Nova Uniao AZ Claims the Blue Belt Open Class Podium

On February 27, the Strongheart No-Gi Tournament took place at the Deer Valley High School in Glendale. With only two competitors, Team GD Jiu-Jitsu was able to win 4 medals. Issa Able won 6 matches, 4 by submission, to claim the Gold in both the Blue Belt Light and Open Weight, while Ryan “Scoop” Heilman won the Purple Belt Light and placed 2nd in the Open Weight.

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GD JIU-JITSU Events in association with the Arizona State Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (AZSBJJF) is proud to announce its 5^thinstallment of the Arizona Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Open. Typically drawing mainly competitors from Arizona and its neighboring states, the AZSBJJF sent an open invitation to teams from other countries to compete and represent their homeland, transforming the AZ Open into an international event for the first time.

The tournament will feature an international black belt match between a seven-time World Champion from Brazil, GMA Robson Moura (Nova Uniao), and 2009’s national champion of Japan, Nobuhiko Kitahara (Axis JJ), who will be travelling from Tokyo to represent the Jiu-Jitsu Federation of Japan.

“The AZSBJJF’s partnership with the Jiu-Jitsu Federation of Japan (JJFJ) started in 2009, when I met its President, Taka Watanabe, at the 2^nd Rickson Gracie International. I was very impressed with their organization and their dedication to making Jiu-Jitsu a popular and organized sport in Japan”, says Gustavo Dantas, Vice-President of the AZSBJJF and promoter of all its events, who is expecting between 400 and 500 competitors on March 13^th and 14^th.

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5 competitors, 6 medals!

The Abu Dhabi West Coast Trials took place in Santa Cruz, CA on  January24th. Acting as a qualifier for the richest and most prestigious Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu event on the planet, the Abu Dhabi Pro, the West Coast Qualifier featured the best of the best congregating upon Northern California in the United States.

The winners from the American event will compete with the best grapplers and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athletes from across the world and for the chance at winning a massive USD$145,000 in cash and prizes at the Abu Dhabi Pro on April 15th to 17th. Team GD Jiu-Jitsu/Nova Uniao will be represented by Issa Able, who had seven matches to win the Blue Belt Light weight, and the Blue Belt Open Class under 161 lbs.

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GD JIU-JITSU Events in association with the Arizona State Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (AZSBJJF) is proud to announce the 5th AZ International Open of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The competition will take place on March 13-14 at Westwood High School located at 945 W. 8th St. in Mesa, AZ 85201.

Gracie Mag will be covering the event. Don’t forget to check out the December issue which features an article on the 1st Southwest BJJ Classic.

The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competition will offer kids, juveniles, Adult (Male and Female), Masters and Senior Divisions. There will be international competitors from Mexico, as well as Black Belt competitors representing Brazil. The Jiu-Jitsu Federation of Japan will also send their 2009 National Champion to compete in the Black Belt Division.

Kids Division competitors will now receive the improved 3.5″ medal.

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Matt, "Scoop", and Eddie

The Grapplers Quest Vegas took place at the Texas Station on December 12th. Ryan Heilman took 2nd place at the No-Gi/Advanced/Feather, and 2nd place at the Purple/Adult/Feather. Eddie Welch to 2nd place at the Blue/Executive/Welterweight.

Ryan "Scoop" Heilman submitted Brett Millea in the only purple belt match

The 1st Kaju AZ/Nava BJJ Challenge took place in Mesa,AZ on December 5th. The in-house tournament, promoted by GD’s Brown Belt and Nova Uniao Mesa instructor, Paul Nava, the event brought in almost 70 competitors to the Kajukenbo AZ School. The tournament was sponsored by Many Weapons, who provided the competitors and referee’s t-shirts and the Padilla and Sons Kimonos. Team GD Jiu-Jitsu had a great showing. Check out the results:

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