The IBJJF Manaus Open 2024 took place on September 21st and 22nd, 2024, and a number of the best grapplers in Brazil competed in the tournament. As to be expected for an event in Brazil, there were far more athletes entered into the gi divisions than the no gi divisions. Antonio Braga Neto still stood out on the second day though, as he won both the ultra-heavyweight and the absolute divisions despite some tough opposition along the way. This was even after he’d already managed to earn a gold medal on the first day too, as Neto also won the ultra-heavyweight division in the gi.
The gi absolute division was won by a slightly lighter competitor though, as Guilherme Fernandes stood on top of the podium there after winning another gold medal at heavyweight. The other popular male grapplers were all competing in the lighter weight classes though, and they all ended up winning their respective divisions. Nathannael Jackson was the light-featherweight champion at the IBJJF Manaus Open 2024, while the featherweight division was won by Thiago Macedo. The most accomplished man stepping on to the mats took part in the lightweight division though, as that was where Meyram Maquine took home his gold medal.
There weren’t all that many female competitors at the highest level unfortunately, and there wasn’t a single black belt match in the no gi divisions. They weren’t much busier in the gi on the first day either, but there was at least one match in the absolute division. Ester Souza was given default gold medals in the no gi divisions and was given a third in the gi medium-heavyweight division, but she was stopped in the absolute. Randryely Souza won the only women’s match of the weekend and that earned her the absolute title, shortly after she also won a default gold at middleweight.