Auckland, New Zealand, hosted tryouts for the Abu Dhabi WPJJC. Photo by ChewyPineapple/publicity.
The WPJJC Trials are underway the world over. This past Saturday, November 10, it was Auckland, New Zealand’s turn to determine which of their grappling aces will receive all-expenses-paid travel to Abu Dhabi in April for the main event.
And the big name of the tournament was Bruno Alves, the Gracie Barra Sydney rep outdoing William Dias of GBJJ/Nova União.
Bruno had his work cut out for him in getting there, as you can see in the video below. In the semifinal, Bruno took on Jonathan Bell (Tu Kaha), and passed his guard before sinking an armbar. Note how he maintains his hold on the arm while using his other arm to grab the opponent’s leg and prevent him from escaping.
Also having secured their travel to the UAE: Alexander Scott (Vanderson Pires Jiu-Jitsu), the winner of the brown/black belt lightweight absolute; Brian Falzon (Roots Jiu-Jitsu), number 1 in the purple belt absolute; and Tony Torrisi (Garra BJJ), gold in the blue belt absolute. Lorna Lock (Dominance MMA) dominated the female white-blue belt absolute, and Joseph Hill (Douglas JJ) won the white belt absolute.