The IBJJF returned to New Orleans for the New Orleans Summer Open on Sunday July 31st. The event was held at the Pontchartrain Convention & Civic Center where many high level black belts came out to compete. Igor Feliz, Thiago Macedo, Igor Schneider, Davi Cabral, and Lucas Lisboa all competed in Louisiana.
At featherweight, it was Thiago Macedo of Rodrigo Pinheiro BJJ who took home gold. “I felt good. I had in mind I was just going to pass today and that’s what I did. In my first fight I came out and pulled guard. I put pressure on my opponent and waited. I ended up passing early into the match and finished with an armbar from side control. In the second match, the finals, I had fought the guy before so I knew he’d be tough. He pulled guard and I tried to pass. He gave the back and recovered. I was able to end up on the side again and ended up finishing with a cross choke from the back.” It was a great performance for Thiago with two submissions in two matches.
Igor Feliz of R1NG BJJ competed in the middleweight division and won two matches to take gold. “Today I fought my first tournament as a middleweight so I could focus on my new techniques that I have been working on. Without the weight cut I felt much stronger and focused on the game plan. You guys may see me more often in this division.”
Igor Schneider of Dream Art won the ultra-heavy and the open class. He had one match at ultra-heavy and two more in the open class, defeating Arthur Detanico of Revolution Dojo in the final.
2022 New Orleans Summer International Open team results:
1. CheckMat
2. Team Jucao
3. TRUJITSU/Excelsior