The IBJJF returned to Atlanta, Georgia for the 2023 Atlanta Winter International Open. The gi event took place at the Georgia International Convention Center. Alliance Jiu-Jitsu won the team title followed closely by Roberto Traven BJJ, who had won the 2022 Atlanta Winter team title. The standout athletes from the event included Ronaldo Junior, Javier Barter, and a pair of AOJ black belts, who all won gold.

Just ahead of his March 3rd super fight against Francisco Lo, Ronaldo Junior competed at the Atlanta Winter Open in the medium-heavy division. Ronaldo used a well-rounded approach in his matches. He pulled guard, controlled, and swept Felipe Cesar Silva of Unity Jiu-Jitsu in the semifinal, advancing to the final against Lucas Lisboa. In the final, Ronaldo racked up fifteen points with three guard passes, knee on belly, and mount before finishing with a mounted triangle. Be sure to catch Ronaldo’s super fight on Friday March 3rd as he takes on Francisco Lo in Austin, Texas.

Javier Barter of Fernando Moya Jiu-Jitsu Academy was the open class champion in Atlanta. After taking silver in the super heavy division, Javier entered the open class division as the 14th seed. In four matches, Javier landed four submissions. He finished his opening round and quarterfinal matches with a bow n’ arrow choke from the back and a rear naked choke, using his top game to set up the back attacks. The semifinal and final matches both ended with toe holds, capping off a fantastic open class performance from the Panamanian black belt. Larissa Dias of MJN Jiu-Jitsu was the female open class champion, winning her only match in the division via choke from the back.

Art of Jiu-Jitsu academy also had a great showing in the black belt divisions, with Pablo Lavaselli and Zach Kaina both taking gold in their divisions. Pablo competed at lightweight, where he won two matches while Zach competed at light feather, winning his first match and meeting up with teammate Hiryu Niwa in the final.

2023 Atlanta Winter Open team results:

1. Alliance

2. Roberto Traven BJJ

3. CheckMat