For the second consecutive year, Paris has hosted an exceptional event: the IBJJF European Championship. Organized in collaboration with the French federation CFJJB, this internationally renowned competition celebrated its 20th anniversary, solidifying its status as a major tournament in the global Jiu Jitsu calendar year after year. It is one of the four most important competitions in the world (a circuit known as the Grand Slam), alongside the Pan, Brasileiro, and World Championships.
Originally based in Lisbon for its first 17 editions, this championship has recently traveled across Europe, stopping in Rome in 2022 before settling in Paris in 2023 and 2024, thanks to the vision and dedication of CFJJB and its president, David Giorsetti, in close collaboration with IBJJF.
From January 20th to 27th, in the French capital, the world renowned « Institut du Judo » welcomed no fewer than 5,300 competitors from around the globe (representing 85 countries). Indeed, this championship is an open event, welcoming athletes of all nationalities, adding to its prestige and competitiveness.
This year, special attention was given to refereeing, with the introduction of cameras in front of each mat to enable the use of VAR, ensuring even more precise and fair officiating.
Also accessible to practitioners more inclined towards recreational practice, the championship features a wide range of categories, from juvenile white belts (16-17 years old) to master 7 black belts (over 61 years old). This is one of the specificity of most Jiu Jitsu tournaments, where amateurs compete alongside the best athletes in the world, side by side.
While all categories are highly competitive, it’s the adult black belt category that garners the most attention, where the most skilled athletes vie for the European title. However, colored belts in the adult division should not be underestimated, as they represent the pool of future champions and also attract an impressive number of professional athletes.
2024 Male European Black Belt champions are:
Rooster – Thalison Soares
Light Feather – Meyram Maquiné Alves
Feather – Kennedy Maciel
Light – Elijah Dorsey
Middle – Micael Galvao
Medium Heavy – Mauricio Oliveira
Heavy – Adam Wardzinski
Super Heavy – Erich Munis
Ultra Heavy – Gutemberg Pereira
Open Class – Gutemberg Pereira
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The standout athlete was definitely Micael Galvao, who won all his matches by submission. Gutemberg Pereira, who recently joined AOJ, started the year strong with the double gold performance.
The only European to win gold this year was Adam Wardzinski, in a dominating final against Fellipe Andrew. Only one other non-brazilian in this list, Elijah Dorsey from the USA, won his final match against Espen Mathiesen by two advantages.
To date, no French male has claimed the adult black belt title. Among women, only two French athletes had won the title before this year: Océane Talvard in 2011 and Laurence Cousin in 2014. Aurélie Le Vern, representing Six Blades Jiu Jitsu, made history by becoming the third French female champion to win the IBJJF European Championship.
2024 Female European Black Belt champions are:
Rooster – Shelby Murphey
Light Feather – Jessica Caroline Dantas
Feather – Margot Ciccarelli
Light – Julia Alves
Middle – Thalyta Lima
Medium Heavy – Aurélie Le Vern
Heavy – Melissa Cueto
Super Heavy – Gabrieli Pessanha
Open Class – Gabrieli Pessanha
Once more, Gabrieli Pessanha showed her dominance by winning her division and the open class.
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In the master categories, France produced numerous champions, making it one of the most decorated nations in the competition overall. The success of this competition reflects the continuous rise of French Jiu Jitsu on the international stage and confirms Paris as a must-visit destination for enthusiasts of the sport.
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