The first ever Abu Dhabi Grand Slam tournament in Rome will take place across April 12th to 14th, 2024 and some amazing competitors have traveled from all around the world to compete. There’s also a ton of homegrown talent stepping on the mats too, and we took the time to speak to some of the best grapplers in Italy to get their feelings about the event. Every one of them will face some tough opposition in their respective divisions but no doubt they will be giving everything they have to stand on top of the podium in their own country.
Luca Anacoreta has won multiple IBJJF No Gi European Championship gold medals and is one of the most successful Italian BJJ competitors of all time. Although he’s competing in the Master 1 middleweight division, he has his eyes on one match that might happen in the adult version of his weight class:
Serena Gabrielli is the AJP Tour Italian National champion at roosterweight and although she’ll be competing at that weight in both the masters and adult brackets, she still has time to think about the growth of the sport too:
“I’m happy AJP organized such an high level event in our country. That means that we are growing well as international athletes. I hope for next events that even female masters will be paid to incentivize athletes sign in. I think that creates a loop because athletes don’t sign in because they are not paid and AJP don’t pay them because just few athletes sign in!”
Giulia Angiolini is a fresh brown belt who is also competing in the roosterweight division after a ton of success at purple belt, and she’s looking forward to facing a new level of opponent:
“I am very happy to participate in this event. It will be a nice challenge to compete with very strong black belts. This spurs me even more to give my best!”
Andrea Verdamere is a third degree BJJ black belt and a veteran competitor with over 5 years experience competing on the AJP Tour circuit who has entered the light-featherweight division in both the adult and masters brackes. He’s had plenty of success on the mats already, but he’s eager to replicate that in front of a home crowd:
“As I won the last (Abu Dhabi Grand Slam) in London I hope to have a good performance here in my home town. Having a grand slam here is obviously a great opportunity for us locals to compete in such a great event, for that I decided to compete (in) Master 1 and adult even if I’m 39.”
Luca Caracciolo is a second degree BJJ black belt who has entered the lightweight division and he’s eager to make a big impact in his first competitive appearance in a while:
“After a long time away from the competition scene it’s so good to be back at one of the best tournaments, AJP is doing a great job and finally we get to have a Grand Slam in Rome, a competition with so many great names, can’t wait to step on the mats on Sunday.”
Alessandro Casati is another competitor who’s new to the level of competition at black belt but he’s medalled at several AJP Tour events during his journey through the colored belt ranks and he’s eager to face the new challenge at light-heavyweight:
“I think it will be a great event, a great opportunity for Italy! For me it will be the first black belt Grand Slam and I can’t wait to be able to fight and try to win my category, with athletes of the highest level, like Jackson Sousa.”
The first ever Abu Dhabi Grand Slam – Rome is due to take place across April 12th to 14th, 2024 and all the action can be watched live on TX7.ae.
