The Orlando Summer Open took place on Thursday July 21st and Friday July 22nd at the Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Florida. The Thursday and Friday event preceded the Pan Kids Jiu-Jitsu Championship, the largest kids tournament of the year. There were many elite black belts who competed, including Malachi Edmond, Dante Leon, and Larissa Dias. The following athletes put on excellent displays of jiu-jitsu in the sunshine state.

In the light-feather division, it was two Team Lloyd Irvin representatives who claimed the top spots on the podium. Cory Walker made his black belt debut at the Washington D.C. Open on June 25th and won gold. In Orlando, Cory won his match against Matheus Fonseca of RMNU. On the other side of the bracket, 2021 Worlds silver medalist Malachi Edmond defeated Isaias Higino of Dream Art to advance to the final. “It felt good to be back after the Worlds, the match was much slower then I would have preferred but it was amazing watching my teammate on the other mat make it to the finals with me,” said Malachi, would would end up taking home the gold medal.

At lightweight it was another Team Lloyd Irvin athlete who hit the top of the podium. Elijah Dorsey had a very successful career as a colored belt and started off his black belt career with a great performance in Orlando. “I went into the tournament kind of nervous, but also pumped to make my debut at the next level. I expected to go into the tournament to fight all tough matches. I won my first match by two points, my second match by armbar, and my finals by ref decision. Preparation going into the tournament was great. The team had amazing energy today as a whole, and it will continue for the rest of the weekend with Pan Kids. I definitely want to give shoutouts to my team for pushing and believing in me, my family for support, and God for allowing me to have the opportunity. Now that I got my feet wet in the black belt division, I look forward to my future.” Expect to see Elijah competing with his Team Lloyd Irvin teammates again soon.

Larissa Dias of MJN Jiu-Jitsu was the open class champion. “I fought against Luiara in the finals and I was able to submit her with an armbar,” said Larissa, who’s won many open class gold medals this year and also her first World title. The male open class title went to Salenco Coutinho of Nabil Jiu-Jitsu. Salenco won ultra-heavy gold with two victories and added four more in the open class to win that title. “I made my debut for the IBJJF as a black belt at the Orlando Open where, thanks to God, I managed to be champion of the category and the absolute. I had a total of six fights in the entire competition with two submissions. The level was very fierce and with big names for whom I have great respect and admiration. Thank God I managed to impose my game.”

Kauan Barboza of CheckMat won middleweight gold in the gi. “I had two matches. My first fight was against Italo Moura. I was able to have a better start and beat him by two points in a very strategic match. In my final I submitted with a choke from the back. I swept, passed, and caught the back after he turtled. I’m happy with my performance overall as I was able to apply what I have been training.” Medium-heavy belonged to Sergio Rios, who commented on his performance. “I was feeling great and excited as there were many tough guys in the division. I won my first match by kimura, the second by decision, and the final match by points. I’m very happy to be taking the gold medal home.” Sergio competed in no-gi the following day, winning the open class in the master 1 division.

In the no-gi divisions there were also many standout performances. Dante Leon of Pedigo Submission Fighting won the middleweight division, finishing his opponent in the final with a rear naked choke. Vagner Rocha of Fights Sports put on perhaps the best performance of the no-gi event. He first won the heavyweight division after two victories. In the open class, Vagner had three more matches and three more wins, earning double gold for his efforts and helping Fights Sports win the overall team no-gi title.

2022 Orlando Summer International Open team results:

1.   Gracie Barra

2.   R1NG BJJ

3.   Alliance

2022 Orlando Summer International No-Gi Open team results:

1. Fight Sports
2. Gracie Barra
3. Alliance