The World Grappling Games has evolved into a full blown tournament circuit (now planning on holding matches all over the United States, but for the latest event they held right in their own back yard of Huntington Beach The World Grappling Games has evolved into a full blown tournament circuit (now planning on holding matches all over the United States, but for the latest event they held right in their own back yard of Huntington Beach. The event attracted quite a lot of top level talent from the grappling community and competitors as far away as Ohio and West Virginia and New Jersey came to compete!
The day began with the children`s and women`s division and worked its way through the Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced divisions throughout the day. The skill of the competitors was apparent throughout the day and the support in the stands was huge (especially for the children`s divisions).
The Advanced divisions was where the action was at today however, and the mats were flooded with talent at any given point. Case in point was the Advanced Lightweight Division which not only featured the return of Javier Vasquez (from his knee injury at KOTC some months ago) but Bao Quach, Steve Magdaleno and Alex Crispim from Gracie Barra Brazil among others. At the end of the day, questions about Javier`s durability were dismissed as he fought four very tough opponents to take the division title. The featherweight division had plenty of action, which saw black belt Renato Migliaccio defeating a very game Scotty Epstein from Eddie Bravo`s 10th Planet in the finals. A whirlwind of action, Diego Sanchez of Jackson Gaido slammed and submitted his way to both Light Heavy and Medium Heavy Titles. Alex Crispim at about 150 soaking wet split the advanced open weight division with Alberto Crane.
Most of the fighters and coaches stayed at the Hotel Huntington Beach, which at only $49.95 was a serious bargain for some great rooms. It also had the benefit of sharing a parking lot with the Liquid Lounge, where this reporter killed off more than a few brain cells which could have been used to write a longer report. But in the end, grappling, partying, camaraderie; this is what it`s all about, eh? Whether a competitor or a spectator the staff worked hard to ensure everyone had a good time, and the event also featured some of the nicer medals seen in a grappling tournament.
See you at the next Grappling Games in Cincinnati!
Awards Fastest Submission Don Ortega of Santa Fe Jiu-Jitsu
Most Technical Fighter Javier Vasquez of Millenia Fight Team
Best Throw Steve Magdeleno of Caique Jiu-Jitsu
Team Standings 1st place – Jackson’s GuidoJutsu, 2nd place – Machado Jiu-Jitsu, 3rd – Santa Fe BJJ 4th – United BJJ (Carvalho/Dunbar), 5th – Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, 6th – San Diego Fight Club 7th – Fabio Santos Team, 8th – Franco DeCamargo BJJ, 9 th – Joao Pierini/Half Moon Bay 10th – Roy Harris Academy, 11th – Pacific Martial Arts, 12th NJ IMB/Cabeca
PS Aaron, you owe me a beer..ha-ha!