The ADCC West Coast Trial was one of the biggest and best tournaments in grappling history. Because there was just too much action to cover at once, we’ll be spreading out our coverage of the event in several posts. Be sure to check back for results and recaps from every division at the ADCC West Coast Trials.
For Keith Krikorian, the fourth time is a charm.
After placing second at each of the last three ADCC North American Trials, Krikorian finally punched his ticket to the ADCC World Championship. Krikorian entered the tournament as the top-seeded grappler at 66 kg. and was given a bye in the first round, but still had to win seven matches over the course of two days to capture gold.
Coming into the tournament just week after his thrilling victory over Gabriel Sousa at Who’s Number One, Krikorian looked dialed-in all weekend. And after submission wins over Robert Degle and Mauricio Gomez in the round of 16 and quarterfinals, Krikorian squared off with The B-Team’s Damien Anderson in the semifinals. Krikorian showed off his top game and positional control against Anderson, winning by a score of 5-3.
In the final, Krikorian met Ares BJJ representative Josh Cisneros. Cisneros was one of the event’s breakout stars in his own right. After landing the rare Suloev stretch earlier in the day, Cisneros hit it again in the semifinals against no-gi world champion Gianni Grippo. And with his high-level wrestling, Cisneros seemed to be a real threat to Krikorian.
Krikorian made quick work of Cisneros in the finals, submitting him with an inside heel hook in just under three minutes.
Outside of Krikorian and Cisneros, teenage competitor Andrew Tackett impressed fans and competitors alike, as his all-action, ultra-entertaining style carried him all the way to the quarterfinals where he lost a decision to Anderson. The younger brother to 77 kg. Trials champion William Tackett, Andrew will be a grappler to watch over the next couple of years, and will likely be making even bigger waves at the next ADCC Trials.
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