The Saturday afternoon of March 2 was completely devoted to Jiu-Jitsu at Nothwood High School in Irvine, Calif.
The Gracie Barra Competition Network (GB Compnet) held its first event of the year, the 2013 Season Opener.
More than 700 students from schools all over the state and the country were present to compete.
Professor Nelson Monteiro, GB Compnet’s director, along with Professor Rafael Ramos, defined the event that is much more than a championship for the Gracie Barra community.
“It’s a get-together. A bunch of friends gathered,” said Professor Monteiro.
Since 8 a.m., kids, teens and adults stepped on the six mats and gave their best.
Again, to make sure everyone knew that this was much more than a championship, before every kids’ division started, one professor guided the kids in a group warm-up session. This is the same warm-up every GB student does at his or her class.
Professor Marcio Feitosa, fourth-degree black belt, arrived at the gymnasium around 8 a.m. and stayed until the end.
He also talked about the importance of the event: “It’s really a celebration. It’s much more than winning or losing. Here, we take care of each kid to provide the best atmosphere for him or her to feel a integral part of the Gracie Barra family.”
Many GB stars and professors were there, such as Romulo Barral, Otavio Sousa, Kayron Gracie, Philipe Della Monica, Ana Laura Cordeiro, Marco Joca and Orlando Sanchez.
The next GB Compnet event in California happens in October.
Here is a exclusive photo gallery of the Saturday:
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