While the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam World Tour set Rio de Janeiro ablaze with the fires of competition, AJP decided to keep the ball rolling and gave its athletes the chance to compete in three other events around the world.
With Nationals in Armenia and Kyrgyzstan coming alongside an International in Croatia, the organization showed just how committed it is to promoting the advancement of Jiu-Jitsu worldwide.
Without further ado, let’s check out the highlights from each championship!
AJP Tour Armenia National Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2024: Rafael Kostanyan conquers the double gold in Yerevan
Landing at Dynamo Sports Club this Saturday, July 20th, the Armenia National had athletes of all ages and graduations putting their skills to the test across four action-packed fight areas. Highlighting the tournament in the Professional category, the local Rafael Kostanyan (Legacy Jiu-Jitsu Armenia) had his prowess on full display as he conquered not one but two gold medals in the 69kg division.
Starting in the gi, Rafael entered the bracket and faced Australia’s Tyson Read (Legion Brazilian Jiu Jitsu) in a five-minute match that ended with a 7-2 score for the former. Moving on to the final, Rafael went up against the Iranian Bahman Honardar (Arte Suave Academy / GFTeam Iran) and managed to score 6-3 before locking a winning submission in the last minute of the bout.
With one gold medal conquered but still hungry for more, Rafael made his way back to the mats, fighting without the gi to cement his complete domination over the 69kg division. Faced with a rematch against Tyson Read in the gold round, Rafael decided to go full throttle against his opponent from the get-go, submitting Tyson less than twenty seconds into the match and taking the top of the podium yet again.
Check out the full results here!
AJP Tour Split International Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2024: Almir Kapic and Tamara Toros take the Professional title in Croatia
On that same Saturday, the Sports Center Bazeni Poljud in Croatia was another venue in which competitors could test the fruits of their training. From the newest rookie to the most battle-hardened veteran, the athletes left their hearts on the mats as they fought for gold and glory in the AJP.
Among the many champions born that day, two Professionals managed to stand out as they used their deep knowledge of the gentle art to triumph in their respective weight classes. In the 120kg division, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s black belt Almir Kapic (Frota Academy) went through two opponents to conquer the title. After scoring 4-1 against the local Jure Kulisic (Jiu Jitsu Academy Split) in the semi, Almir advanced to the final and went up against the Spaniard Luis Galvão in a very well-balanced duel. When the clock ran out, a narrow 7-6 score gave Almir the win and the top of the heaviest division’s podium.
Meanwhile, on the women’s side, Hungarian brown belt Tamara Toros (Atos) conquered the 70kg division in the tournament. Facing Brazil’s Yasmin Rodrigues (LGJJ) in the final, Tamara unleashed her Jiu-Jitsu and found room to score multiple times while giving her opponent almost no chance of doing the same. At the end of it all, the scoreboard sat at a sound 8-2 and gave Tamara the gold in Croatia.
Check out the full results here!
AJP Tour Kyrgyzstan National Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2024: Adilzhan Tursunov submits his way to the double gold in Progress
On Sunday, July 21st, the Gazprom Sports and Fitness Complex opened its doors for colored belts from all over the globe, welcoming one and all to enter the fray and fight for the chance to become an AJP champion.
Making the most out of this opportunity, the Kazakh Adilzhan Tursunov (Strela Alliance) armed himself with his best techniques and rose to the challenge by conquering the coveted double gold in the 69kg division of the tournament.
Starting in the gi, Adilzhan first went toe-to-toe against the local Kutman Dosmailov (Kyrgyzstan Top Team) in the semifinal, scoring 10-0 before ultimately submitting in the latter half of the match to take his spot in the final. In the next match of the bracket, Kutman managed a submission of his own against his fellow countryman Kalbaev Mars (PSLPB Cícero Costha) and went on to have a rematch against Adilzhan in the gold round. The duel went much like the first one, with Adilzhan scoring multiple times and, when the opportunity presented itself, submitting Kutman and taking the victory.
With one gold medal hanging over his shoulders, Adilzhan found his way back to the battlefield, this time fighting no-gi to once again conquer the 69kg division. Standing across the cage, Kalbaev Mars did his best to stop the Kazakh athlete but was unable to stand his ground against Adilzhan’s technical prowess as the latter landed his third submission and became a champion once again at the competition.
Check out the full results here!
