The 2016 International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation World Championships took place in Long Beach, CA at the CSULB Walter Pyramid. As with every year we saw an even more diverse group of international competitors and spectators from all over the world to cheer on their favorite competitors.

El Dorado Hills Brazilian Jiu  Jitsu had three competitors. Steve Chaffin in the adult white belt division, Zack Smith in the adult blue belt division, and Eliot Kelly in the adult black belt division.  Pictures and short clips from the championships can be viewed on our instagram (follow us!).

Steve, competing in his first World Championships finished with a BRONZE medal! He had a dominating performance in the quarter final round winning on points. In the semi final he fell short of getting to the finals after being outscored by his opponent who went on to win the Gold. With two children and working a full time job, Steve worked very hard to get to the world championships in the best physical and technical condition possible! We’re excited to see his progress from this experience.

Zack made his debut for worlds in the lightest rooster weight division. Another full time family man and with a full time job, Zack has was on a roll winning the Pan American Championships and American Cup leading up to the World Championships. Although he lost his first fight, Zack came away with a new appreciation for learning some of the different attacks and positions. We’re excited to see his improvement into 2016.

Eliot began with the black belt open class (all weights combined) and won his first fight by an advantage. In his second fight he faced the reigning world champion Marcus Almeida (Buchecha) and fell short 6-0. Following the open class, Eliot lost his opening match and fell short from making it to the placing rounds. Eliot has a new sense of enthusiasm to compete and train after competing with the best in the world.

Here are the champions from the 2016 IBJJF World Championships:

MALE CHAMPIONS:
Rooster: Bruno Malfacine
Light Feather: Paulo Miyao
Feather: Rafael Mendes
Light: Lucas Lepri
Middle: Otavio Sousa
Medium Heavy: Leandro Lo
Heavy: Andre Galvao
Super Heavy: Leandro Nogueira
Ultra Heavy: Marcus Almeida
Open: Marcus Almeida
FEMALE CHAMPIONS:
Rooster: Rikako Yuasa
Light Feather: Gezary Bandeira
Feather: Mackenzie Dern
Light: Beatriz Mesquita
Middle: Monique Elias
Medium Heavy: Andresa Correa
Heavy: Fernanda Maio
Super Heavy: Dominyka Obelenyte
Open: Dominyka Obelenyte

EDH JiuJitsu 
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