The IBJJF London Open 2024 took place on February 24th and 25th, 2024 and it attracted several top competitors from all around the world. Although tournaments in the UK often bring together elite European grapplers, there were many more travelling in from much further afield too. Catriel Rodrigues came away with the biggest haul of medals from the weekend, and he started out strong by winning the super-heavyweight division in the gi and earning a silver medal in the gi absolute on the first day. Then he returned on the second day to win the absolute division and take home a silver medal in the super-heavyweight division in no gi.
Shane Fishman had a flawless weekend too, as he managed to win a pair of gold medals at medium-heavyweight by competing in both gi and no gi. Julian Espinosa put in a solid performance over both days too, as he won a bronze medal in the featherweight gi division and a gold medal in the same no gi weight class. Veteran Judo black belt Arya Esfandmaz took home a gold medal from the no gi ultra-heavyweight division, although he had to settle for a default bronze medal in that weight class in the gi.
Matheus Rangel came up just short on both days by earning a bronze medal in the gi middleweight division and silver in no gi, with Max Lindblad and Pedro Silva winning those brackets respectively. There were some great matches in the women’s gi divisions at the IBJJF London Open 2024 too, although Gamila Kanew was the only competitor in the no gi black belt brackets. The middleweight division was where the most talent was concentrated, as Gabriela Pereira beat Gabi Schuck in the only match and then did the same again in the final of the absolute division to win double gold.