Before zipping up his suitcase to head for Brazil, Professor Claudio França busily prepares for one of the most traditional Jiu-Jitsu championships there is.
França will fly to Rio with six students for the Rio Open and International Masters & Seniors, but also to spread the word in the South American nation about the 15th US Open, to be held once again in the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium in Santa Cruz, California, in October. (Waste no time, sign up here)
But there’s news from the classic championship. This year, for the first time, the event will be held over three days, due to the increase in competitor numbers. “Last year 843 competitors took part in the event, which led us to expect over a thousand now, due to how much the sport has grown throughout the United States and the rest of the planet,” remarks Claudio.
On the 15th, 16th and 17th of October, however, Santa Cruz will grind to a halt to watch the high-level Jiu-Jitsu spectacle. Further news is the return of the team competition, yielding a trophy for the winning team. A guarantee of solid teams and top-notch athletes. “We’re going to reward the top three teams in the adult, senior, female and juvenile divisions, just like at the Worlds and the Pan,” he puts forth.
According to the timetable, which is already available on the USOpenBJJ.com website, all the open weight divisions will be held on the first day, Friday the 15th. With exception to the adult black belt absolute division, which kicks off on Saturday and has its grand finale on Sunday.
Check out the video of the US Open 14, last year’s event.
