This past weekend the team headed to Irvine California to compete in the 2016 Pan Jiu Jitsu Championship. This is the biggest event of the year, and consistently breaks records for competitors and attendance. This year was no different!
From the Academy, Ric Cee, Carlos Capela, Henrique Silva, Benji Silva, Paulo Marins, Ryan Walsh, Kaniela Kahuanui, Renato Tegliari, Kristina Barman, Ken Primola, Vitor Paschal and Yuri Simons made the trip. Everyone competed well, and at the end of the day everyone learned something. Both Ken and Ric won their first matches before losing close 2nd matches (Ric by refs decision). Benji who had a great camp made a mental error and slammed his opponent getting disqualified.
In the blue belt masters division, Carlos fought well and took home 3rd! In the adult blue bel division Henrique won 4 matches before losing in the semi final to take home 3rd as well. Kaniela Kahuanui over came a lot just to make this trip, also took him 3rd. Yuri Simons was on a mission to win his 3rd black belt Pans title but fell a little short in the semi’s to the eventual winner, and took him 3rd. Vitor too was on fire beating a very game Isaac Doederlein. In the semi final against Joao Miyao he was up points but after a bad restart could not overcome the position and ended up taking home 3rd. In the black belt adult female division Kristina made it to the final. This is her first pans as a black belt and she did amazing!
Ryan and Renato closed out the purple belt adult division and were crowned 2016 pans champions. Paulo won his division and took home 3rd in the absolute. He continually works hard to get better and better and the results clearly show that.
We have been an association for little over 3 years and as a team we ended up finishing 2nd. In the past year we have placed in numerous majors, American nationals. World No gi, and Europeans. This is just the beginning.
Great job everyone who competed, and thank you for everyone at the academy and in our lives who support what we do. Jiu Jitsu is a tough sport, there are no off seasons and no one gets rich playing Jiu Jitsu. It’s something you have to love doing it, and I’m thankful to be surrounded by so many people who share my passion! Next up world, lets go!!!!!!
~Caio Terra
