The IBJJF New York Open 2023 took place on August 5th and 6th, 2023 and the tournament attracted some of the best competitors from all around the US, including several ADCC world champions. Perhaps the most notable was Matheus Diniz, who won gold in the ultra-heavyweight division in the gi on the first day. Italo Lima Costa impressed shortly before that as he won the heavyweight division, while the podium of the lightweight division saw Joao Rocha standing on top. Luan Gomes da Silva put in some great work to win the gi featherweight division, beating tough opposition in the final from Yuta Shimada.
There were plenty more exciting battles over the course of the weekend though, particularly in the no gi divisions on the second day. Edwin ‘Junny’ Ocasio won gold in the light-featherweight division by beating out Kevin Dantzler in the final, while the legendary Gianni Grippo won gold at featherweight and left Frank Rosenthal settling for a bronze medal. There weren’t many grapplers competing in the highest levels of the women’s divisions unfortunately, although there were some notable brown belts on the podium. Marissa Pacelli won the heavyweight division there and Nicole Mathew ended up winning the absolute after taking a default gold at lightweight.
Another former ADCC world champion competed in the master divisions, as JT Torres won gold in the gi at master 1 middleweight. He wasn’t the only legend stepping on to the mats at the IBJJF New York Open 2023 either, as Joao Miyao won a pair of gold medals from both the gi and no gi versions of the master 1 lightweight division. One particular veteran competitor outshone the rest though, as Max Gimenis won the gi ultra-heavyweight and absolute divisions followed by a default gold medal from the no gi ultra-heavyweight division and a hard-earned gold medal in the no gi absolute division.
