3/22/2022 By: Danny O'Donnell

With just a few short weeks before the IBJJF Pan Championships, the top jiu-jitsu athletes in Southern California competed at the Los Angeles International Open to get more experience and ranking points. Black belt adult competitors registered for the Los Angeles International Open included Tainan Dalpra, Fellipe Trovo, Fellipe Andrew, Larissa Campos, Johnatha Alves, Melissa Stricker, Andy Murasaki, and Kennedy Maciel.

The number one ranked adult male black belt competitor, Fellipe Andrew, further cemented his top spot in the rankings, winning a total of four matches in the super-heavy and open class divisions to secure double gold. Another impressive double gold medal performance came from Melissa Stricker. The Alliance black belt won the heavyweight and open class divisions.

AOJ competitors Tainan Dalpra and Johnatha Alves continued their winning ways in the middle and lightweight divisions, respectively. Tainan, the 2021 World Champion, had three fights and three submission finishes. Johnatha made his return to competition after suffering an injury at the 2021 Worlds that forced him to withdraw from the competition. He had one match in Los Angeles, working his passing game to earn the victory.

On Sunday, Gabriel Almeida of team CheckMat won double gold without the kimono. In the heavyweight division he won two matches and then went on to win three more in the open class. Tara White of CheckMat won the adult female black belt open class, defeating Jessica Richer in the final.

2022 Los Angeles International Open team results:

1. Atos Jiu-Jitsu
2. CheckMat
3. Gracie Barra

2022 Los Angeles International No-Gi Open team results:

1. CheckMat
2. Gracie Barra
3. Atos Jiu-Jitsu

The next IBJJF events will be the Charleston and Boise International Opens with gi and no-gi divisions taking place on March 26^th and 27^th.

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