By Loren Senior
The World Pro Jiu-Jitsu Championship is the crucible in which the top Jiu-Jitsu players are forged. The World Pro qualifiers are held in the America’s, Asia, Europe and Africa drawing the best competitors from each of these continents. Started in 2009 by Supreme Prince and Commander In Chief of the United Arab Emirates National Army H. H. Sheik Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the tournament sets out to determine the best of the best in the sport.
This year marks Wellington “Megaton” Dias first journey to the World Pro Jiu-Jitsu Cup. Megaton is well known as a fierce competitor in the IBJJF arena, competing in the adult division while many of his contemporaries have long left the mat. Megaton is the only one to compete at every IBJJF World Championship at the black belt level. This year Megaton dominated the World Pro qualifier in Portugal taking first place and securing a spot in the World Pro Jiu-Jitsu Cup. What really makes this truly monumental are those who will be joining him.
Joining Megaton in Abu Dhabi for the World Pro Cup this year will be Luciana Dias, his wife, and Mackenzie Dern, his daughter. Both Luciana and Mackenzie secured a first place and qualified for the World Pro Cup in the Montreal World Cup qualifier. This truely sets the bar high for all the families of Jiu-Jitsu. A new record has been achieved, an entire family qualifying for the prestigious World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Cup.
Mackenzie Dern has been on a winning streak since receiving her purple belt in 2009. She has won eight gold medals as a purple belt, this includes metals earned at the 2010 Worlds. It is of special note that Augusto Tanquinho Mendes is also going to Abu Dhabi as a competitor. Augusto and Mackenzie are known to be an item.
Luciana has also dominated her competition. She has medaled in the IBJJF Pans over ten times. Adding to Luciana’s feat is that she is also one of the oldest female competitors.
The World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Cup of 2011 has the makings to be an outstanding exhibition of Jiu-Jitsu. With the addition of Megaton, Luciana, and Mackenzie all securing first place positions in the qualifiers their place in history has already been secured. Time will tell if they bring home more positions in the record books.
