World champion Erberth Santos is back this weekend. Carlos Arthur Jr.
This Friday marked the start of the South American IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship in Barueri, Brazil.
This Saturday the adult black-belt contests will kick off. Graciemag dived into the list of athletes signed up to give you a little guide on what to expect.
Men
Hiago George (Cícero Costha), Jorge Nakamura (GFTeam) and Douglas Rufino (Cantagalo Team) should make noise in the light featherweight division. Isaque Paiva (Saikoo) and MMA fighter Gaston Manzur (Top Brother México) are our best bets at featherweight. In the crowded middleweight division, Luan Carvalho (Nova União), Isaque Bahiense (Alliance) and Alexandre Cavalieri (Alliance) are expected to vie for the title.
Thiago Sá (Checkmat), Felipe Nilo (De la Riva) and the timeless Helvécio Penna (De la Riva) stand out in the medium heavyweight field. At heavyweight, Dimitrius Souza (Alliance) and Guilherme Santos (Alliance) are unlikely to disappoint. Finally, ultra-heavyweight Erberth Santos (Esquadrão BJJ) returns to competition after taking a break to build his new team.
Women
Bia Basílio (Almeida JJ), Carina Santi (G13), Amanda Nogueira (GFTeam) and the U.S.’s Erin Herle (Alliance) are all viable contenders for titles both in their weight divisions and in the open class.