With 1,200 athletes stepping onto the mats for competition, the 2012 South American Championship in Florianópolis brought some joy, adrenaline and peace to Santa Catarina, a state stricken by a wave of violence over the last few weeks.
“Besides Brazil and Argentina, the United States, Canada, Portugal and Spain were all represented. It was the best South American Championship to date,” said co-promoter Claudio Arraes.
The trophy for best adult team went to Alliance, whose Léo Leite closed out the absolute with teammate Léo Nogueira on the Saturday preceding the Sunday final. The bronze medals for the open weight division went to Guto Campos and Alexandro Ceconi.
On Sunday there were other black belts putting on a show:
Roosterweight:
Gold medalist Igor Rodrigues (CheckMat)
Silver medalist Marcos Franco (Gracie Barra)
Light featherweight:
Gold medalist Rayfan Barbosa’s (Associação Monteiro de Manaus)
Silver medalist Leandro Martins (CheckMat)
Featherweight:
Gold medalist Isaque Paiva (Cicero Costha)
Silver medalist José Tiago (Cicero Costha)
Lightweight:
Gold medalist Kim Terra (CheckMat)
Silver medalist Sandro Gabriel (CheckMat)
Middleweight:
Gold medalist Giderson Barros (Carlson Gracie)
Silver medalist Jacob Mackenzie (GFTeam)
Medium heavyweight:
Gold medalist Guto Campos
Silver Medalist Rodrigo “Pimpolho” Fajardo (Gracie Barra)
Guto Campos. Photo: Gustavo Aragão/GRACIEMAG
Heavyweight:
Gold medalist Fabiano Junior (Alliance)
Silver medalist Alexandro Ceconi
Superheavyweight:
Gold medalist Léo Nogueira (Alliance)
Silver medalist André Alberto (Gracie Barra)
Ultraheavyweight:
Gold medalist Léo Leite (Alliance)
Silver medalist Felipe Pareira (Gracie Floripa)
Female absolute:
Gold medalist Marina Ribeiro (CheckMat)
Silver medalist Talita Treta (Ryan Gracie)
Bronze medalists Leticia Lalli (CheckMat) and Delcia Enricone (Behring)
Brown belt absolute:
Gold medalist Felipe “Preguiça” Pena (Gracie Barra)
Silver medalist Alysson Rossei (Nova União)
Bronze medalists Bruno Cuppari (Brasa) and Marcelo Tarso (Guetho Jiu-Jitsu)
Check out the official results on the CBJJ website by clicking here.
