The first major IBJJF event of the year is over and the action was more than enough to kick off another big year for the organization. Not only did the black belts put on exciting matches, but a number of competitors at all ranks performed very well in Portugal. This recap looks at the men and women in the black belt group that took home a championship when all was said and done.
Starting with lightweight, Michael Langhi continued his run as he took home his sixth European title. That run hit a scary point during his bout against Hugo Marques when his nose was accidentally broken, starting an extended blood stoppage to get treatment. That injury wouldn’t be enough to stop him though, as he would not only be victorious there, but he would win the final round of action by defeating Masahiro Iwasaki by one advantage.
Langhi wasn’t the only multiple-time champion, as Marcio Andre earned his fourth title; earning the gold in the featherweight division. The final bout called for him to defeat Gianni Grippo, which was a rematch of their contest from back in 2016. He would defeat Grippo by the score of 4-2 to take home the title and earn another win over his highly successful rival.
There were a number of closeouts across multiple divisions as well. Joao Miyao and Hiago George closed out the light-featherweight division, while Marcos Tinoco and Isaque Bahiense closed out the middleweight division.
Keenan Cornelius was a big winner during the weekend as he earned gold in both his weight class and by closing out the absolute division with Lucas Barbosa. He defeated Helton Jose in the final of the heavyweight division then defeated Victor Honorio in the semifinals of the absolute division. Barbosa defeated Tommy Langaker to reach the finals and close out the show with his teammate.
On the women’s side of the bracket, Beatriz Mesquita cemented herself as a favorite amongst all athletes, as she took the gold in the lightweight division and placed second in the absolute. She fell in the finals to Tayane Porfirio, who was also a double champion. Amanda Monteiro also continued her winning ways, as she defeated Bianca Basilio in the finals of the featherweight division.
2018 European Black Belt Champions
Women
Roosterweight: Serena Gabrielli
Light Featherweight: Vanessa English
Featherweight: Amanda Monteiro
Lightweight: Beatriz Mesquita
Middleweight: Danielle Alvarez
Medium Heavyweight: Claudia DoVal
Heavyweight: Carina Santi
Ultra Heavyweight: Tayane Porfirio
Absolute: Tayane Porfirio
Men
Roosterweight: Hiago Gama
Light Featherweight: Joao Miyao and Hiago George – closeout
Featherweight: Marcio Andre
Lightweight: Michael Langhi
Middleweight: Marcos Tinoco and Isaque Bahiense – closeout
Medium Heavyweight: Horlando Monteiro
Heavyweight: Keenan Cornelius
Super Heavyweight: Nelton Pontes
Ultra Heavyweight: Ricardo Evangelista
Absolute: Lucas Barbosa and Keenan Cornelius – closeout