Lucas Lepri, here sweeping Roberto Cyborg, is a safe bet to be there defending his titles. Photo: Luca Atalla
The dust has hardly settled from last weekend’s record-breaking Pan-American Championship and competitors are already gearing up for the next big international tourney on the Jiu-Jitsu calendar: the New York International Open Jiu-Jitsu Championship.
The NY Open returns May 1st to NY City College for the second time since its successful debut in 2009, and anyone wishing to participate and save better hurry, as the $102 discount rate ends at 11:59 pm this Friday. From this Saturday till the final deadline of April 24 at 11:59pm, the full $ 117.00 rate applies.
New York and its surrounding area being the hotbed for Jiu-Jitsu that it is, with Renzo Gracie Academy – last year’s winning team –, Ricardo Almeida Academy, East West Combat Club and Alliance strong in the region, there will be no shortage of local talent vying for top spot on the winners’ stand.
Although the athlete list is not yet available, several big names from the competition Jiu-Jitsu scene are likely to be there. With half of Alliance’s winning duo, Lucas Lepri, teaching in New York, it is more than likely the eternal finalist will be there for a repeat his jaw-dropping feat from last year, when he won not only his customary lightweight division, but the absolute, as well.
Pan finalist Marcelino Freitas to compete. Photo: Peter Lueders
Sparks are also bound to fly in the super heavyweight division, with East West Combat Club’s Guybson Sa living in the city. And look for a riveting featherweight group, too, as this year’s Pan-American featherweight finalist Marcelino Freitas guarantees he’ll be there, as he is in Manhattan teaching at the academy of three-time Jiu-Jitsu world champion and former Shooto and Cage Rage champion Vitor “Shaolin” Ribeiro.
Stay tuned to GRACIEMAG.com to find out who else will venture into the NY International Open 2010.
Click here to register.