The 2024 IBJJF Crown, held at the Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, California, on Sunday, November 17th, delivered an amazing showcase of jiu-jitsu excellence. With six exciting 8 athlete divisions, this year's event featured a mix of returning champions and rising stars looking to make their mark. Among the highlights were three returning champions: Gabrieli Pessanha, Erich Munis, and Tainan Dalpra, all seeking to defend their titles. Here's a breakdown of the action from each division:

Men's Featherweight: Diego "Pato" Claims His First Crown Title

Diego "Pato" from AOJ had an exceptional year, adding yet another feather in his cap by winning the IBJJF Crown. This victory came after Pato secured his third black belt World title back in June, solidifying it as the best year of his career. Pato's path to the Crown began with a dramatic opening-round win over Osvaldo "Queixinho" by a score of 6-4. In the semifinals, he demonstrated his dominance by shutting out 2018 World Champion Shane Jamil Hill-Taylor 18-0. The final match saw Pato face João Mendes "Bisnaga," where he managed to take the back and secure a choke to claim the Crown.

Women's Lightweight: Brianna Ste-Marie's Breakthrough Victory

Brianna Ste-Marie earned her first major gi title at the IBJJF Crown, claiming victory in the female lightweight division. Ste-Marie’s run to the title was impressive, with a 14-0 win over Jaine Fragoso in the quarterfinals followed by a submission victory over Gabi McComb via choke from closed guard. In the final, Brianna faced Janaina Lebre, who had bested her in the 2023 World Championships semifinals. This time, Ste-Marie came out on top in a tight match, securing the win with an advantage late in the contest. It was a huge breakthrough for Brianna, marking her first major gi title and adding the Crown to her growing list of accomplishments.

Men's Middleweight: Andy Murasaki Earns Middleweight Crown

Andy Murasaki of Atos Jiu-Jitsu had a stellar run to the Crown final, defeating Jaime Canuto 7-0 in the quarterfinal and submitting Mauricio Oliveira with an armbar in the semifinal. The Atos ace has put together an extremely impressive career thus far at black belt, winning World No-Gi and European gold, and taking silver at the Worlds three times in three different weight categories. Andy was set to face 2023 Crown Champion Tainan Dalpra in the final. Unfortunately for Dalpra, however, he reinjured the hand that he broke in preparation for the event. Though Andy didn’t have a final match, his dominant victories in the quarterfinal and semifinal showed why he is revered as one of the best middleweights on the planet.

Men's Heavyweight: Adam Wardzinski Contunes Epic 2024 Run With First Crown Title

The heavyweight division featured a thrilling final between 2024 World Champions Adam Wardzinski and Gustavo Batista. Adam, having already claimed his first World title earlier this year, continued his strong momentum, defeating Matheus Spirandeli and Horlando Monteiro on his way to the final. Batista, a 2024 World Champion himself, also showed dominance on his path to the final, beating João Nicolite by armbar. The final was a closely contested affair, but Adam’s near-sweep earned him an advantage, ultimately giving him the victory. This marks Adam’s first IBJJF Crown title, capping off an unforgettable year that has seen him achieve the pinnacle of success in the sport.

Women's Super Heavyweight: Gabrieli Pessanha Dominates Again

Gabrieli Pessanha’s reign in the women’s super heavyweight division continues to be nothing short of legendary. Having already claimed 8 World titles, Pessanha extended her dominance at the IBJJF Crown, securing her second Crown title. Gabrieli won all of her matches via rear-naked choke, further cementing her reputation as one of the most dangerous submission artists in the sport. In the final, she faced two-time World Champion Melissa Stricker, but it was the unstoppable Pessanha who came out on top, finishing Stricker with another rear-naked choke. This victory also pushed Gabrieli’s record to 138-3 with 105 submissions, giving her an almost 75% submission rate at the black belt level.

Men's Black Belt Ultra Heavyweight: Erich Munis Secures His Second Crown Title

Erich Munis returned to the IBJJF Crown for a second consecutive year, looking to defend his title in the ultra heavyweight division. Munis was in stellar form, defeating Kristof Szucs via straight ankle lock and Pedro Machado by 15-6. In the final, he faced Marcus "Scooby" Ribeiro, a seasoned competitor in his own right. Munis showed his mastery on the mats once again, submitting Ribeiro with an Ezekiel choke to claim his second Crown title. This victory came on the heels of his success at the 2024 World Championship, where he claimed the absolute title, further solidifying his position as one of the best jiu-jitsu athletes in the world.

Conclusion: A Spectacular Day of Jiu-Jitsu

The 2024 IBJJF Crown presented by FloGrappling was a showcase of some of the finest talent in the sport, with thrilling matches and incredible displays of skill across all divisions. For athletes like Diego "Pato," Brianna Ste-Marie, Andy Murasaki, and Adam Wardzinski, it was a career-defining day, while champions like Gabrieli Pessanha and Erich Munis added a second Crown to their legacies. With a packed crowd at the Walter Pyramid and a high level of competition, the IBJJF Crown continues to be one of the premier events on the jiu-jitsu calendar.