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The Chicago Summer Open took place at Chicago State University on Saturday August 13th and Sunday August 14th. Many of the midwest’s top jiu-jitsu teams came out to the event, including Alliance, Brass CTA, Carlson Gracie Team, CheckMat, Double Five, GF Team, Gracie Barra, Pedigo Submission Fighting, Pedro Sauer Team, and TAC Team BJJ. With the No-Gi Pans and No-Gi Worlds now set on the IBJJF calendar, many elite no-gi athletes competed in order to prepare for those events. The following athletes won gold in their divisions and put on excellent performances.

At light-feather, Carlos “Bebeto” Oliveira” of GF Team fought his way to the top of the podium in the gi. “I felt very good. I had two fights and managed to submit the first and win the final by two points. I will always be competing in the opens because I believe that I will evolve with each competition. Now I will train more no-gi to prepare for Pans and Worlds that are coming soon. I’m happy with my performance today.”

Carlson Gracie Team’s Pedro Dias competed in the black belt gi featherweight division and took home gold. “I had two matches. The first match I won by 4 x 2 advantages. In the final I won by points, 4 x 2. It was not my best day. I have not been competing for a long time but I had good matches in the feather weight division bringing the victory to Carlson Gracie Team, especially on the Grand Master Carlson Gracie’s birthday.”

Michael Liera Jr. of Atos also took home lightweight gold in the gi after three victories. In the open class, it was Oscar Hipp of Alliance who would put together three victories to take gold. In the female open class division, Jessica Buchman of TAC Team BJJ was the champion. Jessica won two matches to claim gold.

The Chicago Summer No-Gi Open took place on Sunday August 14th. Dante Leon of Pedigo Submission Fighting started off his day winning middleweight gold. “I was able to pass, take the back, and secure rear naked choke finishes in both of my matches in my weight class." Dante then entered the open class division, where he won two more matches to take double gold. His victories helped PSF win the overall no-gi team title. “I’m excited to compete at the No-Gi worlds at the end of the year,” said Dante.

Sheliah Lindsey was the female no-gi standout competitor of the event. The Soul Fighters Texas representative first won middleweight gold and then won the open class, going 3-0 on the day.

2022 Chicago Summer International Open team results:

1.  TAC Team BJJ

2.  Carlson Gracie Team

3.  Gracie Barra

2022 Chicago Summer International No-Gi Open team results:

1. Pedigo Submission Fighting
2. TAC Team BJJ
3. Detroit Jiu-Jitsu Syndicate