The Turks and Caicos Islands Brazilian Jiu Jitsu team showcased their skills at the World Masters and Jiu Jitsu Con in Las Vegas, the biggest competition week of the year for the sport.
The team, consisting of six athletes, delivered competitive performances in various divisions.
World Masters Highlights
Alex Yablong - Black Belt Lightweight, Master 1 - entered the competition highly seeded, but suffered an upset in the first round, losing to a strong ankle lock. Despite the setback, his ankle is recovering well, according to the school.
David Galluzzi - Purple Belt Middleweight, Master 2) - had an impressive run with a 3-1 record. He secured two submission victories but lost on points in the quarterfinals to the eventual purple belt world champion.
Shaun McCormack - Blue Belt Super Heavyweight, Master 3 - put up a valiant fight in a tough matchup, with submission attempts throughout the match, but ultimately lost. His performance was highly praised for his determination.
Norman Saunders - Blue Belt Middleweight - earned a bronze medal in the Gi division with a 3-1 record and went 1-1 in no-Gi. His skilful performance saw him achieve multiple submissions, although he was outmatched by a more experienced competitor who took gold in both divisions.
Paul Cartwright - White Belt Middleweight - had a 1-1 record in the Gi Division. His first victory was a dominant showing, earning him a promotion to blue belt, a testament to his hard work and improvement.
Josh Saunders - White Belt Featherweight - Saunders captured a bronze medal with a 2-1 record. After winning gold in Chicago two weeks earlier, his strong performance on the larger stage in Las Vegas earned him a promotion to blue belt.
The TCI BJJ team’s achievements in both the World Masters and Jiu Jitsu Con reflect their dedication and growing presence in the international BJJ community.
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