The 2023 Floripa Winter Open, a highly anticipated jiu-jitsu event, took place over the weekend of August 12th and 13th, showcasing an array of exceptional performances at the elite black belt level. From the comeback of Yara Soares to the impressive dominance of Mica Galvao for the second straight weekend, the event was a testament to the level of skill and continued growth of the sport in Brazil.

Yara Soares, the 2021 Pan Absolute Champion, had been absent from the competition scene since the 2022 World Championships due to injury but returned this past weekend. Her performance quickly reminded everyone why she is considered one of the best in the sport. Representing Fratres Jiu-Jitsu, Yara's absence from competition did not hinder her performance in the least. She clinched the gold medal in the absolute division, making a strong statement about her ability to bounce back and achieve great results after a year-long hiatus.

Brasileiro Champion Mica Galvao competed for the second straight weekend in both gi and no-gi. Mica had two matches in the middleweight division in the gi where he submitted his opponents with a bow n’ arrow from the back and a rear naked choke, respectively. In his no-gi matches on Sunday, Mica won with a triangle from the back and a guillotine, improving his record to 9-0 with nine submissions over the past two weekends. Mica will compete again next weekend at the Manaus Open as he looks to gain more competition experience and accumulate more impressive victories.

Alex Sodre, the 2022 Pan Champion from Nova Uniao, moved up to the lightweight division for the Floripa Winter Open. This transition proved to be a successful one, as Sodre emerged victorious and claimed the gold medal. With his explosive and technical style of play, he navigated through three matches, earning his first gold medal of 2023

Another standout competitor of the event was Anderson Munis. The Fratres Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu representative first earned a silver medal in the super heavyweight division. His weekend didn't end there; he ventured into the open class and displayed his tenacity by winning two matches and advancing to the final, where he met Fratres teammate Vinicius Liberati, who secured gold in the ultra heavyweight division.

In the no-gi categories, Elioenai Braz of Team Crézio Lutas and Roberta Ribeiro of Double Five stood out with their exceptional performances. Elioenai Braz exhibited his dominance by conquering both the super heavyweight and open class divisions with a total of four victories. On the other hand, Roberta Pessoa Vieira Ribeiro showcased her skills by winning two matches and securing the gold.

2023 Floripa Winter Open team results:

1. CheckMat

2. Gracie Barra

3. Alliance

2023 Floripa Winter No-Gi Open team results:

1. CheckMat

2. Atos Jiu-Jitsu

3. Gracie Barra