The 2022 London Fall Open took place on Saturday October 15th at the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre. The event featured gi and no-gi divisions and brought out Europe’s best competition teams including CheckMat, Gracie Barra, ZR Team Association, Roger Gracie Academy, Carlson Gracie Team, and R1NG BJJ. Read on for standout team and individual performances.

The standout competitor of the event was CheckMat’s Adam Wardzinski.  Adam competed in four divisions in a single day, winning weight and open class gold in both gi and no-gi. “It was a long and busy day in London at the IBJJF Fall Open. I competed in four categories, securing four golds after a total of nine fights with seven submissions,” explained Adam. “I’m especially happy about my no-gi come back as I haven’t competed without the gi since last years Worlds No-Gi. I was able to hit a couple moves I’ve been working on and it gave me a lot of satisfaction. It was a really great event filled with talent and top European athletes in every black belt weight category. I’m really happy to see the scene in Europe becoming stronger and stronger!”

At black belt lightweight, Ashley Bendle of Draig won two matches to finish first in her division. “Both matches were against really good opponents. I got the win in both via points. It was great to be in a gi and get on the mats with such high level girls. Next up I'm looking forward to heading out to Rome for Europeans and the Rome Open. I can't wait to face more high level girls and cement my place at the top of European jiu-jitsu.” Ashley also competed without the gi, where she won her only match in the open class. Gabriele Da Silva Schuck of ZR Team Association won female open class gold in the gi.

Lucas Rodrigues of Art of Jiu Jitsu returned to competition in London after making his black belt debut at the Floripa Winter Open earlier this year where he took first in his division. Lucas competed in the lightweight division in England. “London Open was really fun. I managed to submit the first two fights and win the finals by advantages. It’s nice to see the level of jiu-jitsu in London and be able to compete against new people. Next stop is Europeans No-Gi!.” Be sure to catch Lucas at the Europeans No-Gi from November 11th through the 13th.

CheckMat’s Max Lindblad competed in the middleweight division in London, winning two matches to hit the top of the podium. “I had two matches in my weight category and three in the open weight. I didn't manage to finish any of them even though I did my best. I'm just getting back to competing again and just happy to be able to do what I love. Sure it sucks to lose but I will try to compete in just about everything I can this season!”

2022 London Fall International Open team results:

1. CheckMat
2. ZR Team Association
3. Gracie Barra

2022 London Fall International No-Gi Open team results:

1. ZR Team Association
2. CheckMat
3. Gracie Barra BJJ