For the last time in 2022, the IBJJF hosted a gi and no-gi event in Brazil with the Brasilia International Open. The event took place at the Ginásio Poliesportivo do Cruzeiro in Brasilia on Saturday December 3rd, where athletes from many of the sport’s major teams competed for the last time this year.

Among the standout performances from the event were those of Gabriel Oliveira and Mayara Moreira. Gabriel, who competed in the IBJJF Absolute GP just a few weeks ago, returned to Brazil to compete one more time in 2022. The Alliance black belt has had a career year, winning many open tournaments in Brazil and establishing himself as one of the best heavyweight competitors in the world.

“In this championship I had five fights and got the submission in three fights. I felt I had a good performance,” explained Gabriel. “The year 2022 was an excellent year for my career. I fought many championships and I learned a lot from each one of them. This coming year starts with the Rio Open, followed by the European, Pan, Brazilian, and World Championships. In 2023, my focus will be on winning Grand Slam titles, raising the level of my Jiu Jitsu within competitions, and above winning titles, presenting a beautiful jiu-jitsu and being a finisher, and with that growing my career more and more. I want to finish in a good position in the rankings by the end of the season.”

Mayara Moreira, who won no-gi open class gold at last weekend’s Balneario Camboriu Open, added more gold medals to her 2022 collection at the Brasilia Open. “The Brasilia Open championship was very good. I expected to have more fights and test myself more in the gi absolute since I was alone in the group, but there were no girls. But in no-gi I had two fights, submitting both very quickly. The first submission was a mata leao and the other was a foot lock. I feel very good fighting no-gi. I was confident and managed to stand out in the fights and I’m looking forward to the year 2023."

Pedro Maia of Six Blades Jiu-Jitsu, who also took gold this year at the Salvador Fall and Sul Brasileiro Opens, won middleweight gold. He used a dynamic and well-rounded game to earn two victories. “I won my two fights against two tough guys, but I was able to be dominant in both fights. I was feeling good and confident. I was training well and always improving my training system to get better and to close the gaps. I learned a lot this year. I had the opportunity to fight big tournaments like Brazilian Nationals, Pan Ams, and Worlds and I fought at the highest level of my sport, displaying good jiu-jitsu to the jiu-jitsu community. I already have my first competition planned for 2023, the Rio Open in January. I’m just focusing on getting everything ready for the 2023 World Championship.”

2022 Brasilia Open team results:

1. GF Team
2. Gracie Barra
3. Equipe Juquinha

2022 Brasilia Open No-Gi team results:

1. GF Team
2. Gracie Barra
3. Equipe Juquinha