This past weekend, our academy proudly participated in the U.S. Open, BJJ Tour's final competition of 2024, where eight of our dedicated athletes showcased their skills, heart, and sportsmanship. The tournament marked a milestone for many of our competitors, and we're thrilled to share the amazing accomplishments of our students who represented 925 Jiu Jitsu and Six Blades Jiu-Jitsu Association. Here's a recap of this weekend's performances:
Youth Athletes Shine at U.S. Open 2024
Kol Mirakaj showcased a dominant performance in his second Jiu-Jitsu competition by winning both of his matches by points (21-0 and 15-0) and earning a gold medal!
Jade Hateley competed in her second tournament as a yellow belt, where she demonstrated remarkable athleticism, versatility, and skill, securing gold in Gi division and silver in No-Gi.
Ryder Grassi also brought home a gold medal after rounding out his 3-match bracket with sweeps and guard passes. The growth he's made since he first began competing is amazing and his focus and determination make this medal well-earned.
Thomas Mirakaj competed in his first Jiu-Jitsu tournament this weekend and completed both of his matches with submissions, earning him his first gold medal. His hard work in classes and advanced training have paid off!
Jace Hateley encountered another competition with packed brackets! This weekend, Jace showed grit and perseverance, winning bronze in the Gi and No-Gi divisions.
Jaxon Hateley earned the title of our youngest competitor ever at just 4 years old and competed in his first tournament. His performance won him a silver medal. The effort he puts into classes was evident on the mat, and we couldn't be more proud.
Adult Athletes: Triumphs and First Experiences
Greg Dyer displayed strong outstanding effort and perseverance in his second competition as a blue belt. With four matches in his bracket, his techniques and determination earned him a silver medal.
Kevin Peña was our newest white belt to enter into the world of Jiu-Jitsu tournaments. In his matches, he showed great courage and determination, giving his all in two challenging matches. This experience marked an important step in his Jiu-Jitsu journey, and we're excited to see how the lessons learned from this tournament will help him progress in future competitions!
Reflecting on the Weekend
The achievements of all our athletes at the U.S. Open 2024 reflect their dedication, the support of their teammates, and the guidance of our instructors. Whether it was their first tournament or another step in their competitive journey, each competitor brought honor to our academy and represented the association's core values of family, respect, loyalty, discipline, attitude, and honor.
We look forward to watching our students grow and excel in future competitions, and we're excited for the students who will be joining us as athletes in the near future. A big thank you to all the families, teammates, and supporters who made this weekend possible—it was a team effort every step of the way!
