The International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation returned to Canada on Saturday September 17th for the Toronto International Open. The last time the IBJJF came to Toronto was back in 2018. Toronto has a strong jiu-jitsu culture with teams like Gracie Barra, BJJ Revolution Team, Nova Uniao, R1NG BJJ, and Carlson Gracie Team all having a strong presence in the local community. In the last edition of the event, Cicero Costa Canada and Jiu Jitsu For Life Team had a close battle for the top team. This year was very similar as Jiu Jitsu For Life Team took home the gi title while Cicero Costa Canada won the no-gi title.

In the gi, Justin Primrose of Renzo Gracie Ottawa won the gi open class. The Renzo Gracie representative won one match at super heavy and two matches in the open class to take home double gold. Another standout performance in the gi came from Michael Sheehan of Jiu Jitsu for Life Team. He won lightweight gold with two matches and two submissions.”It felt great to fight at the Toronto Open again, this time in front of my students and as part of the announcement of our new academy Toronto Jiu-Jitsu Club,” said Michael. “I can’t wait to help elevate the level of our city and country for the next generations. Winning with them watching makes it even sweeter!”

Cicero Costha Canada athlete Janine Mutton was the female open class champion in the gi. “I was so grateful to have anyone to fight at the Toronto Open. It’s really hard to get girls locally and I was pumped to see Melissa in the bracket! I knew she was dominating in her division so I knew the fight would be good,” said Janine. “I have been working with some new coaches on nutrition and training and they have really helped me improve my performance! I can’t wait to do No-Gi Pans. No-Gi has been my focal point in the last 8 months. I have won No-Gi Pans in the colored belts but No-Gi Worlds has always escaped me so the plan is to make it happen this time.”

The male no-gi open class winner was Corey Guitard of Fight Sports International. Corey took second at medium-heavy earlier in the day but found redemption in the open where he won his only match.

2022 Toronto International Open team results:

1. Jiu Jitsu For Life Team
2. Cicero Costa Canada
3. Gracie Barra

2022 Toronto International No-Gi team results:

1. Cicero Costa Canada
2. Jiu Jitsu For Life Team
3. Mizu Studio