A pair of 2023 European and Pan Champions returned to competition at the Rio Fall Open on Saturday April 1st. Gabrieli Pessanha, who won double gold at the Pans just six days prior, won two more gold medals in Rio. With five fights and four submissions, Gabrieli continued to showcase an aggressive and submission oriented jiu-jitsu game that she’s honed in on this year.

Jessica Caroline, who won rooster weight gold at this years Europeans and Pans, also competed in Rio, winning gold in the light-feather division with two victories. The Rio Fall Open also marked the return of ultra heavyweight Victor Honorio, a European and Brazilian National Champion. Victor won three fights at ultra heavy and four in the open class to take home two gold medals.

In the lightweight division, Julia Alves of GF Team made her return to competition, where she took home gold.  She commented on her performance in Rio. “I was very happy to have fought confidently after some situations I’ve been through in the last few months. It was my second CBJJ championship and my third gold medal. I feel like I’m getting better every day to leave all of myself in my first Worlds as a black belt.”

Rookie black belt Pedro Lucas won the super heavy division at the 2023 Europeans as a brown belt and was promoted to black belt shortly thereafter. He spoke about his experience competing at his new rank in Rio. “It was my debut at black belt and we started off on the right foot. We had a total of three fights and it was just incredible to be fighting the best black belts in the division. Our next event is the Brazilian Nationals and we will probably be in the Heavyweight division and I hope to repeat this feat.”

Rider Zuchi won the heavyweight division with two fights and two submissions, becoming a five time Rio Open Champion. In the no-gi divisions, the open class champions were heavyweight Leonardo Gonçalves and middleweight Vitoria Vieira.

2023 Rio Fall Open team results:

1. GF Team

2. Nova Uniao

3. Gracie Barra

2023 Rio Fall Open No-Gi team results

1. Gracie Barra

2. Double Five

3. GF Team