The North Charleston Athletic Center was the site of the 2022 Charleston Fall International Open. The first Charleston Open of 2022 took place in March, where Alliance, CheckMat, and ZR Team claimed the top three spots on the team podium. This time around, Nova Uniao and Gracie Barra BJJ won the gi and no-gi titles. The event also had great performances from  Pedro Marinho and Andy Murasaki, who both submitted all of their opponents on their way to the top of the podium.

Andy Murasaki of Atos Jiu-Jitsu returned to competition for the first time since his amazing run at the 2022 World Championships, where he placed second in the middleweight division. He jumped up to medium-heavy, where he had two matches. His final match was a brilliant display of efficient jiu-jitsu as he took his opponent down, passed the guard, mounted, and finished with an armbar. “It was nice competing again after my rib injury at Worlds. I felt great. Next weekend I’m competing in Houston too! I’m just happy to be healthy and be able to do what I love most.”

2021 World No-Gi double gold champion Pedro Marinho also competed on Saturday October 29th in the no-gi divisions. He had two matches at super heavy, winning both matches via rear naked choke after impressive displays of guard passing and positional control. Pedro had another match in the open class, finishing with one of his best attacks, the guillotine. It was Pedro’s third submission in three matches on the day and secured his second gold medal.

The gi open class champions were Suellen Lima of GF Team and Pedro Bisneto of ZR Team Association. Suellen displayed a well rounded jiu-jitsu game, attacking her opponent in the final with submission attempts from bottom and top positions. Pedro won two matches to take open class gold in the gi, submitting both of his opponents to make it to the top of the podium.

2022 Pan No-Gi Champion and #1 ranked no-gi middleweight Francisco Cuneo won the no-gi medium-heavy division and also placed third in the open class. “In the first match in my division, I had a 6-0 points victory against Clay Mayfield. I did a kouchi gari ashi barai and back take. I had a great match against Gialysson Freitas for the final. In the absolute, I had an inside heel hook submission against Ricky Semiglia. In the semifinal in the absolute, I lost by decision to Diego Ramalho. It was a very tactical stand up war."

Movement Art’s Nick Salles won gi and no-gi gold at lightweight. Nick commented on his gi match, stating “My match today went as planned. I was able to get my game going and take the back. The goal is to stay as active as possible and to get better at competing. We have the New Haven Open and No-Gi Worlds on the horizon and I can’t wait to get out there and show what we’ve been working on!” His two additional victories without the gi moved his record to 3-0 in Charleston.

Alliance’s Yuta Shimada returned to competition in the featherweight division. Yuta had one match in the gi, taking on Emilio Hernandez of Zenith BJJ. “I had one match today. Emilio has dangerous leg locks, a great scramble game, and experience. He is a good competitor but it was our third fight this year, so I could predict his next action very well. That was the factor in winning. It was especially great feeling that I could throw him with a big seoi nage. My next IBJJF tournament is the New Haven Open.”

2022 Charleston Fall International Open team results:

1. Nova Uniao
2. Alliance
3. ZR Team Association

2022 Charleston Fall International No-Gi Open team results:

1. Gracie Barra BJJ
2. SAS Team
3. Charlotte Jiu-Jitsu Academy