Saturday, April 21, 2018, was such a great day for Colorado Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Stapleton that it was almost surreal. On Saturday, April 21, 2018, the IBJJF held its first ever event here in Colorado by hosting the 2018 IBJJF Denver International Open Jiu Jitsu Championship. The tournament ran two days, with most Gi matches being held on Saturday the 21st, and most No-Gi matches being held on Sunday the 22nd. Both days saw epic victories for Colorado Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Stapleton.

On Saturday, Professor Sean Stewart was one of the first Colorado Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Stapleton athletes to compete and the results were brilliant: All victories by submission, leading to a Gold in the Medium-Heavy Black Belt Division, Masters: A pretty excellent day on the mats!

Professor Sean was not the only BJJ Stapleton athlete to step on the mat and put it on the line at the IBJJF 2018 Denver International Jiu Jitsu Championship. There were amazing performances given by many members of the BJJ Stapleton Combat Crew: Dr. Matt Gnirke won Double Gold, and delivered what had to be the match of the tournament for BJJ Stapleton athletes by obtaining an 11 second “Lars” submission (americana with the legs – click this link if you would like to see the Facebook Live Stream: Dr. Matt Gnirke – 11 Second Lars Submission IBJJF 2018 Denver International Open Jiu Jitsu Championship) on his way to Gold in the Masters Blue Belt Open No-Gi Division. It was beyond brilliant! Ben Rhoton brought home a Gold with three submission victories in his men’s Blue Belt Division. Greg Wall delivered his first Gold Medal performance by winning a back and forth battle against a game opponent at White Belt. Shannon Shomo collected a bunch of hardware (a Silver and 2 Bronze Medals) and had two beautiful arm bar submissions and many great matches in the women’s Blue Belt Masters Division! Ronald Robin put in some excellent work and won a Silver Medal in his Blue Belt Masters Division. Jordan Shrago put in work and came home with a Bronze Medal in his White Belt Division. Stephanie Taylor also brought home Bronze with some great work on the mats. And while Josh Taylor did not bring home any medals, his jiu jitsu was solid and he demonstrated great technique and perseverance as he battled on the IBJJF mats.

Thank you to all the folks who came out to support the CBJJ Stapleton Combat Crew as spectators and coaches, including Jim Norman, who took some amazing photographs. Win,  lose, or draw, the CBJJS Combat Crew did Colorado Brazilian Jiu Jitsu proud! Way to go CBJJ Combat Crew!! Way to go Colorado Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Stapleton!

Pictures From The First Ever IBJJF Event In Colorado: IBJJF 2018 Denver International Open Jiu Jitsu Championships –


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