The IBJJF Rio Fall Open 2023 took place across April 1st and 2nd, 2023 and there were a number of exciting results generated across the highest belt levels. One of the biggest storylines from the event came as a result of Victor Honorio, who returned with a vengeance to win a pair of gold medals on the first day. He won both the ultra-heavyweight division and the absolute division in the gi with impressive performances all round, winning three matches in the former and four in the latter.
Cleyton Flores had to settle for silver in the absolute division as a result, although he also won a pair of bronze medals on the following day in the no gi super-heavyweight division and the no gi absolute division. In the other men’s gi divisions, Rider Zuchi put on a great display at heavyweight to take home gold against tough opposition and Pedro Lucas maintained his reputation as a fantastic competitor by winning the super-heavyweight division. Oziel Santos got a gold medal on each day, winning the roosterweight division in the gi and the light-featherweight division in no gi.
Honorio wasn’t the only person to put in a flawless performance in the gi at the IBJJF Rio Fall Open 2023 though, as Gabrieli Pessanha also won double gold after winning five matches across the super-heavyweight and absolute divisions. She beat Thaynara Dias in the final of the absolute division, who also took home two medals after she had won gold in the heavyweight division. Other impressive performances from the women’s gi divisions saw Jessica Dantas winning the light-featherweight division, and Julia Alves winning the lightweight division. Karen Terra won gold in the featherweight division in both gi and no gi, while Vitoria Vieira stood out on day 2 by winning both the no gi middleweight division and the no gi absolute division.
