The IBJJF New Jersey Open 2024 took place on June 15th and 16th, 2024, and it attracted some fantastic no gi grapplers. Although there were a fair few competitors in the gi divisions, it was clear that most of the best in the world were taking some well-deserved time off after competing at the IBJJF World Championship earlier in the month. The lighter weight classes seemed to attract some of the bigger names, particularly at light-featherweight where Movement Art teammates Valor Boyer and Tadiyah Danforth shared the silverware in the final. Boyer also returned on the next day to compete at the same weight in the gi, where he won his second gold medal of the weekend.
Luan Gomes da Silva stood on top of the podium in the gi featherweight division but the most impressive performance in the gi came from Alexandre Manara, as he won all 5 of his matches by submission to take home gold medals at both ultra-heavyweight and in the absolute. The second day held even more action and Felipe Cesar was the absolute champion then, a great comeback after he had to settle for a silver medal in the gi heavyweight division. Perhaps the biggest name was competing in the lightweight division though, as ADCC veteran Gianni Grippo won the gold medal there.
Kevin Dantzler was impressive too, as the Renzo Gracie representative was able to take home a gold medal in the no gi featherweight division. There was a fun match in the heavyweight division too, as Tom DeBlass black belt Sean Yadimarco ended up winning there. There were no matches in the adult black belt women’s divisions at the IBJJF New Jersey Open 2024 unfortunately, as only one woman entered on each day. Sophia Cassella was the most notable female competitor in the tournament, as the brown belt won a total of three gold medals and a silver medal over the course of the weekend.
