Increasing Jiu-Jitsu’s reach with each passing weekend, the AJP has once again promoted a batch of stellar tournaments in different areas of the planet, giving athletes a chance to not only compete but to also choose which place they would visit.
This time around, Ukraine, the Czech Republic, Portugal, and Moldova all held their tournaments on Saturday, March 16th, setting up the organization’s mats and welcoming aspiring champions into their arenas.
Without further ado, let’s check out the highlights from each championship!
AJP Tour Kyiv International Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2024: Leonid Chelakhov and Togrul Ibragimli submit and keep the gold in Ukraine
Taking place at the National University of Physical Education and Sports of Ukraine, the Kyiv International was the hub for colored belts aiming to prove themselves and take another step in their journey through Jiu-Jitsu. It was in this proving ground that two local Professional purple belts managed to stand out from their peers, giving their all and submitting their opponents to become champions.
Fighting in the gi at the 120kg division, Leonid Chelakhov (ZR Team Association) left little room for doubt when it comes to his skills. Entering the bracket to face Eugene Bolotnov (Atos) in the final, Leonid went all in from the get-go, overwhelming his opponent and landing his winning submission in the very first minute of the bout to take the gold.
Later on, at the No-Gi 77kg division, Togrul Ibragimli (Karabakh BJJ Academy) showed his prowess while fighting for the title. Facing his countryman Fahan Hiulaliiev (ZR team Association) in the final, Togrul also did not waste much time in putting his game into motion, scoring a 3-0 before locking a submission to climb the podium.
Check out the full results here!
AJP Tour Prague International Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2024: Eldar Rafigaev dominates his opponents to take the double gold in the Czech Republic
Welcoming athletes from all over the world, the Sportovní Hala TJ Spoje Praha set up the AJP mats in its halls and the Prague International started putting each and every one of the competitors to the test in their respective divisions. Among the many warriors who rose to the challenge, the Moldovan black belt Eldar Rafigaev (Jungle BJJ) became a highlight by using his Jiu-Jitsu to completely dominate his opponents and conquer the coveted double gold.
His journey began at the 120kg division, with a three-man bracket standing as a hurdle between Eldar and the title. In his first match, the Moldovan athlete faced Brazil’s Amilcar Santos (GFTeam) and needed just a little over a minute to lock a submission and advance to the final, where he would face his teammate Pavel Srnensky. Despite being from the same gym, Pavel was unable to keep up with Eldar throughout the five minutes of the gold round and found himself on the receiving end of Eldar’s arsenal. When the clock ran out, an astounding 28-1 score landed Eldar his first gold.
He returned to the battlefield a little later, this time ready to tackle the No-Gi 120kg division. His opponent this time around was the Israeli Roni Gilgor (Soul Fighter Israel) and both competitors went all out to secure the title, but Eldar was once again on a roll and locked the submission to take the win and his second gold medal.
Check out the full results here!
AJP Tour South Portugal Regional Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2024: Matheus Vetoraci and Neocicero Barbosa take the double gold in Pinhal Novo
Another competition that took place on Saturday was the South Portugal Regional, landing at the Pavilhão Desportivo Mun. do Pinhal Novo for an entire afternoon of Jiu-Jitsu. Colored and black belts from all over the world were welcomed in the fight areas to fight for glory and ranking points, but two Brazilian black belts from the Professional category stole the show by conquering not one but two gold medals on the same day.
Representing Blvckout Grappling, Matheus Vetoraci fought with and without the gi to completely conquer the 85kg division. Starting with the cloth, he found himself facing the local Edcarlos Oliveira (ZR Team Association) in his first final, but the duel was short-lived as Matheus unleashed his game and locked the winning submission with less than a minute on the clock. Later on, now fighting without the gi, Matheus faced his countryman Samuel Cassimiro (G13BJJ), and this time the fight lasted the entirety of the regulated time, with Matheus scoring multiple times while giving his opponent no chance to fight back. At the end of it all, a 13-0 score landed Matheus atop the podium for the second time.
Meanwhile, the 94kg division belonged to Vision BJJ’s representative Neocicero Barbosa. Fighting only Brazilian opponents in the tournament, Neocicero started in the gi, defeating Mikael Rhaillander (Apex Jiu-Jitsu HQ) by 7-1 in the semis and then beating Lucas Azevedo (ZR Team Association) in the final with a 2-0 score. With one gold medal hanging from his shoulders, Neocicero returned to once again conquer the 94kg division, this time without the gi, and found himself once again facing Lucas Azevedo. The rematch was trickier than the first match as Lucas not only held on better but also managed to score. When the clock ran out, a narrow 3-2 score gave Neocicero his second gold medal.
Check out the full results here!
AJP Tour Bessarabia Regional Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2024: Ceban Dumitru seizes the double gold in Moldova
Last but not least, the Bessarabia Regional landed at the State University of Physical Education and Sport, attracting athletes of all ages and graduations to step up to its battlefield and show they have what it takes to become an AJP champion. Many competitors managed to prove themselves worthy, but perhaps none more than the local brown belt Ceban Dumitru (On-Top Moldova), who fought tooth and nail to conquer the coveted double gold.
His journey began at the 94kg division, where he had to fight twice against the Polish Cezary Bielak (Rio Grappling Club Poland) to take the title. The first fight was a tricky one, with both sides attacking and defending well, which resulted in a 0-0 score that lasted five minutes of regulated time and another minute of overtime, with Ceban taking the win via decision. The final round saw a more comfortable Ceban take the stage, unleashing his game throughout the match and beating his opponent with a 5-0 score.
Ceban found himself on the mats again a little later, this time taking part in the brown/black Open Heavyweight division. This time around, he would have to overcome the Moldovan black belt Gheorghe Ciobanu (FN Fight.Co World) to taste victory, but he kept his cool and found his opportunity. On the latter end of the duel, Gheorghe was ahead on the scoreboard by 1-0, but Ceban found a gap in his opponent’s defense and capitalized with a well-placed submission to climb the podium yet again.
Check out the full results here!
