LONG BEACH, CA, November 6, 2011 – We here at TXMMA.com would just like to recognize all the Texas-based grapplers that made the pilgrimage to Long Beach, CA to compete at the 2011 No-Gi Worlds this past weekend. By our count and with the help of contributors on our Facebook page, Texas sent no less than 25 competitors to the Pyramid with an eye on winning a goal medal and a 2011 world championship.
In the end, we’re pleased to announce that three competitors were able to accomplish this feat at the black belt level and bring home first place medals in their respective divisions.
Leading the way was the man formerly known as “Boxcar” and now known to those around him as “Wolverine,” Brandon Mullins. The GB Texas Instructor can now claim himself to be a 2-time IBJJF World No-Gi champion after beating Renzo Gracie disciple Joseph Capizzi 5-0 for the second straight year to once again win the rooster division.
Also continuing a great 2011 run with a victory in the LBC was Alvarez BJJ head instructor Danny Alvarez. Mr. Alvarez won the featherweight division in his senior class, adding that medal to his resume along with his two 1st place finishes at the IBJJF American Nationals from earlier this year. With a year that also includes 2nd place at the Pan-Ams along with two more 1st place finishes at the Abu Dhabi Pro Trials in San Diego and more, this instructor / competitor continues to be one of the standard bearers at the top of the Texas national competition scene.
Capping off the black belt 1st place finishers on the day was Brazilian Top Team Texas representative Marcello Salazar. Winning his latest big-time title since scoring a frist at the ADCC PRO North American BJJ Championship Gi 2009, Marcello was able to capture a 1st place finish in the masters middle heavy division to add to his own already impressive resume.
Rounding off the medal winners at faixa preta was Alejandro Siqueira of Gracie Barra, who placed 3rd in the masters lightweight division, Tony Bonello (Ralph Gracie Texas), who took 2nd at masters super heavy, and Joseph D. Shelley student Mark Zuber of Nova União / NDMMA, who won 2nd in his senior superheavyweight division.
In addition to the black belts, many other Texas-bred competitors posted impressive finishes in Long Beach.
At brown belt, Relson Gracie Austin student Travis Orr scored a 2nd place finish in the lightweight division while Chris A. Gonzalez of Ralph Gracie Texas took home a 2nd place finish in the senior 1 medium heavy division.
At purple, Deymond Stephens of Team Genesis / Avengers scored himself a world championship by winning the gold at featherweight masters!
As for the blue belts, Emmanuel Martinez of Texas Punishment earned one of the most impressive performances on the day by winning his weight and gaining a 3rd place finish in the open as well in the blue belt adult division.
Rounding out the medal count for Texas were four more blue belts in Mark Delarosa (Avengers / Genesis), Edwin Lipsey (Nova União / Team Trinity), Randy Dorrell (TX Punishment Crew), and Clarence A Simmons Jr (Nova União / NDMMA). Mark and Edwin both come back to the lone star state with silver finishes while Clarence and Randy come back with hard-earned bronze finishes.
All in all out of the 26 competitors we (Texas) sent over, 12 are coming back with top-three finishes! Out of those, 5 competitors can count themselves as 2011 IBJJF No-Gi World Champions.
To conclude, this was definitely a great day for the Texas BJJ Scene and further proof that we are quickly coming up in the game! Congratulations to all that competed on their hard work and we look forward to seeing even greater things from them and the rest of our Texas grappling scene in the near future.
Great job Texas!
For full results from all divisions at the 2011 No Gi Worlds, click here.
For a summary of the adult black belt winners, please visit our friends over at GracieMag!
LIKE TXMMA on Facebook for more in-depth news and coverage of the MMA & grappling scene along with fan contests to win great prizes courtesy of TXMMA.com and much more.
