Luca Anacoreta talks about how the ADGS helped change the Jiu-Jitsu landscape in Italy

February 4, 2025

One of the most recognized series of tournaments in the international scene, the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam World Tour perfectly represents the AJP core value of promoting the benefits of Jiu-Jitsu through high-level competition. A traveling show by design, the tour goes around the planet every year to bring explosive events to every country it visits, and in 2024 it landed in the Italian capital of Rome for the first time, bringing one of Jiu-Jitsu's biggest organizations to the birthplace of competitive sports to host the memorable ADGS Rome. According to the local black belt Luca Anacoreta, the tournament caused a shift in the Roman Jiu-Jitsu scene.

An AJP athlete with many medals conquered in his career, Luca Anacoreta is a 3rd black belt born and bred in Italy. Currently one of the most dangerous names in the Master category, Luca first came into contact with Jiu-Jitsu in his earlier years, after his brother returned from a trip to Brazil and introduced him to the martial art that had caught his eye in the South American country.

"There are a lot of gyms nowadays, but it was different back then", he says. "The Jiu-Jitsu scene wasn't quite as developed, so I didn't have many training partners. But even then I still liked training in Italy, because the few people that would come to the gym were incredibly focused. We shared the goal of being the best in the world, so the training sessions were always challenging."

Now leading his own team, the Anacoreta Jiu-Jitsu, Luca had the unique chance to evolve alongside the gentle art in his homeland, creating an unbreakable bond between the athlete and the sport as more competitions started coming and Jiu-Jitsu started gaining more popularity in the Italian capital. Then, in 2024, the ADGS Rome landed at the Centro Olimpico Matteo Pellicone, bringing some of the toughest competitors in the world to show their skills as they sought the top of the podium. After a great campaign, Luca conquered the silver medal in the 85kg division, but the impact of such a big tournament coming to his country tasted even sweeter to the local powerhouse.

"I was really happy when the Grand Slam came around last year, it made me realize that Rome and Italy became references among other great countries in Europe, helping Jiu-Jitsu to evolve even more here while also giving motivation to local athletes aiming to participate in big events. I'm even happier that the ADGS Rome is coming back this year, it'll be another great opportunity for Italian competitors of all ages."

The Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Rome is set to be the tour's first tournament in 2025, bringing the organization's mats back to the Centro Olimpico Matteo Pellicone between February 21st and 23rd. With the registration window closing on February 18th, don't waste any more time and click here to Join Luca and other great international athletes as the AJP brings the fires of competition to the land of gladiators.