News & Updates - Archive 2007-2009

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A Note From the Organizer
Thank you to everyone who competed, volunteered and came to watch the 2009 Freestyle Grappling Open.  The field surged to roughly 200 adult competitors, marking the third straight year of participation growth.

This year, Team Link captured the overall team trophy, unseating two-time winner, the Academy of Mixed Martial Arts. Congratulations to Team Link for such an impressive showing.

Both the Gi and No-Gi absolute matches featured world-class brazilian jiu-jitsu.  In the Gi competition, Abmar Barbosa of Drysdale Jiu-Jitsu ended a valiant run by 154lbs Renan Borges of BTT. In the No-Gi absolute, Alexandre Moreno of Team Link topped past winner Dan Simmler of Serra BJJ.

In the women’s absolute division, Nathalia Azoff of BTT defeated Amie Thompson of Alexey Cruz Jiu-Jitsu and in the Gi division, Alison Tracey of AMMA secured the title over Jill Valenzuela, also of AMMA.
Full results, pictures and video can be found on-line at www.FreestyleGrapplingOpen.com.

Next year we will be making adjustments to prevent the delays we experienced this year.  Expect double the number of mats, some adjustments to the divisions, and for No-Gi competitors to go first. 

 Finally, stay tuned for an important announcement regarding next year.

 Thank you again for being part of the 2009 FGO.

Rufus Frost,
Tournament Founder/Director

FREESTYLE GRAPPLING OPEN RETURNS TO THE PORTLAND EXPO CENTER FOR A THIRD YEAR OF COMPETITION OCT. 11, 2009

Portland, ME, October 7, 2009 – On Sunday, Oct. 11th 2009, top Brazilian jiu-jitsu, judo and wrestling talent from throughout New England will descend on Portland as Maine’s premier grappling contest returns for an intense day of competition. Once again this year has an extensive array of divisions offered to athletes of all skill levels.

“Now in our third year, we are attracting some of the best talent in New England to compete in the upper ranks and large numbers of athletes at the beginner level” says Tournament Founder/Director Rufus Frost. Organizers hope to exceed last year’s attendance which had over 150 participants competing in more than 40 divisions. 

The team trophy for top performing school was awarded to The Academy of Mixed Martial Arts from Westbrook, ME. 

The event’s management team includes staff from Aura360, a leading emerging sports marketing firm based in Portland, decorated Olympic champion Jimmy Pedro, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt Alexey Cruz, and numerous staff and volunteers.

FACT SHEET
PRIZING
In addition to a team trophy for the top performing school and individual medals for each division, a $1,500 cash prize will be awarded to the winners of the Absolute division. Prizing will be as follows:

WINNER MEN’S NO-GI: $500 WINNER WOMEN’S NO-GI: $250

WINNER MEN’S GI: $500 WINNER WOMEN’S GI: $250

RULES/FORMAT The Freestyle Grappling Open will offer both Gi and No-Gi Divisions. Competition scoring and rules are based on the fundamentals of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The competition will follow a modified double elimination format. Divisions include Men’s Adult, Masters and Women’s Adult. Rules have been developed with safety and sportsmanship as the highest priority to ensure a fun and safe experience for all skill levels. 

ENTRY FEES
ONLINE, FAX AND MAIL-IN REGISTRATION: $60.00 per person; for BOTH Gi & No-Gi divisions $70.00
ON-SITE REGISTRATION: $70.00 per person; for BOTH Gi & No-Gi divisions $80.00
Current members of the military are entitled to a 10% discount. Proof must be presented at registration.

THE FREESTYLE GRAPPLING OPEN RETURNS TO PORTLAND FOR A THIRD YEAR OF COMPETITION ON OCTOBER 11TH, 2009
Registration for the event will open August 12th, 2009

Portland, ME, August 12, 2009 –The Freestyle Grappling Open, Maine’s premier grappling event will return on October 11th, 2009.  The event, which attracts top brazilian jiu-jitsu, judo and wrestling talent from throughout New England, will once again be held at the Portland Expo Center in Portland Maine.

The sport of grappling, and specifically brazilian jiu-jitsu, has grown dramatically over the past several years as mixed martial arts has exploded into the mainstream.  Grappling is considered a core discipline for fighters who compete in mixed martial arts.

Athletes from several schools in Portland, such as Choi’s and the Academy of Mixed Martial Arts will be competing.  Olympic judo champion Jimmy Pedro and other notable mixed martial artists are expected to attend. 

FREESTYLE GRAPPLING OPEN RETURNS TO THE PORTLAND EXPO CENTER:
OCT. 12, 2008
EVENT IS LARGEST OF ITS KIND IN MAINE

Portland, ME, September 9, 2008 – On Sunday, Oct. 12th 2008, athletes from all over New England will descend on Portland as Maine’s premier grappling contest returns for another intense day of competition.  Four-time Olympic Judo Medalist Jimmy Pedro will make a special appearance as athletes compete on 4 mats in up to 104 divisions.

“After the success of last year we are extremely excited to return to Portland, this is the event for the region’s best athletes from all levels to come and showcase their skills” says Tournament Director Alexey Cruz.  Organizers hope to exceed last year’s attendance which had over 100 participants competing in more than 40 divisions. 

