The 2022 Sul Americano Sem Kimono went down on Saturday November 19th in São José dos Pinhais, Brazil. As 2023 rapidly approaches, many Brazil based athletes were looking to get in another competition prior to the end of the year. The overall team champions were Gracie Barra, who had 81 athletes registered for the event.

In the adult male black belt open class, it was Pedro “Bom Bom” Alex who became champion. Pedro has had an excellent 2022, taking second at the Brazilian Nationals and winning multiple open events. The GF Team standout won all five of his fights at the Sul Americano. “I had five tough fights at the event, two in my division and three more in the open class. I only had one submission in the open class semifinal against Lago. I felt really great throughout the competition. I made a strategy for each one of my opponents and I was confident that all that I’d planned would work, and it worked!” Although there are only a few more tournaments left in 2022, Pedro plans to take advantage of the opportunities to improve his game. “I want to finish my year fighting at Balneário Open and Brasília Open. Then I’ll take time to make my 2023 calendar.”

The female open class champion of the Sul Americano Sem Kimono was multiple time World Champion Fernanda Mazzelli. “I had two fights in the open class. It was almost three months since I last competed, I had the pleasure of being back in competitions. I’ll be competing next at the World No-Gi.”

Other standout competitors who gold at the Sul Americano Sem Kimono included Cleber Sousa and Wallisson Oliveira, who won the featherweight and middleweight divisions, respectively.

2022 Sul Americano Sem Kimono adult male team results:

1. Gracie Barra
2. Alliance SP
3. CheckMat

2022 Sul Americano Sem Kimono adult female team results:

1. CheckMat
2. Flavio Behring Association - Parana
3. Gracie Barra