Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art that focuses on techniques meant towards subduing or submitting an opponent. It is an off-shoot from the traditional Judo grappling techniques brought to Brazil by Mitsuyo Maeda, a famous Judoka and student of Judo founder Jigoro Kano. It was further developed by Carlos and Helio Gracie until it evolved into what it is today.
It is no surprise that it would reach and flourish in our very own soil. We have seen the rapid growth and development of Philippine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the last 10 years that we now can boast of several home grown black belts propagating and dedicating their lives in forming champions.
Last August 2, Filipino talents duked it out in the recently concluded 2014 Philippine National Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Championships which was held at SM Sucat. It was a day of stunning exhibitions of take-downs and submissions from our local Jiu-Jitsu athletes.
Here are some athletes which had a splendid showing that day:
Michelle Masuda (Deftac) – Masuda used excellent take-down techniques to win her absolute division matches. She bagged silver in her weight division (Women’s White Belt – under 53.5 kg) and won gold in women’s white belt absolute division
Karlo Abarquez (Deftac) and Christoff Hoffman (Deftac) – Abarquez and Hoffman were winners for the Men’s White Belt – under 88.3 kg and Men’s White Belt – Over 100.5 kg division respectively. The teammates closed out the men’s white belt absolute division with Hoffman getting the gold, and Abarquez settling for silver.
Ram Morales (90 – eight BJJ) – Morales used his wrestling game to dominate his opponents finishing 3 out 4 of his matches by submission. Morales received the gold medal in the Men’s white belt -70kg division.
Carlo Laurel (Ronin Jiu-jitsu) – Having entered in his first tournament as a blue belt, Laurel worked his way to winning blue belt men’s -64 kg division.
Ali Khatibi (Deftac) – URCC champion, coming off a BJJ competition hiatus, Khatibi still dominated the men’s blue belt -70kg division.
Jolly Co (Deftac) – Co reigned as champion of the women’s blue belt, -53.5kg division after defeating world champion Meggie Ochoa of Atos.
Matthew Jao (Atos) – Jao, a former member of the Philippine National Judo Team, dominated the Men’s Blue belt absolute division.
Some notable Finals match recaps that happened during the event:
John Rejano (Atos) vs. JP Rubio (Nova Uniao Filipinas)
Men’s Blue belt -57.5kg finals
After defeating heavy favorite JR Rulloda in the semi-final rounds, Rubio squared off against Rejano. Rejano pulled guard at the start of the match, both trying to take a better position. At the 4 minute mark, Rejano swept Rubio and took the lead. Time ran out and Rejano was proclaimed winner.
Carlo Laurel (Ronin Jiu-jitsu) vs. Mike Tabamo (Deftac)
Men’s Blue belt -64kg finals
Laurel dominated the entire match resulting a 37-5 point win against Tabamo.
Ali Khatibi (Deftac) vs. Michael Tiu (Origins BJJ)
Men’s Blue belt -70kg finals
Khatibi started off with a take down. Tiu tried to maintain a guard but Khatibi countered with a knee slice pass, and got a good position. He locked in a kimura to finish off Tiu.
Marc Lim (Kamphuis Fabricio) vs. Glen Toreja (Atos)
Men’s Blue belt -76kg finals
Marc Lim went for the single leg takedown and transitioned for the knee slice pass establishing side control. Lim went for a knee ride, Toreja tried to defend but Lim successfully sank in a choke from the back.
Gerard Gallos (Deftac) vs. Charles Platon (Kamphuis Fabricio)
Men’s Blue belt -82.3kg finals
Gallos pulled to guard early on. Platon tried to pass but to no avail. Gallos swept Platon and stabilized himself in Platon’s half guard. Platon opened up his guard and tried to sweep Gallos, but Gallos successfully passed Platon’s guard and established side control. Platon recomposed his guard but Gallos managed to pass it again eventually landing a side mount. From there, Gallos worked his way to a full mount. Platon escaped, and got to a top position. Platon did a quick pass but landed in Gallos’ half-guard. Platon attempted an armbar at the last minute but failed to make Gallos tap. Gallos was proclaimed the winner and the champion of the division.
Matthew Jao (Atos) vs. Marc Lim (Kamphuis Fabricio)
Men’s Blue belt Open weight finals
Jao tookdown Lim via a Tomoe-nage, but Lim managed to come back on top trying to maintain posture and position in Jao’s guard. Jao eventually took the back and finished Lim with the back choke.
Anne Ramirez (John Baylon Clube de Jiu-jitsu) vs. Natasha Rodriguez (Atos)
Women’s blue belt +58.5kg and Open weight finals
Ramirez and Rodriguez squared off in the finals of both the +58.5kg and blue belt open weight divisions. In both matches, Ramirez started off by attempting a takedown via foot sweep or a hip throw, this gave her the dominant position to start attacking her submissions. In the +58.5kg division, she locked in the armbar to finish the match early on. In the absolute division, Rodriguez defended and attempted to sweep Ramirez. Ramirez successfully defended the sweep and proceeded to pass and to lock in an armbar.
Gian Dee(Atos) vs Jan Cortez (Atos)
Men’s Purple belt -64kg Finals.
Dee and Cortez closed out the Men’s Purple belt – 64kg division. Cortez stepped down for Dee after both players defeated Ken Noda of Ronin Jiu Jitsu
Neil Ferreira (Kamphuis Fabricio) vs Franco Rulloda (Deftac)
Men’s Purple belt -76kg finals
Ferreira and Rulloda resumed their hotly contested rivalry with Ferreira winning in a previous competition. After a heavy exchange of techniques, Rulloda got his revenge and was proclaimed the victor of the day.
Rey Joson (Origins BJJ) vs Jaguar Tang (Kamphuis Fabricio)
Men’s Purple belt -82.3kg finals
Joson began the match by pulling to guard. Tang attempted but failed to pass Joson’s guard. Tang then tried to go for a quick back take but Joson defended successfully and swept Tang to gain the dominant position.
In a back and forth pass and guard recovery attempts by both, Joson nailed a sweep which landed him in Tang’s closed guard. Tang aggressively tried to submit Joson via a wristlock but Joson successfully defended and passed Tang’s closed guard. Tang tried to escape but inadvertently gave his back to Joson who successfully sank in the back choke.
Bryan Lim (Atos) vs Rey Joson (Origins BJJ)
Men’s Purple belt Open weight finals
After defeating their opponents in their first matches in the absolute division, Lim and Joson faced each other in the finals. Lim dominated the game by pulling to guard first and locking in a cross-grip omoplata sweep which landed him on top. Lim finished off Joson with an Americana submission.
You can catch the full results in the BJJFP website
Results for Day 1
Results for Day 2
Next event will be Rollapalooza to be held at Fishermall, Aug 31, 2014. Stay tuned for more details.
Thank you to Lorenzo Tacadao of Bravest Clothing for the photos.
