The Worlds Master is a different kind of tournament. Of course every athlete go in looking for the win in each match and for that they give all they got on the mat, but winning is really not the only thing that matters.
In each match, you find a great story.
It could be a blue belt that joined Jiu-Jitsu after his 50th birthday looking for a new lifestyle or a black belt competing while going through treatment for cancer.
It’s truly a family-oriented event, with wives, husbands, sons and daughters, grandsons and even great-grandsons rooting from the sidelines for their family members on the mats.
It’s a celebration of what Jiu-Jitsu is all about – being active, healthy and being part of an amazing community of people.
Here are 10 images that prove our point.
1. One second after the match is over, that guy is no longer my opponent, but my friend.
2. In two days and thousands of matches, you hardly saw any berimbolo, worm guard and other modern techniques.
3. It’s the one time of the year where you can see how good a competitor Saulo Ribeiro is.
4. It’s so awesome to be able to witness the final moments of great fighters as they retire, like Bernardo Pitel did this year.
5. Despite their preference for the classics, athletes at the Worlds Master also like to try some fancy moves.
6. The number of women competing in 2015 was by far the largest of all four editions. And they put a great show.
7. Russell Redenbaugh said thanks to Jiu-Jitsu in an exhibition match with Xande Ribeiro and inspired the crowd with his example of determination.
8. You got to meet people like Chris Haueter (right), one of the first American black belts ever. He started training in 1988, at Rorion Gracie’s garage.
9. Win or lose, people will always be thankful for being healthy and part of such a great community.
10. In the end, we leave you with Megaton, the only athlete that competed in all World Championships (Adult and Masters) as a black belt. Do like him and love the art above all.
