5 competitors, 6 medals!
The Abu Dhabi West Coast Trials took place in Santa Cruz, CA on January24th. Acting as a qualifier for the richest and most prestigious Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu event on the planet, the Abu Dhabi Pro, the West Coast Qualifier featured the best of the best congregating upon Northern California in the United States.
The winners from the American event will compete with the best grapplers and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athletes from across the world and for the chance at winning a massive USD$145,000 in cash and prizes at the Abu Dhabi Pro on April 15th to 17th. Team GD Jiu-Jitsu/Nova Uniao will be represented by Issa Able, who had seven matches to win the Blue Belt Light weight, and the Blue Belt Open Class under 161 lbs.
Issa won 7 matches!
Propelled by the support of the government of Abu Dhabi, the Abu Dhabi Pro supported personally by his Highness the Supreme Prince and Commander In Chief of the United Arab Emirates National Army, H. H. Sheik Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Winners of the qualifiers will have all airfares, accommodation and meals paid for and they will also have a chance
at the cash and prizes in Abu Dhabi.
Gustavo and Steve
In the Black Belt Division, Steve Rosenberg went all the way to the finals, but ended up losing by referee’s decision (2 x 2) in a very close match to Marcos Torregrossa.
Broadnax Brothers
Even though Christian Broadnax won the Blue/Middle Divsion, he lost in the “Heavy” Open Class over 161 lbs, not being able to qualify to the Pro Tournament, since in the blue belt division, only the winners of the Open “Light” and “Heavy” would go to Abu Dhabi. His brother, Christopher Broadnax, lost to his team mate Issa, in the finals of the Blue/Light. Christopher lost his second match in the “Light” Open class.
Kristina Barlaan
Kristina Barlaan, took 3rd at the Female/Under 139 lbs. Kristina lost by a referee’s decision (4 x 4).
Here are our Team’s full results:
Issa Able – 1st place (Blue/Light) and 1st place (Blue/Open under 161 lbs)
Christian Broadnax – 1st place (Blue/Middle)
Steve Rosenberg – 2nd place (Black/Light)
Christopher Broadnax – 2nd place (Blue/Light)
Kristina Barlaan – 3rd place (Female/Under 139 lbs)
[...] This past weekend saw the West Coast Trials for the Abu Dhabi Pro (the most prestigious Jiu Jitsu tournament in the world), and CFSW was represented well! Congrats to Steve R. and Kristina (and their coach Gustavo). You might recognize them from the afternoon classes. Steve made it to the finals and lost on a referee’s decision, and Kristina took 3rd. See the write up at gdjiujitsu.com. [...]
Congrats to you all!!! Great job!
Can’t wait for Issa to do his thing and represent us in the United Arab Emirates, if anyone can do it it’s that crazy mini gorilla.