The Weekend Wrap | Three Events Provide Phenomenal Action

Jiu-Jitsu Federation: The weekend witnessed incredible action across three Open Circuit events. Former World Champions returned to the mats, elite athletes fought for divisional supremacy, and rising prospects claimed the spotlight of jiu-jitsu over the weekend.
The IBJJF Circuit returned to Hawaii for the first time in sixteen years. Athletes brought immense energy to the mats, and delivered an incredible display of high-level jiu-jitsu. The city of Wahiawa hosted memorable action, especially from two state natives.
Zach and Jessa Kaina of AOJ captured gold medals in their respective divisions. Zach claimed four submission wins on his way to capturing gold in both Gi featherweight and No-Gi divisions. Jessa returned to competition for the first time since winning her World Champion title in 2023.
Another Hawaii representative, Will Wilson, left the Honolulu Open with a middleweight gold medal and an open weight silver. Horlando Monteiro stood out as the double gold champion in Adult Gi competition, a run that included three wins.
The reigning No-Gi World Championship silver medalist Marcelo Fausto claimed a pair of submission finishes in his double gold no-gi performance.
All in all it was a fantastic return to Hawaii, with athletes providing an intense atmosphere to contradict the laid-back energy of the island. The community response certainly justified new events in Hawaii, as the island state proved itself more than capable of bringing the heat.
The Brazilian Circuit delivered its own notable action in São Paulo. World Champion athletes provided the shine of stardom, while rising athletes brought distinct spirit to the event.
Vinicius Liberati was certainly a standout performance, with five submissions in six matches on his way to earning double-gold honors. The Jiu-Jitsu Soldiers star completed a standout Gi season in the first half of 2026, and appears to be continuing his ascent through the pound-for-pound rankings.
Another World Champion athlete Tamiris Silva captured super-heavyweight gold in São Paulo. The DreamArt production has yet to claim a Grand Slam event title since her World Championship title in 2024. After claiming podium placements at the Brazilian event and World Championship in 2026, Tamiris remains a significant threat in the heavyweight division.
Giovanah Oliveira from JFC Almeida appeared to be in peak form, claiming five wins and a pair of Gi gold medals, while also reaching the absolute finals in no-gi. Giovanah has steadily improved and climbed the ranks since earning her black belt, leading many to believe her first main event title is coming in the near future.
Ingridd Alves continued to remain busy with another fantastic performance this weekend, claiming heavyweight Gi gold and double no-gi gold. Ingridd capped off her Gi season with three major silver medals at events, a campaign that is undeniably tough to swallow. Since then, she has remained very active in both Gi and no-gi competition, recently securing the Brazilian Heavyweight No-Gi title.
Andre Baeta leaves São Paulo as another standout athlete, claiming the prestigious double-gold no-gi triumph. With that performance, Andre has now secured four no-gi gold medals on the Brazilian circuit this year.
Jefferson Tijolo from DreamArt claimed his first black belt gold medal over the weekend. Jeferson secured a pair of wins to top the heavyweight podium, a memorable feat for one of the most exciting additions to the black belt level.
A collection of elite athletes converged in Brazil over the weekend, resulting in a number of exciting performances. Look for Brazilian competitions, watch Master International Championship – South America this weekend in Rio de Janeiro and the Vitória Open the following weekend.
The Virginia Open featured strong talent from the East Coast. Fredericksburg hosted Adult Gi and No-Gi action, as well as Kids Gi competition. Spectators witnessed intense adult divisions and fascinating next generation talent displaying their immense skill sets.
Elijah Dorsey left the Virginia Open as the shining star. Elijah secured six wins, double Gi gold, and middleweight no-gi gold. The Lloyd Irvin product appeared phenomenal in his initial return to action since the World Championship event. Elijah remains one of the most exciting and talented middleweight athletes in the world.
Nicole Sullivan from Kogaion Academy matched that energy with three gold medals in her own right. Nicole claimed the Gi featherweight title, and returned to capture double gold in no-gi competition.
Emilia Pakulski from Unity claimed the Female Absolute Gi title in a strong showing. The win marks Emilia's first gold medal in 2026, while fans can expect her to return to the New York Open to defend her 2025 gold medal performance.
Malachi Edmond claimed the Master 1 Lightweight gold medal with a pair of submissions. Malachi is scheduled to compete at the 2026 Master World Championship event, where he's certainly a strong contender to top

Source: IBJJF (News) — read the original