3/18/2022 By: Danny O'Donnell

The IBJJF returns to action this weekend with two big events on two continents. In North America, the Los Angeles International Open will be held at the Felix Event Center in Azusa, California, as many of the best black belts from southern California and beyond will convene for the final west coast tournament before the Pan Championships. In South America, the Curitiba International Open will be held at the Taruma Gym. Many of Brazil’s top black belts will be competing here to earn additional ranking points and prepare for the 2022 grand slam events.

Black belt adult competitors registered for the Los Angeles International Open include Tainan Dalpra, Pedro Marinho, Johnatha Alves, Melissa Stricker, Andy Murasaki, Josh Cisneros, and Jessa Khan. In Curitiba jiu-jitsu athletes such as Micael Galvao, Diogo Reis, Izadora Cristina, Alex Sodre, and Rider Zuchi will all be stepping on the mats to test their techniques. Micael Galvao and Diogo Reis will both be making their IBJJF black belt debuts in Curitiba after the pair of Manaus-based athletes were promoted to their new rank by Melqui Galvao in 2021.

The Los Angeles International Open and the Curitiba International Open will both be streamed live on the IBJJF YouTube channel. Be sure to tune in on Saturday March 19^th and Sunday March 20^th to catch all the gi and no-gi action.