The ADCC European, Middle Eastern, and African Trials 2023 is scheduled for September 16th, and we’ve put together a detailed preview of every division at the event. This is the first ADCC Trials event for ADCC 2024 and when the dust settles, the first entrants for the world’s most prestigious no gi grappling tournament will have been confirmed. Unfortunately for any female competitors who have entered this edition of ADCC trials, there will be no invites available for any of them and only the winners of the men’s divisions will guarantee themselves a place at ADCC 2024.
ADCC European, Middle Eastern, And African Trials 2023 Preview
Men’s Under 66kg
Favorites – The competition in this division is particularly fierce, with the last two winners of this tournament both in the bracket. Ashley Williams is returning after going out in the first round at ADCC 2022, while Sam McNally will be riding a high after defeating Garry Tonon at the same tournament. These aren’t the only two men at 66kg who are in with a good chance of getting an invite to ADCC 2024, as top European competitor Kamil Wilk will both be tough for anyone to beat.
Dark Horse – Robert Degle has some of the best leglock offense and defense on the planet and he’s able to finish almost anyone who gets sucked into that area. If he can put the rest of his game together, he could come away with the invite here.
Men’s Under 77kg
Favorites – Veteran New Wave Jiu-Jitsu competitor Oliver Taza is always a favorite to win any tournament he enters, and he’s won ADCC Trials multiple times before. Likewise, Tommy Langaker is also coming in as one of the top competitors at 77kg after winning ADCC Trials last year. Although he hasn’t won before, Mateusz Szczecinski did so well under ADCC rules that he earned an invite to ADCC 2022 regardless and he’ll be another clear favorite to win here.
Dark Horse – Jozef Chen is still very young, but he’s one of the most promising prospects to come out of B-Team Jiu-Jitsu. With a little luck and good decision-making, this might be the moment he breaks through to the highest level of the sport.
Men’s Under 88kg
Favorites – Santeri Lilius is the only returning Trials winner from the last cycle, but he’s not the only grappler who stands out with a good chance of winning here. Tarik Hopstock is a fantastic leglocker who can submit anyone on the right day, while Miha Perhavec is one of the best competitors representing Legion Jiu-Jitsu. Any of these three men could make it to the top of the podium really.
Dark Horse – With this being the biggest division at ADCC European, Middle-Eastern, and African Trials 2023, there’s several grapplers who could be picked as dark horses in this preview. It’s tough to narrow it down to just one, but it feels like Jed Hue has just been getting better and better in recent years.
Men’s Under 99kg
Favorites – Perttu Tepponen won this division back at the 2021 edition of ADCC Trials and he’s coming back with the intention of repeating that feat. Luke Griffith won the following year, and the John Danaher student will be Tepponen’s main opposition. Declan Moody is another top competitor who’s in with a good chance of winning here, although it’s tough to pick a clear favorite out of them.
Dark Horse – Freddie Vosgrone has been one of the top competitors in the UK for quite some time and he has a style that is built for success under ADCC rules. If he’s been able to develop even further over the last year or two then he could easily reach the podium.
Men’s Over 99kg
Favorites – Returning ADCC Trials winner Dan Manasoiu is the clear favorite in quite a small division, as he’s been dominating the ADCC Open circuit by winning double-gold in every tournament he’s entered. Heikki Jussila is another former Trials winner who stands the next best chance of qualifying from this division.
Dark Horse – There aren’t many competitors here who could feasibly qualify ahead of both Manasoiu and Jussila at over 99kg, but Oskar Svels is a great grappler who might cause a a surprise.
Women’s Under 55kg
Favorites – With this being a brand new division, there’s no returning winners competing in the bracket. Additionally, without an invite available for the winner it appears as though many female grapplers have chosen to stay home. The safest bets seem to be Zofia Szawernowska and Ashley Bendle, although nothing is guaranteed here.
Dark Horse – Cara Du-Plessis is a solid grappler in her own right who is capable of causing the upset, so it’ll be interesting to see how she copes with the level of competition standing opposite her.
Women’s Under 65kg
Favorites – Peyton Letcher is a fantastic competitor and she has won ADCC Trials before, although it was an edition without an invite available. Letcher will be a big challenge for anyone, but Selma Vik and Rosa Walsh are both up to the task and either one of them could win the division.
Dark Horse – Anyone outside of those three women are unlikely to reach the top of the podium, but Sula-Mae Lowenthal is an exciting competitor and she could easily upset at least one of the favorites.
Women’s Over 65kg
Favorites – This is the smallest division at the ADCC European, Middle-Eastern, and African Trials 2023 and picking the favorite for this preview is pretty easy. Hannah Griffith stands out as the most likely to get the win at over 65kg and it’s tough to see anyone stopping her from taking home the gold medal.
Dark Horse – Even though Lucie Pudilova is an underdog at over 65kg, she might win the bracket if she’s able to get past Griffith.
The full ADCC European, Middle-Eastern, and African Trials 2023 event, including all of the competitors listed in this preview, will be available to watch live on September 16th, on FloGrappling.
