The 2014 Jiu-jitsu season is entering its last trimester so it is time to look back at the incredible thrills we have experienced so far. From the European Open, in January, to the American Nationals, last weekend, the stars of the gentle art were responsible for moments that will stick to our minds for years.
GRACIEMAG, in its mission of covering all things Jiu-Jitsu, was at every corner and for that was able to register those moments through its talented photographers. The first part of this gallery goes from the European Open to the IBJJF Hall of Fame dinner, one day before the Worlds. Enjoy and tell us what kind of emotions this amazing pictures made you feel then and now.
1 – A crowd favorite, Fernando Tererê was once again where he belonged at the European championship, the top of the podium
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2 – Paolo Amodeo made to the podium of his division at the 2014 European and deserved a standing ovation from the crowd
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3 – Alex Trans wrote his name in history when he became the first European to win the Euro Open black belt open class division
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4 – At the Pan, Photographer Carol Gracie captured the exact moment when Milton Bastos celebrated what he thought was a win, the protest of Ivaniel Oliveira saying he did not lose conscience and referee André Glodzinski realizing his mistake. Later on, Milton had to finish Ivaniel again to really win the rooster semifinal
5 – Alliance’s Nicholas Meregali did a great job at the Pan, winning the purple belt open class with this teeth-clenching choke from the back
6 – Leandro Lo proved the efficiency of his passing guard game against Alex Trans in the Pan open class semifinal
7 – André Galvão had a dream-like Pan, winning two gold medals and helping Atos to snatch the teams title from Alliance hands by two points
8 – The Galvão family also shone in the female division with André’s wife Angélica
9 – The power of Inacio Neto’s celebration at the Pan was captured by photographer Erin Herle 
10 – Once again, Abu Dhabi became the BJJ capital of the world in April with the 6th edition of the WPJJC
11 – In Abu Dhabi, two days of kids competition showed that the future of the gentle art in the country is guaranteed
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12 – The FGB arena was built primarily for Jiu-Jitsu competitions, the first of its kind in the world
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13 – The upset of the year happened in Abu Dhabi, when Thiago Barreto defeated Paulo Miyao in the 64kg division first match
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14 – Later on, João Miyao defeated Barreto in the semifinal and secured the gold medal against Tiago Bravo
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15 – Gabi Garcia made only one appearance in big events this year to win double gold in Abu Dhabi
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16 – Roberto Satoshi reached his third gold medal in the WPJJC and celebrated like a true Japanese superhero
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17 – Photographer Ivan Trindade was fortunate enough to catch Braulio Estima’s glance at Keenan Cornelius just before they clashed at the WPJJC
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18 – The two most dominant athletes in BJJ today met at the weigh-in in Abu Dhabi and acted nothing like the bullies you see in MMA
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19 – Leandro Lo did what he could in the open class in Abu Dhabi, but could not avoid tapping to Rodolfo Vieira
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20 – The open class final in Abu Dhabi was the closest Rodolfo got to defeating Buchecha since 2011
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21 – Despite all of Rodolfo’s pressure, Buchecha managed a last-second sweep to win his second gold medal in the absolute
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22 – The two points indicated by the referee turned Rodolfo’s dream into a nightmare
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23 – In Las Vegas, Gerson Aitogue had the perfect face for what it means to fight Rafael Mendes
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24 – After six years away, Ana Laura Cordeiro made her return to competition at the Las Vegas Spring Open
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25 – Marcelo Mafra had a great win in Las Vegas and celebrated accordingly
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26 – In San Jose, during the American Cup, Eliot Kelly choked Bernardo Filho in a way hard enough to be understood, let alone to defend
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27 – The kids rooting for the kids in San Jose, during the American Cup
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28 – Three generations of passion for Jiu-Jitsu
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29 – In a historic picture, the members of the first class of the IBJJF Hall of Fame met on the day before the Worlds
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30 – The IBJJF Hall of Fame dinner was the stage for the first ever Jiu-Jitsu world champions selfie
End of Part 1