Vitor surprised Mario Reis. Photo: Carlos Ozório
The first Brazilian trials for all-expense-paid trips to the World Pro in Abu Dhabi started yesterday, in Gramado, Rio Grande do Sul, and, as has now become the norm, some established aces have lost to new revelations.
That was the case with two-time world champion Mario Reis (Gracie Barra), who overcame a tough Vitor Henrique (GFTeam) in the under 74kg division. Vitor, who entered the tryouts as an underdog, surprised four opponents and is guaranteed in the semifinals.
Besides, what there was no lack of was top-level Jiu-Jitsu and, despite being just the first day of competition, other favorites fell along the way, like Bernardo Augusto (Alliance), submitted by Rodolfo Vieira (GFTeam) in the quarter-finals , and Eduardo “Portugues” Santoro (Cia Paulista), who was stopped on points by Adriano Silva (Barbosa), also in the quarterfinals.
Besides the gang from GFTeam, with four semifinalists in Rodolfo, Denilson Pimenta, Vitor Henrique and the impressive brown belt José Carlos, Atos went on a tear, with the Mendes brothers, Bruno Frazatto, Rodrigo Caporal, Claudio Calasans, Guto Campos and Victor Mason all in the semifinals, a total of seven qualified for Sunday.
Among the heavier fighters, Ricardo Demente and Charles Cachoeira also had good runs and may even make it to the final on Sunday. However, Demente won’t have it easy and will have to beat the current heavyweight world runner-up, Alexandre de Souza (Crolin Gracie).
Guto Campos tied up Vinícius Marino and is one of the Atos reps in the semifinals. Photo: Carlos Ozório
Check out how the semi-finals shaped up to be:
Female – under 63kg
Luanna Alzuguir (Alliance) vs Camila Motta
Beatriz Mesquita (Gracie Humaitá) vs Michelle Nicolini (Checkmat)
Over 63kg
Silvana Abreu (Manimal) vs Diana Menezes (Bonsai)
Gabrielle Garcia (Alliance) vs Patricia Amanda
Male – under 65kg
Rafael Mendes (Atos) x Denilson Pimenta (GFTeam)
Guilherme Mendes (Atos) x Marcos Alexandre (Asle)
Under 74kg
Vitor Henrique (GFTeam) vs. Rodrigo Caporal (Atos)
Bruno Frazatto (Atos) vs Claudio Caloquinha (Gracie Barra-BH)
Under 83kg
Adriano Silva (Barbosa) vs Guto Campos (Atos)
Claudio Calasans (Atos) vs José Carlos (GFTeam)
Under 92kg
Rodolfo Vieira (GFTeam) vs Tony Lima (Gracie Floripa)
Alexandre Cecconi (Rilion Gracie) vs Vitor Martins (Atos)
Under 92kg
Ricardo Demente (Nova União) vs Alexandre Souza (Gracie Floripa)
Charles Cachoeira (Gracie Tubarão) x Adrinei Piaia (Sul Caxias)