The Arena Centro Multiuso de São José hosted the 2022 IBJJF Floripa Winter International Open, the first IBJJF tournament after the World Championships. The gi and no-gi event had many elite black belts competing looking for a gold medal and ranking points. The following competitors had standout performances.

Marcus “Scooby” Ribeiro of Alliance competed in both the super heavy and open class divisions. At super heavy, Scooby took gold, hitting a mounted cross choke after pulling guard and sweeping directly to mount. He then moved on to the open class, where he won his second gold on the day. “It was an excellent championship. I had only one fight in the category and four fights in the absolute. I finished three fights and won two by points. I'm feeling very good. I'm still focused on work and already thinking about the next World Championship.” Scooby’s double gold helped Alliance to take the overall gi title for the event.

In the female divisions, it was Ericka Alemida of Gracie Barra who took double gold, winning the lightweight division and the open class. “Yesterday everything went perfect. It’s been a long time since I fought the open weight,” said Ericka. “I had two fights in the lightweight division with one submission. I then had three fights in the open class with three submissions. None of my opponents scored points on me, so I was really happy with my performance. However, I’m not fully satisfied because I know that I have a lot to improve.” Gracie Barra had a great day as a team, taking third in the gi.

Another standout performance was that of Lucas Rodrigues of AOJ. In his black belt debut

Lucas had three matches in the featherweight division. "Floripa Open was my first tournament as a black belt after being promoted six months ago. Earlier this year I suffered a cervical injury and thought I would be away from competition for at least a year, but thanks to my doctors I can finally start gathering points for next years Worlds. I had three fights with two submissions and a 12-2 points victory in the finals. Winning after going through all those circumstances in my home country feels ten times more special.”

The no-gi matches took place on Sunday June 19th. Henrique “Ceconi” Cardoso was the standout of the no-gi event. Ceconi defeated Miguel Neto of Ushirobira BJJ in the final to take home open class gold. “No-gi, I had 3 fights and finished all 3 by rear naked choke. I felt very good and I was prepared for any situation that could happen in the fights,” said Ceconi. “I was very happy to win the open class at the Floripa Open. It was very nice to win close to home!” He also competed in the gi on Saturday, winning gold in the ultra-heavy division and taking third in the open class.

Izabel Seki took no-gi open class gold in the female black belt division. After signing up at lightweight and not having anyone in her division, Izabel decided to challenge herself in the open class. She won two matches, including a finals victory over Thais Teixeira of Carlson Gracie Team. Luis Ribas of Atos Jiu-Jitsu won the lightweight category with and without the gi. On Saturday Luis defeated three opponents for gold. His final was against Victor Hugo Sotini of Cicero Costha International. He won two more matches the following day without the gi, collecting his second gold medal for the weekend.

2022 Floripa Winter Open Team Results:

1. Alliance
2. CheckMat
3. Gracie Barra

2022 Floripa No-Gi Winter Open Team Results:

1. Atos Jiu-Jitsu
2. CheckMat
3. Alliance