Rômulo Barral in action at Spring Open / Photo: John Cooper
The IBJJF-promoted Spring Open shook things up at the Long Beach Convention Center last Saturday in California. At the event that played out at the World Jiu-Jitsu Expo, Otávio Sousa of team Gracie Barra won the middle and open weight divisions. Another big standout was Rômulo Barral, who closed out the absolute with Otávio and won the medium heavyweight division.
On his way to assuming his post atop the podium, Rômulo had to overcome a number of adversaries. In the video below you can see him getting a choke from half-guard. Notice how patient Barral is in controlling the lapel and working his way to where he wanted to be. By distracting his opponent with passing half-guard, he sunk the choke and wrapped up the encounter.
