This article is part of our ADCC 2022 coverage. To get live results, play by play, and commentary, we’ll have a live updates article running all weekend.
JT Torres has just been announced as the latest invite to the 2022 ADCC world championships where he will be attempting to earn a third consecutive gold medal in the 77kg division. If Torres manages to achieve this feat, it will put him in rare company as only five other people have ever managed to win an ADCC weightclass three times. Royler Gracie, Rubens Charles ‘Cobrinha’, and ADCC Hall of Famer Kyra Gracie have all managed to do it, while Gabi Garcia and fellow Hall of Famer Marcelo Garcia have both done it an incredible four times.
At the age of 32, JT Torres is still well within his athletic prime and is still regarded as one of the impressive competitors in his weightclass although he will certainly have some of his toughest competition yet at ADCC 2022. The 2019 absolute division bronze medalist Lachlan Giles will be returning, as will the last man to win the 77kg division before Torres, Davi Ramos, and perennial top contender Lucas Lepri. In fact, the 77kg division looks to be one of the most stacked divisions of the entire tournament so far even though Torres is only the seventh competitor announced so far.
At the European, Middle-Eastern, and African trials, John Danaher product Oliver Taza booked his place at the event in convincing fashion. Shortly afterward, Kade Ruotolo looked equally impressive at the North American East Coast trials and realistically, either of these men could give Torres a run for his money if they cross paths on the mats. Torres will undoubtedly be the favorite to take home the gold medal in the division but he will have some tough matches along the way and it wouldn’t be surprising to see someone pull of the upset and dethrone the champion.
The invite given to JT Torres to return for the 2022 ADCC World Championships was announced in a post to the promotion’s official Instagram account:
