10 questions the 2013 Worlds will probably answer

15 May, 2013

The 2013 Worlds are getting closer and the anxiety is growing. This year’s event will feature some long awaited moments that can answer numerous questions that have been on everybody’s minds. We gathered 10 of those questions and we want you to join the conversation on each one of them.

1. Who’s the new king of Jiu-Jitsu? Buchecha or Rodolfo?

Rodolfo finished Buchecha in 2011 in the open class semifinal, but in 2012 Buchecha defeated Rodolfo in the absolute quarterfinals. This year they will probably meet again to break that tie for the title of current king of competition Jiu-Jitsu. Is Buchecha in a better position? Can Rodolfo come up with a strategy to reclaim his crown?

Rodolfo Vieira and Marcus Buchecha in the 2012 Worlds

2. Can anyone prevent an absolute final between Rodolfo and Buchecha?

The two stars are clearly the favorites to face each other on Sunday, June 2, in the 2013 Worlds male black belt open class final. Can any other fighter claim a spot in that match? Maybe Bernardo Faria, Leonardo Nogueira, André Galvão, etc.? Or maybe Fabio Gurgel, the supreme ruler of the open class bracket design will be able to make Rodolfo and Buchecha meet before the final (just kidding)?

Leonardo Nogueira in the 2012 Worlds

3- Will Clark Gracie be able to put the family back on the top of an adult male black belt podium?

Since Roger Gracie’s double gold three years ago, no Gracie has had a gold medal hanging from his neck in the male adult open class division. Can Clark break that dry spell with his omoplata locks game? The middleweight division should be one of the toughest of them all.

Clark Gracie in the 2013 Pan

4- Will Atos JJ’s black belt squad plus Keenan be able to debunk Alliance from the top of the teams’ competition?

With the breakdown of Team Lloyd Irvin’s Medal Chasers squad, Atos JJ inherited some of the toughest guys from Maryland, namely Keenan Cornelius and JT Torres. On top of that, the team has gathered an impressive roster of black belts, as well as brown and purple belts, all able to score precious points. They have the Mendes brothers, Galvão, Ary Farias, Bruno Frazatto, Ed Ramos, Guto Campos, Claudio Calasans Jr, Michel Liera, Michael Perez, Jordon Schultz, among others. Will this squad of aces be able to dethrone the army of Alliance, which has won the adult teams competition every time since 2008?

Atos JJ in San Diego

5- Is Gabi Garcia really unbeatable among women?

The last time Gabi lost a match in the World Championship was in 2009, when she faced Lana Stefanac. Since then, she conquered six medals, five golds and a silver (closing out the absolute with teammate Luana Alzuguir, in 2010). Beatriz Mesquita has been trying, but so far hasn’t succeeded to find a way to defeat Gabi. Will the 2013 Worlds be the stage for such a shocker?

Gabi Garcia fights Beatriz Mesquita at the 2012 Worlds

6- Will Caio Terra really stay in light-feather and if so can he pose a real threat to Gui Mendes?

The last four final matches of the roosterweight division in the World Championship put Caio Terra face to face with Bruno Malfacine. Unfortunately for Terra, the outcome was always in favor of Malfacine. For 2013, Caio announced that he is going to compete in the light-feather division. Will he be able to dethrone reigning three-time champion Gui Mendes?

Caio terra and Bruno Malfacine in the 2012 Worlds

7- Can Cobrinha prevent Rafael Mendes from becoming a four-time world champion, like himself and Royler?

The semifinal in 2009 was the last time the referees decided a match against Rafael Mendes in favor of Cobrinha. The four-time featherweight world champion has an extra reason to try to defeat his greatest rival once again on the biggest stage of Jiu-Jitsu. If Rafael wins in 2013, he will join Cobrinha and Royler Gracie as the third guy to win four titles in a row in the division.

Cobrinha in the 2012 Worlds

8- Are we going to see the third non-Brazilian win an adult male black belt division?

Technicaly, Clark Gracie is American, despite his strong Brazilian roots. Besides the Gracie, Rafael Lovato Jr. wants his second world title in gi (but that would keep the count of only two non-Brazilian guys ever winning a male black belt division in the Worlds), DJ Jackson also has some chances, as his former teammate JT Torres.

Rafael Lovato Jr in the 2007 Worlds

9- Will the Miyao Bros finally defeat Keenan?

According to Keenan himself, he fought the two brothers nine times and won them all. At the 2013 European Open, Paulo Miyao almost got Keenan’s back, but ended up having his guard passed. Can the siblings come up with a strategy to defeat their nemesis?

Paulo Miyao and Keenan Cornelius at the 2013 Euro Open

10- Will anyone be disqualified for using the double guard pull?

Much talk was generated by the double DQ applied by the referee at the 2013 WPJJC brown belt absolute final, between Paulo Miyao and Keenan Cornelius. Can that happen again? The IBJJF refs have been more tolerant towards the double guard pull, but will they change their behavior?