For perhaps the most sought after gi title in the world after the IBJJF Mundial, battles are raging. Top BJJ women are competing in the sweltering heat, far from BJJ Meccas of Brazil and the US, across the ocean not too far from real Mecca itself.
I had high hopes of getting up before 6am to watch the potential feed online, even paid the $19.95 or whatever on Talfazat.com, but alas, I did not wake in time to see if they showed any of the women’s matches (last year they barely showed any). Tomorrow’s TV channel schedule does not say they are showing the tournament, but for the finals, I will definitely get up.
I have been scouring the interwebs for results, but few seem to report on the women. Surprise, surprise.
However, what I have gleaned from many sources…
In the final of -54kg category tomorrow is Nyjah Easton and Samara Reis.
In the -60kg category, Bia lost a surprising upset in her first match by Jessica Santos. Michelle won out over Angelica Galvao before besting Jessica. On the other side of the bracket, Mackenzie Dern and Kyra met in the semi-final, with Kyra being declared the victor. Kyra and Michelle face off once again tomorrow. Last year the Mundial, Michelle won, then at ADCC, Kyra bested Michelle. Who will take this anticipated third match??
In the -66kg category, Luanna Alzuguir and Luiza Monteiro both won their first matches, putting them up against each other in the final tomorrow.
In the -72kg category for some reason placed almost all the top girls in one section. Penny Thomas beat first Shanti Abelha, then Valorie Worthington by points before succumbing to Fernanda Mazelli in the semi-final. The other side of the bracket brought Brazilian purple belt Jessica Oliveira to the final. Tomorrow Fernanda and Jessica will battle it out for first place!
In the +72kg category final we will see Gabi Garcia come up against Maria Malyjasiak.
The open apparently had many wars. Valorie Worthington (receiving an unexpected bye first round after Sijara Eubanks decided not to fight) bested Shanti Abelha (who had come out the winner from a sweep back and forth war versus Mackenzie Dern) by points, before losing by armbar to Luanna Alzuguir. Bia redeemed her first round loss in her division by beating everyone all the way to the semi-final, where she came out the victor over Luanna. Bia will face off against Gabi Garcia who beat Michelle Nicolini in the semi-final. It will be interesting to see if Bia adopts the same strategy as in her last match against Gabi.
Ladies bringing home the GOLD from the sandy desert of Abu Dhabi!!!