Langhi (in white) in action in Tijuca in 2010 / Photo: Gustavo Aragão
The Brazilian National Jiu-Jitsu Championship has come to be a stern final test for the Worlds, as well as being a major title to hold for its winners. With the ever-increasing level of prowess on display, the fighters who took to the mats at the event this Sunday did not disappoint.
A number of world champions made it to the finals – and the first black belt champion of the 2011 Brazilian Nationals comes from Australia.
Ultraheavyweight Michael Wilson (Peter deBeen) took gold after beating Mario Neto (Nova União) in the semifinals. At the other end of the bracket, Luiz Big Mac and Bruno Mathias were disqualified for stalling, so those two took bronze.
The heavyweight divisional final has also been decided, as CheckMat teammates Antonio Carlos “Cara de Sapato” and Paulo Tarcísio closed out.
At roosterweight, Bruno Malfacine kept up his winning form, securing his place in the final against Felipe Costa (Brasa), who overcame Pablo Teixeira (Brazilian Fight) and Igor Rodrigues (CheckMat).
“Felipe and I have known each other a long time; we know each other’s games by heart. The one who prepared better will win,” said Bruno, before taking off for a light lunch.
The Alliance roosterweight went through to the final after beating Elvis Deyvid (GFTeam): he swept, got back mount and finished with a choke.
At light featherweight, Ary Farias (Atos) is going for his first win in the Brazilian Nationals as a black belt, and there to try and stop him is Gabriel Moraes, 2004’s world champion.
At featherweight, Bruno Frazatto (Atos) is through to the final once again, where he will meet the game Leonardo Cascão. Who will win this showdown? Check back to find out later.
The lightweight division provided two of the best matches of the event so far. In the first semifinal, Leandro “Lo” Pereira swept Augusto Tanquinho twice in a hard-fought match, seeing him through to the final. At the other end of the bracket, two-time world champion Michael Langhi made it past Davi Ramos in a riveting affair, where Michael ran into difficulties, before getting back on track and scoring 4 to 0, even coming close on a number of arm attacks. One for the ages.
The two survivers of the always stacked middleweight division were Augusto “Tio Chico” Vieira (Renzo), who had two great matches prior – like the one against Rodrigo Caporal –, and Daniel Garcia (Nova União).
The medium heavyweight division is underway, with absolute finalist Sérgio Moraes in the mix. The other absolute finalist, Léo Nogueira, who is also from Alliance, succumbed to the effects of yesterday’s effort and lost in the heavyweight division.