San Jose, CA’s IMA – Gracie Fighter World Class Champions and Instructors August “Quexinho” and Flavio Meier raise the gold plaque high as they stand side by side fellow Gracie Fighter, champion & frequent guest to the academy Samir Chantre at the 2012 American Cup podium.
The Gracie Fighter Adult Team scored 66 points giving them an eleven point lead from the 2nd place Ralph Gracie Team who scored 55 points and 3rd place Coalition 95 Team scoring 54 points. That made for a very close and nail biting one point difference between the second and third place team winners .
The 5th American Cup Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Tournament was held at Independence High School located just minutes from the San Jose Airport.
Saturday, April 28, 2012, the first day of the tournament, was exclusively for Kids year born 1997 – 2008, Blue & Brown Belt Divisions. There was a total of 53 Gracie Fighter Kids (1997-2008). 10 of the 53 from IMA – Gracie Fighter and 8 of the 10 were first time competitors.
Sunday, April 29, 2012, the second day of the tournament, was for competitors in the White, Purple, & Black Belt Divisions as well as the female Brown/Black divisions. Two Gracie Fighter Male Juveniles represent. First at White Juvenile Male Light 152 Rafael Garcia who fights hard in deep division and White Juvenile Middle 163 lbs Josh Vasquez from IMA takes the Silver Medal.
There was no Gracie Fighter Juvenile (1995 & 1996) female or adult women who competed at this year’s American Cup but 33 adult men were flying the Gracie Fighter flag – three of which are from IMA. Dominic Kunz – Gold Blue Adult Medium Heavy , Manuel Diaz who brings home double gold- Gold Purple Adult Heavy & Gold Absolute Purple, Augusto “Queixinho” – Gold Black Adult Light & Bronze Absolute Black.
5x World Champion and 5x World Champion Caio Terra is at the tail end of his Seminar Tour and sends this message
“Congrats to everyone who competed this weekend and made this happen!!! Getting Team First place at the American Cup with 10 people competing requires some amazing skills!!!!
Amazing!!! OSS!!!!!!!!!”
