Seven Athletes Represent Turks and Caicos at Jiu Jitsu World Masters

Competitors representing the Turks and Caicos Islands at the IBJJF Jiu Jitsu Con and World Masters

The Turks and Caicos Islands will once again be on the mats of the world’s biggest jiu jitsu stage, as seven competitors represent TCI BJJ at the IBJJF Jiu Jitsu Con and World Masters, beginning August 28, which is the premier global event for the sport.

A 10-member team has made the journey this year, with seven athletes stepping into competition. TCI BJJ has been a steady presence at the championships over the past three years, each time raising the level of performance and introducing new competitors to the challenge.

This year’s squad features a mix of seasoned campaigners and hungry newcomers:

David Galluzzi (brown belt, Masters 2), returning after a strong run last year where he reached the quarterfinals, only bowing out to the eventual champion. Galluzzi is eyeing redemption and aiming to make his mark in a tougher division.

Norman Saunders (purple belt, adult) and Joshua Saunders (blue belt, adult). The Saunders brothers are always ones to watch, known for their aggressive style and steady results.

Shaun McCormack (blue belt, Master’s 3), a veteran competitor looking to put experience to work in a competitive division.

Paul Cartwright (blue belt, adult), entering a stacked bracket, Cartwright is chasing his first major title on the international stage.

Sylvain Poitevin (white belt, Masters 2) is a proven winner with multiple gold medals in France. Poitevin enters as one of the favorites in his division and is tipped to soon earn promotion to blue belt.

Alex Yablong (black belt, Masters 2) is a co-founder of TCI BJJ now living abroad, Yablong still competes under the TCI banner. After a first-round exit last year, he has collected multiple wins at international opens in 2024 and is expected to mount a strong challenge this time.

With each passing year, TCI BJJ has grown in numbers and reputation at the World Masters, showing that the Turks and Caicos can compete with the very best in the sport. This group of athletes has stated that the mission is clear, which is to fight hard, represent their gym and country with pride, and bring home results that match the years of preparation behind them.