Rodolfo Vieira and Leo Nogueira may have a sequel to their 2009 match, won by Rodolfo. Photo: Carlos Ozório
The Rio International Open starts this Thursday at Rio de Janeiro’s traditional Jiu-Jitsu venue, the Tijuca Tennis Club. The division with the biggest buzz about it, the black belts take to the mats on Saturday, in the absolute dispute, and Sunday, with the weight groups.
GRACIEMAG.com took a peek at the athletes confirmed to compete and put together a list of some of the ones likely to make it to the top of their respective divisions this weekend.
Light featherweight – Gabriel Moraes (Monteiro), Bernardo Pitel (Nova União) and Samir Chantre (Gracie Fighter).
Featherweight – Mario Reis (Gracie Barra), Theodoro Canal (GFTeam) and Renan Borges (BTT Boston).
Lightweight – Bruno Frazatto (Atos) and Augusto Tanquinho (Soul Fighters).
Again, Tanquinho and Frazatto could meet in the lightweight final. Photo: Carlos Ozório
Middleweight – Vitor Henrique (GFTeam), Vinícius Marinho (GFTeam), Lucio Charly Brown (Gracie Barra) and Jonatas Novaes (Brasa).
Medium heavyweight – Rodrigo Fajardo (Gracie Barra Curitiba), Felipe Cranivata (Gracie Barra), Renan Vital (Gordo-Evolve), Kleber Buiú (Gracie Barra), Eduardo Milioli (Rillion Gracie).
Heavyweight – Jefferson Moura (Gracie Barra), Rodolfo Vieira (GFTeam) and Leonardo Nogueira (Alliance).
Superheavyweight – Igor Silva (GFTeam) and Bruno Bastos (Nova União).
Ultraheavyweight – Stephen Hall (Alliance).
Beatriz Mesquita is on a roll in the female division. Photo: Carlos Ozório
Female – Beatriz Mesquita (Gracie Humaitá), Marina Soares (CheckMat) and Maria do Carmo (De La Riva).
All the brackets and timetable are available on the IBJJF website.
What about you, reader, who would you like to see on the list?