kg division by first submitting his teammate Marcelo Oliveira and then by landing a second submission over Josenildo Júnior (ZR Team Association) in the gold round.

Check out the full results here!

AJP Tour Turin International Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2024: Black belts bring their A-game to the mats in Italy

On that same Sunday, the Turin International landed at the Palazzo dello Sport Ruffini with four stacked fight areas, welcoming competitors from the Youth, Amateur, Master, and Professional categories to step up to the mats and show what they're made of while aiming at the coveted AJP gold medal.

Highlighting the tournament with their techniques, the Professional black belts had fight fans on the edge of their seats as they showcased the skill set necessary to compete among the best in the game. Starting with the men, the Spaniard Jonas Andrade (Humbling Jiu Jitsu Club) scored a whopping 17-2 over the local Cristian Gaeta (Officine Jiu Jitsu) to take the 62kg title, while the Brazilian Johnif Rocha (Alvorada Jiu-Jitsu) submitted both the local Bruno Megiatto (Leone Alato Jiu Jitsu) and his teammate Luiz Barroso to reign over the 69kg division. Also representing Brazil, Marco Alves (Carlson Gracie Portugal) got the three taps from the French Gabriel Chagny (Karkara BJJ) and took the 85kg gold, and the Brazilian Vinicius Giroto (FN Fight.Co World) got his spot atop the 94kg division podium after submitting the Russian Tamerlan Eslemesov (Top Team Fight Club). On the No-Gi side, the Italian Reald Turja (Yel Training Club) got the lead on the 85kg bracket after scoring last in a 3-3 tie with the Greek Aristarchos Papadopoulos (Fight Factory GR), while Russia's Tamerlan Eslemesov got his payback against Vinicius Giroto and took the 94kg title from his hands with a narrow 2-0 score.

Moving on to the women's bracket, the Swiss Laurie Rocha (Alvorada Jiu-Jitsu) went all-out against two local opponents, submitting both Marta Giaimo (Gracie Barra Italy) and Giulia Angiolini (Tribe Jiu Jitsu Italia) to take her spot atop the 62kg podium. Last but not least, the 70kg division saw the rise of France's Juliette Tarting (Karkara BJJ), who first outscored Switzerland's Anais Vintalas (DJJS) by a whopping 12-0 before running into the same opponent in the final and landing a 9-0 score to become the champion.

Check out the full results here!