This year, over 500 competitors should up for what ended up being a long and competitive day of grappling highlighted by an ambitious all-black belt grand prix.
Several top names from around the area and elsewhere in the state showed up to partake in the $1,000 winner-take-all tourney.
The participants included: Jason Soliz (TX3C), Alex Martins (Paragon Dallas), Bruno Alves (GFTeam), Spenser Gilliam (Solis Martial Arts), Chris Westfall (Team Lutter), and Bernardo Pitel (Nova Uniao).
After some hotly contested matches, Alex Martins of Paragon was able to take home the prize money and title of tournament champion over his fellow black belts – continuing a streak of wins as of late for the Dallas-based instructor.
As for the rest of the tourney, it was definitely a full day for everyone with almost 200 competitors missing weight and needing to be re-bracketed on the day of the tournament. Despite the delay, the tourney went on as fast as possible with many grapplers performing well once they got to step on the mats.
We spoke to Elbert Hebron and he has assured us that GPG will take steps to enhance efficiency and make these tournaments run even faster in the future. He also told TXMMA to pass along his thanks to all the grapplers that came out to the event and for their continued support of the long-running GPG events.
Complete individual and team results for the entire tournament can be found on the Grand Prix Grappling website coming soon.
2013 Texas International Grappling Festival Event Photos (Click to enter album)
2013 Texas International Grappling Festival – Select Match Videos
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