The 2023 Lisbon International Open, hosted at the Pavilhão Multiusos de Odivelas on November 4th, marked the fourth edition of this prestigious event, with its inaugural debut dating back to 2018. The tournament attracted a diverse array of competitors, featuring local talents and international athletes who eagerly put their skills to the test in Portugal.

Among the standout performers at this year's event was Jhonathan Marques,a Fernando Terere (FTBJJ) representative. Competing in the medium-heavyweight division, Marques showcased his talent and secured the gold medal. He achieved the gold medal by securing victory through submission in both of his matches.

Davi Vetoraci, a Focus Jiu-Jitsu athlete, made his mark on the event with an impressive double gold victory in the gi. He first conquered the heavyweight division with a single decisive win and subsequently continued his winning streak in the absolute division, collecting three more victories. Vetoraci's performance not only earned him a gold medal but also contributed to Focus Jiu-Jitsu's second place overall finish in the gi.

In the female absolute gi division, the top spot on the podium belonged to Rafaela Rosa of CheckMat. Her journey as a black belt began after a 2021 brown belt World title. In Lisbon, Rafaela demonstrated her abilities by winning three open class battles. Her team would go on to take third overall.

Shifting the focus to no-gi, Leonardo Goncalves of Gracie Barra continued his amazing 2023 streak of success. Throughout the year, he had consistently secured gold medals in no-gi competitions, having previously won gold at the Curitiba Spring, Salvador Spring, Florida Fall, and Salvador Fall opens. In Lisbon, Goncalves added to his growing collection of titles by clinching the absolute division without the gi. He sealed both of his victories with submissions, showcasing his skill and ability in the no-gi realm.

In the black belt female absolute no-gi division, Rosa Walsh of Essential Jiu-Jitsu emerged as the victor. Just a week after securing her first major black belt title, Rosa continued her winning momentum by adding another gold medal to her resume. He won her only match of the day via armbar. Her next challenge awaits at the Worlds No-Gi, where she will compete in the middleweight division in search of her first black belt World title.

2023 Lisbon Open team results:

1.   Gracie Barra

2.   Focus Jiu-Jitsu

3.   CheckMat

2023 Lisbon No-Gi Open team results:

1.   CheckMat

2.   Gracie Barra

3.   Alliance