Resident of Spain Yan Cabral won in Lisbon. Photo: Personal archive.
This Saturday on the outskirts of Lisbon, the World Pro tryouts organized by Sérgio Vita and Zé Marcello took place. With the approach of the European Open, there was a large number of Brazilians signed up for the event, and they dominated the black belt division.
As previously reported here on GRACIEMAG.com, Lucio “Lagarto” (Gracie Barra) won the absolute division, beating Alan “Finfou” (CheckMat) in the final. But there were a number of standouts at the competition counting approximately 180 participants in the Pavilhão dos Lombos gymnasium in Cascais, 25 km outside of Lisbon.
The under 65 kg division was won by veteran Wellington “Megaton” (Gracie Humaitá), now guaranteed an all-expenses-paid trip to the World Pro main event in Abu Dhabi. Now the under 74 kg division was all Augusto “Tanquinho” Mendes’s (Soul Fighters). The black belt got the tapout in his first two matches and won the decider with an 18-0 drubbing.
Tanquinho at the top, again / Photo: Personal archive
In the under 83 kg division, Alan “Finfou” took gold, also making it to the final of the absolute. The under 92 kg winner was Yan Cabral (Tarântula), beating absolute champion Lúcio “Lagarto” iin the final. “It was a great match. I landed a takedown early on, he swept, but then I got him back with a sweep of my own,” Yan tells GRACIEMAG.com.
In the over 92 kg, José Junior, from Rio de Janeiro state beach town Araruama, took top honors.
The ladies were in action, too. The winner of the under 63 kg division was Michelle Nicolini (CheckMat), defeating Mackenzie Dern in the decider. In the weight class above, Monica Silva (2 Brothers) took the gold.
“It was the first time a World Pro qualifier was held in Portugal and everyone is of the opinion that it was quite positive. We hope next year will be even better and with the same response from the athletes,” remarks organizer Sergio “Telinho” Vita.