By my estimation, a little over two-hundred competitors enjoyed the stadium setting at the Berry Center, which is about as close as we’ve gotten locally in terms of emulating the top-level environment seen at events such as the Pan-Am’s and the Mundials. While the Berry Center wasn’t filled like the Tijuca Tênis Clube gymnasium in the old days just yet, it does bode well for Houston that the ZTS group has put forth the investment to eventually bring that environment to local competitors and fans. These promoters literally pulled out all the stops to ensure their virgin event lived up to a standard of excellence and were very impressive in that regard.
As far as the action on the mats, the highlight of the day was a No-Gi superfight between BJJ black belts Jorge “Macaco” Patino of Gold Team and Corpus Christie resident Hector Munoz, of Paragon BJJ. Giving up a thirty-pound weight advantage, Munoz fought valiantly against the highly-regarded Gold Team leader.
Note – Select videos of matches from this event can be found on my fight community YouTube channel. Subscribe today and get future video tournament footage uploads directly to your inbox.
Photos – Grappler’s World War, Cypress TX – Saturday, December 4, 2010