2011 Essex BJJ Open Sponsored by Tatami

The Essex BJJ Open is proud to be sponsored by Tatami Fightwear. Tatami is a UK-based purveyor of hard-wearing BJJ gi and actively supports the UK BJJ-community not least by sponsoring athletes and competitions. This year, Tatami will supply several prizes to Essex Open winners:

• a Zero G gi for the winners of the white and blue absolute divisions
• an Estilo Premier gi for winners of the black belt super fights (look out for Azevedo v Pires and Roberts v Russell)
• a casual BJJ rank belt to be worn with jeans in the colour of the division plus a fully customised and sublimated 25cm gi patch for winners of each division

We thank Tatami for their generous support and look forward to seeing you there! Get registering; registration closes at 11:55PM on 24 April.

Black Belt Super Fight: Eduardo Azevedo v Leopoldo Pires

The 2011 Essex BJJ Open is excited to be the scene of several black belt super fights and we are delighted to announce a second match-up! Eduardo Azevedo of Checkmat will meet Leopoldo Pires of Pedro Bessa in the -76kgs masters division. Both fighters are seasoned competitors and instructors and you can find Leopoldo at the Warrior School of Combat and Eduardo at Checkmat. Considering the wealth of experience these two are bringing to the match we are anticipating a tremendous bout. Spectators will also be able to see Andy Roberts versus Michael Russell in the -76kgs adult division.

We can't wait for the 30th's promise of great BJJ! Get registering; registration closes at 11:55PM on 24 April.

Credits
Portrait of Leopoldo Pires by James Oluoch-Olunya of Combat BJJ

Black Belt Super Fight: Michael Russell v Andy Roberts

We are very excited to confirm our first black belt super fight for the 2011 Essex BJJ Open! Michael Russell and Andy Roberts will face each other in the -76kgs adult match-up. Michael Russell, currently distinguished as Britain's youngest British BJJ black belt, is the BJJ instructor at The MMA Clinic Romford and brings to the mat a wealth of competition experience. Andy Roberts, who heads an academy in Farnborough, was recently promoted to black belt by Roger Gracie and is fresh from his silver medal performance at the ADCC Pro Trials. We anticipate a great bout from these two fighters! For more about these two competitors, check out Meerkatsu's interviews with Michael and Andy. Competitors and spectators will also be treated to a bout between Eduardo Azevedo and Leopoldo Pires in the -76kgs masters division.

Looking forward to a great day's BJJ! Get registering; registration closes at 11:55PM on 24 April.

Credits
Portrait of Andy Roberts by James Oluoch-Olunya of Combat BJJ
Portrait of Michael Russell by Gussie

In Loving Memory of Steve Fan

The Essex BJJ Open will gratefully collect donations on behalf of our dearly departed friend, Steve Fan of Gracie Barra Birmingham. Steve demonstrated great depth of character in his fight with cancer, which he sadly succumbed to in January. Braulio Estima will gladly receive your kind voluntary donations and all proceeds will go to Steve's family.

Essex BJJ Open 2011

Saturday 30 April 2011
Goresbrook Leisure Centre

Register here

Entry is £25/fighter and spectator tickets will be available on the door for £3/ticket.

Registration closes at 11:55PM on Sunday, 24 April 2011.

The Essex BJJ Open 2011 will be held on April 30th at the Goresbrook Leisure Centre. Doors open at 9:00 for fighters and 9:30 for spectators. Matches begin at 9:30 and end at 18:00.

The Essex BJJ Open is a bi-annual competition organised by Marc Walder's Origin BJJ Team and we look forward to hosting an impressive display of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu from all participating teams. See you there!