The ADCC, known as the “Olympics of the submission grappling world,” has long been considered the highest accolade anyone can receive in no-gi jiu-jitsu.
However, the tournament organisation has recently been making moves to attract more amateur athletes to its ruleset. This is achieved via the expansion of its open tournament circuit.
Recently, the organisation announced plans for a series of ADCC US Opens to be held in the next three months. This is a big step for the organization to reach more individuals and increase the popularity of ADCC tournaments.
ADCC 2024 World Championship
The organisation recently teased an ADCC 2024 world championship that will include divisions for juveniles and masters in addition to the traditional adult championship. This move is aimed at making the tournament accessible to all levels of skill, not just elite competitors.
The ADCC tournament circuit is becoming increasingly similar to that of the IBJJF, the largest organisation in sport jiu-jitsu. However, ADCC tournaments are generally known for having a less restrictive ruleset, with looser uniform policies and more permissible attacks during competition. This less restrictive approach will attract many athletes who are looking for a more relaxed competition experience.
The founder of ADCC, Mo Jassim, commented on the organisation’s upcoming US open tournaments, saying “ADCC takeover just starting.” This statement highlights the organization’s growth and potential impact on the competitive jiu-jitsu scene. Many fans are excited about this possibility as it is going to bring more competition and variety to the sport.
The growth of ADCC’s open tournament circuit is expected to change the landscape of the competitive jiu-jitsu scene, where high-prestige options for hobbyists have been mostly limited to the IBJJF majors. The addition of US opens, and juvenile and masters divisions will provide more opportunities for amateur athletes to compete and showcase their skills. This is great news for fans of the sport and the development of the sport.
Featured image credits to Hywel Teague
