Weekend Recap: Switzerland and Spain join AJP to bring high-octane tournaments

December 9, 2024

As we enter the final stretch of 2024, the AJP continues its mission of bringing about positive change by spreading the benefits of Jiu-Jitsu worldwide through competition. With two Internationals taking place this weekend, competitors could choose between Switzerland and Spain to climb the organization's mats and gain valuable experience as athletes, so let's check out the highlights from each championship.

AJP Tour Morges International Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2024: Arash Seifi takes the double gold in Switzerland

Held at the Salle De Sport De Beausobre this Saturday, December 7th, the Morges International gave competitors of all ages and graduations the chance to test themselves against their peers in an internationally recognized battlefield. With the coveted gold medal and 600 global ranking points on the line for each of the would-be champions, the athletes went all-out in their pursuit for the lead in their respective weight classes.

Among the many warriors colliding against one another in the AJP mats, the French black belt Arash Seifi (PS Phoenix BJJ Team) showed his prowess and knowledge as he conquered the double gold in the Master 2 category. His journey began at the 77kg division, with Arash fighting and losing by 8-6 against the local Gabler Armand (In-Out Switzerland) in the bracket's first match. Despite the setback, Arash kept his head in the game and landed a win over his compatriot Cedric Motte (Icon Jiu-Jitsu Team International) by 4-1 to reach the final round, in which he would face Gabler again. The fight took up the entirety of the regulated time and saw both sides evenly matched throughout most of it, with a narrow 6-5 score giving Arash the win and his first title that day.

Arash later returned to the mats, this time eyeing the no-gi 77kg division. With only one fight between himself and the gold medal, Arash went up against Cedric Motte yet again in a tough battle. With no submissions from either side, the match took up the five minutes of regulated time, with Arash having the best movements and maintaining his advantage on the scoreboard to take the victory by 5-3 and climb the podium for the second time.

Check out the full results here!

AJP Tour Madrid International Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2024: Professional black belts conquer their weight divisions in Spain

On Sunday, December 8th, the Madrid International landed at the Pabellon Amaya Valdemoro and brought about an entire afternoon of competition across seven fight areas. With the AJP gold and 600 global ranking points for each champion, athletes from all categories and nationalities were welcomed at the arena, which hosted some memorable duels as each warrior strived for the top of the podium.

The tournament was highlighted by the black belts of the Professional category, who showcased their stellar technique and mettle as they went at each other in their respective weight classes. In the 77kg division, the Argentine Lautaro Sanguineme (Association Aranha) fought three opponents on his way to the title, beating his compatriot Gianfranco Marrone (Círculo de Jiu Jitsu) by 7-2, the Spaniard Hugo Le Metour (PSLPB Cícero Costha) by 7-4, and the Brazilian Rodrigo Mariani (Checkmat International) by scoring last in a 1-1 tie. Meanwhile, Brazil's Alex Lima (Commando Group) scored 5-1 before ultimately submitting his compatriot Thiago Souza (GFTeam) for the 120kg gold.

In the women's 70kg division, the ADPWJJC 2024 runner-up Tamara Toros (Atos) represented Hungary in another campaign at the AJP, submitting both the local Sandra Calero (Lotus BJJ Espana) and the Canadian Emily Eyles (Nine Nine) to take the title. Last but not least, in the no-gi 77kg division, the Spaniard Lucas Perea (Checkmat International) took his spot atop the podium after outscoring the Filipino Roby Penalosa (Anacoreta Jiu Jitsu) by 8-0 in the semifinal and then submitting the Brazilian Alberth Dias (Adamas BJJ) in the gold round.

Check out the full results here!