Kyra Gracie will not be competing in the 2013 ADCC. Photo: Luca Atalla/ GRACIEMAG
The current -60kg women’s champion of the ADCC, Kyra Gracie, has confirmed she will not be taking part in this year’s edition of the event in Beijing, China. The ADCC is the charming no-gi tournament held by Sheikh Tahnoon of Abu Dhabi.
“I believe I have achieved my goal at the ADCC,” Gracie said this Thursday, September 5, without speaking any further. Kyra is a three-time -60kg ADCC champion (2005/2007/2011).
Away from the mats since the 2012 Worlds, the champion has been working as a commentator for Brazilian fight channel Combate, and has focused most of her attention on her social project geared toward kids and youths in Rio de Janeiro – the Kapacidade institute.
Hannette Staack was invited but will also be stepping out of the ADCC spotlight as her prior professional commitments have taken priority. She passed her invitation on to Ida Hansson of the Checkmat team in Denmark who will take her place in the over 66 kg division. Hannette won the tournament in both 2007 and 2009. Ida has competed in the event two times already, 2009 and 2011.
Promoters have yet to announce who gets Kyra’s spot in the tournament, which plays out on October 19-20.
