Jiu-Jitsu Amazon Open has titles from former UFC fighter Dileno Lopes and opens the season in style

A true Amazonian Jiu-Jitsu party. That was the Amazon Jiu-Jitsu – Gi & No-Gi – 2023 Open, held last Saturday (11), at the traditional Arena Amadeu Teixeira, in Manaus (AM). One of the highlights of the tournament organized by the Associação Amazonense de Jiu-Jitsu Esportivo (FAJJE) in partnership with the CBJJE was former UFC fighter and black belt Dileno Lopes (Nova União), no-gi champion in the under-85kg division and master absolute 1+2.

Still without the kimono, Kaio de Oliveira, from GFTeam, won the +95kg title and the openweight title in the adult men’s black belt division. Among women, Andreyna Raquel (Akel Rocha) had no opponents and scored double gold. For Dileno Lopes, the Amazon Open served as preparation for his return to MMA, scheduled for May.

“I wanted to start the year competing in No-Gi events, and as the FAJJE was about to open its calendar with the Amazon Open, I decided to sign up with friends from the academy. However, I knew I would run into black belts toughest in Manaus… I prepared myself a lot to be champion, but my focus is still on MMA, continuing the pace of training so I don’t lose focus”, stated the fighter.

With the kimono, who shone in the adult category was black belt Lucas Campello Lima (White House School JJ), double gold champion. In the masters 1 + 2, Claudevan Martins, better known as “Soneka”, who placed Associação Monteiro at the top of the podium in the heavyweight and absolute categories.

Young blue belt steals the show

Keeping with the state’s tradition of producing great champions in the gentle art, the Amazon Open also had a separate show by blue belt Davi Libório. The young representative of Nabil JJ accumulated nothing more, nothing less, than four gold medals, winning weight and absolute – Gi & No-Gi.

On social media, Davi posted: “We continue with focus, strength and faith, always aiming for the top. Rockets don’t reverse”, wrote the blue belt, who was runner-up at the 2023 IBJJF European Championship.

Nova União wins between teams

Among the teams, the great overall champion was Nova União, totaling 57 gold, 39 silver and 20 bronze medals. Associação Monteiro was in second place, with GFTeam in third. Nabil JJ and Silve JJ, respectively, completed the Top 5. Responsible for Nova União/Norte and Jiu-Jitsu coral belt, GM Nonato Machado analyzed the team’s title:

“We were the best team in the 2022 FAJJE ranking and we will continue with this work this year to remain at the top. We entered with about 160 athletes in the Amazon Open, it was not our maximum strength, since not all branches participated due to the number of simultaneous championships, but without a doubt Nova União will be present in all stages of the season in search of maintaining the first place”, he concluded.