Regulus Holdings’ management team includes staff from Aura360, a leading emerging sports marketing firm based in Portland, decorated Olympic champion Jimmy Pedro, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt Alexey Cruz, and numerous staff and volunteers.

Last year’s Absolute class winners included USA Judo team member Rick Hawn, competitor on the SPIKE Reality Series “The Ultimate Fighter” Dan Simmler, Portland native Liz Waldes, Renan Borges and Carlos Neto of Brazilian Top Team in Boston, Massachusetts and Emily Kagan of Orono.   The team trophy for top performing school was awarded to The Academy of Mixed Martial Arts from Westbrook, ME. 

FACT SHEET

PRIZING
In addition to a team trophy for the top performing school and individual medals for each division, a $3,000 cash prize will be awarded to the winners of the Absolute division. Prizing will be as follows:

   
RULES/FORMAT
The Freestyle Grappling Open will offer both Gi and No-Gi Divisions. Competition scoring and rules are based on the fundamentals of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The competition will follow a modified double elimination format. Divisions include Men’s Adult, Masters and Women’s Adult. Rules have been developed with safety and sportsmanship as the highest priority to ensure a fun and safe experience for all skill levels. 

ENTRY FEES
ONLINE, FAX AND MAIL-IN REGISTRATION: $50.00 per person; for BOTH Gi & No-Gi divisions $60.00
ON-SITE REGISTRATION: $60.00 per person; for BOTH Gi & No-Gi divisions $70.00
Current members of the military are entitled to a 10% discount. Proof must be presented at registration

DIVISIONS

SCHEDULE

8am-9am:  Weigh-in and registration for all competitors
9:30am:  Rules Meeting
10am: MATCHES BEGIN
Women Adult - Gi
Masters - Gi
Men Adult - Gi
Women Absolute -Gi
Men Absolute - Gi
11am-12noon:
(Late weigh-in and registration for No-Gi competitors (all Gi competitors must weigh-in and register between 8am-9am)
12:30pm: Rules Meeting #2
Women Adult- No-Gi
Masters - No-Gi
Men Adult - No-Gi
Women Adult - No-Gi Absolute
Men Adult - No-Gi Absolute

For media inquiries please contact:
Lauren Panarese – 207-699-2360, lauren@aura360.com

News Archive 2007

GETTING A GRIP ON THEIR COMPETITION

FREESTYLE GRAPPLING OPEN REGISTRATION INFORMATION

November 16, 2007, Portland, Maine:

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Discounted Early Bird registration closes on November 20.

Registration will continue with regular pricing after November 20.

Registration Deadlines

FAX - 5pm on 11/30/07

MAIL- received by 11/28/07

ONLINE – 5pm on 11/30/07

ON-SITE: Competitors may register at the event from 8-9am on 12/1/07. Late registration is available for Adult No-Gi only from 11-12pm (all Gi competitors and Junior No-Gi competitors must register before 9am).

Entry Fees:

Junior: $40.00 per person (advanced early bird registration discount available until 11/20/07), $50.00 (late registration); For BOTH Gi & No-Gi divisions $60.00 (advanced registration), $70.00 (late registration)

Adult: $50.00 per person (advanced early bird registration discount available until 11/20/07), $60.00 (late registration); For BOTH Gi & No-Gi divisions $70.00 (advanced registration), $80.00 (late registration)

Military discount: Current members of the military are entitled to a 10% discount. Proof must be presented at registration

FOUR TIME OLYMPIAN JIMMY PEDRO SCHEDULED TO MAKE APPEARANCE AT THE FREESTYLE GRAPPLING OPEN
November 6, 2007, Portland, Maine: World Champion Jimmy Pedro, one of the most decorated judo players in American history and two time Olympic medalist will make a rare appearance at the inaugural Freestyle Grappling Open. World renowned for his judo expertise, coaching ability, and training methods, Pedro was the recipient of the Olympic bronze medals in 1996 and 2004 as well as the winner of numerous national and international titles.

The Freestyle Grappling Open, a martial arts grappling tournament blending disciplines including wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and judo into a freestyle format will occur on December 1st, 2007 at the Portland Expo Center, Portland, Maine. Athletes in the Absolute division will vie for a $3000 prize in the first major grappling-based martial arts tournament to be held in the city of Portland.

Choi Martial Arts and Regulus Holdings Announces Freestyle Grappling Open
June 1, 2007, Portland, Maine:  Choi Martial Arts and Regulus Holdings announces the creation of the Freestyle Grappling Open, a martial arts grappling tournament blending disciplines including wrestling, brazilian jiu-jitsu, and judo into a freestyle format. The inaugural event is scheduled to be held at the Portland Expo Center on December 1, 2007.

Despite the rapid growth of the sport, the event will mark the first major grappling-based martial arts tournament to be held in the city of Portland. The 3000 seat capacity Portland Expo Center was selected as the competition venue due to its easily accessible location, size and professional standards.

The founding management team’s vision is to make the tournament the premier competition in New England. “It’s a rapidly emerging sport and the exceptional athletes that compete deserve an event in New England that is of the highest caliber” said Alexey Cruz, Tournament Director.

Information on format, rules, prize money and other key facts will be released on the event’s web-site (www.freestylegrapplingopen.com) over the coming weeks.