AJP Newsletter September 2024: Your monthly recap of the highlights from all over the world

October 1, 2024

Another stellar month has come and gone here at AJP. Coming hot on the heels of the ADGS Moscow, September not only managed to live up to August's action but went on to actually surpass it with the help of the ADGS Dallas, two Continentals, and the usual batch of competitions AJP is known for around the globe. Before looking at the many exciting things October has coming our way, let's take a moment to go over the highlights of September.

Abu Dhabi Grand Slam World Tour Dallas 2024: Champions rise to the top of the podium in the US

Taking place between September 28th and 29th, the ADGS Dallas 2024 was the latest chapter of the traveling show that is the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam World Tour. Held at the Curtis Culwell Center, in Texas, the competition opened its doors for competitors of all ages and graduations, welcoming Youths, Amateurs, and Masters on the first day, while the second and last day was saved for the fierce competitors of the Professional category.

As always, the Professional Black Belt category was packed with thrilling duels as each competitor sought to rise to the top of their respective podiums. In the 56kg division, Bruno Sena scored 3-0 with a submission attempt and a sweep in the final moments of the match to beat Roiter Lima, while the 62kg title went to Yuri Hendrex, who showcased his technical prowess as he outscored Eduardo Arias by 6-1. Israel Almeida managed to earn a last-minute point to defeat Ademir Araujo in the 69kg final, Jefferson Goteu swept his way to a 7-4 over Matheus Luna in the 77kg gold round, and Jonnatas Gracie showed his strategic side as he held on to a 2-1 score to beat Uanderson Ferreira and take the 85kg title. Starting the 94kg final with a beautiful seoi nage takedown, Fellipe Andrew swept and mounted to beat Jackson Sousa by 6-2, and Felipe Bezerra once again ruled over the 120kg division, this time beating Igor "Tigrão" Schneider by a whopping 13-0.

On the women's side, Diana Teixeira became the 49kg champ after Erika Machado got disqualified over an illegal grip from a submission position, Maria Luisa Delahaye swept twice to beat Ashlee Funegra with a 4-2 score, Julia Alves scored last to defeat the up-and-comer Sarah Galvão in a 4-4 tie, Giovanna Carneiro got the 70kg title by locking an armbar on Leticia dos Santos, and Yara Nascimento used her lasso guard to sweep and hold a 2-2 tie over Isabely Lemos in the 95kg division final.

AJP Tour Asia Continental Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2024: Professional Black Belt category brings memorable match-ups to the UAE

Landing at the modern Mubadala Arena between September 13th and 15th, the Asia Continental was the first of its kind in September, drawing local and foreign competitors alike to test themselves on the birthplace of the AJP. With Youths fighting on the first day, Amateurs and Masters on the second, and Professionals closing the event on the third day, there was never a dull moment throughout the tournament as each competitor sought the gold and the 1400 global ranking points.

The Asia Continental's final day took the action and raised it all the way up to eleven. Altamir Junior outscored both his opponents to become the 56kg champion, Khaled Alshehhi showed his prowess as he controlled the match and got a 3-2 over Welison Fernandes in the 62kg final, and Jefferson Fagundes scored last in a 2-2 tie to beat Rerisson Gabriel and take the 69kg title. In the 77kg division, Lucas Protasio got the better of Jefferson Goteu with a last-minute submission, Jonatham Silva landed a foot submission on Agnelo Sales to take the 85kg gold, Luiz Henrique Betta got the win and the 94kg title over Denis Souza via the referees' decision, and Felipe Bezerra beat Matheus "Tá Danado" Xavier by default to become the 120kg champion.

On the women's side, Diana Teixeira locked an ezekiel choke on Joana Rosa to take the 49kg title, Eduarda Lima triumphed over Asma Alhosani with a takedown attempt on the Golden Score of the 55kg final, Rafaela Bertolot scored 8-1 over Dayane Bazzoni to conquer 62kg gold, Nikki Lloyd-Griffiths used a footlock to beat Amanda Costa and climb the 70kg podium, and Andressa Oliveira outscored Marília Freire to become the 85kg champion.

AJP Tour Oceania Continental Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2024: Martin Melecchi, Roberto Dib Frias, and Nikki Lloyd-Griffiths conquer the gold in Australia

Held at the Billbergia Sports Centre on September 22nd, the Oceania Continental was another of this month's stellar offerings, giving colored and black belts of all ages the chance to conquer the gold, become an AJP champion, and get a sizable advantage on the global rankings. This time around, all categories took the stage on the very same day, condensing the action and ensuring that younger athletes would have the chance to witness their more experienced peers on the mats firsthand.

Among the many champions that rose that day, three Australian black belts from the Professional category stood out with their performances. In the 85kg division, Martin Melecchi outscored Raphael Moraes by 9-1 in the semifinal and then overcame David Belmonte with a 3-0 score to take the title. Meanwhile, Roberto Dib Frias was the name to look out for in the 120kg division, as the Australian kicked off the round-robin with a submission over Marcus Vinicius Silveira. In his second match, Roberto thoroughly dominated William Bunn throughout the regulated time, closing the match and taking the gold with an 18-0 score.

Last but most certainly not least, Nikki Lloyd-Griffiths had two duels against Miranda Okazima before she could be called the 70kg champion. The first match saw Nikki score 2-0 before submitting her opponent around the two-minute mark. With one win already in the bag, Nikki could've fought more strategically, but the Aussie only had eyes for submissions, and it wasn't long before Miranda fell to another of Nikki's attacks. Thus, Nikki rose to the top of the podium after a flawless campaign in the competition.

UPCOMING: ADGS Xi'an, Europe Continental, Nationals, and much more!

Keeping up the momentum, the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam World Tour has its next chapter all planned out for this month as it heads for the first time to Chinese soil. The ADGS Xi'an 2024 will be held at the Shaanxi Sports Training Center between October 18th and 20th, with Masters taking the stage and setting the tone for the competition on the first day. With Youths showing their skills on the second day, the third and final day will see Amateurs and Professionals sharing the mats as they fight for the gold. It's worth noting that the registration window closes on October 13th, so don't waste any more time and save your spot in the ADGS Xi'an 2024.

Another big tournament coming this month is the AJP Tour Europe Continental Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2024, held at the Topsport Center Almere, in the Netherlands, on October 12th and 13th. The first day will be reserved for Youths and Professionals, while the next one will be the chance for Amateurs and Masters to step up to the battlefield and fight for gold, glory, and 1400 global ranking points. Interested? Registrations are available until October 7th, so check our website and save your spot in the competition.

As always, the AJP's usual batch of Nationals, Regionals, and Internationals is coming to make sure that you'll have the chance to compete every single weekend in October. Lots of Nationals this time around, with Canada and Mexico coming on October 5th, Panama and Ireland on October 13th, Hungary on October 20th, Ukraine and Czech Republic on October 26th, and Austria on October 27th. This month will also feature five Regionals, with the Mediterranean and Middle East being visited on October 5th, Transylvania on October 12th, and South East Asia hosting on October 19th.

Finally, here are the Internationals coming in October: Cartagena (October 5th), Seoul (October 5th), Odessa (October 12th), Macapá (October 19th-20th), and Amarillo (October 19th).