The Dutch Open is the most important grappling tournament in the Netherlands. Every year, dozens of teams try to win the title of ‘best team in the Netherlands’. But time and again they fail. The organizing team, Jiu Jitsu Factory, wins the team prize every year. They are one of the oldest and largest teams in the country, with more than ten locations.

This year we aimed for the impossible: to defeat the largest and strongest team with just one gym. A school that has only been open for just over two years.

For months, the entire gym lived towards this day. And on June 14, it was finally here.

WHITE BELTS

Wanci made a great comeback after her last competition. She won her first match on points. In the final, her opponent went for an illegal leg lock, resulting in disqualification. Wanci won the gold medal.

Erwin competed in the masters and won there in an extremely dominant manner. He won both matches by more than 10 points difference.

Jesse won his master category very dominantly. He won his first match with a submission within 30 seconds, the second lasted just over a minute.

Jess and Nick competed in the adult lightweight division. In the semifinals, they faced each other. Jess advanced to the final, which he won by submission, and Nick also won his match for bronze with a nice submission.

Just winning his weight class was not enough for Jess. He also signed up for the Open Class. There he threw all his much larger opponents and made it to the final. Unfortunately, he lost that. Still, an impressive achievement to get so far as a lightweight in the Open Class. This morning we awarded Jess his well-deserved blue belt.

BLUE BELTS

Noel and Fitzie competed in the featherweight division. Dean lost in the semifinals but made a dominant comeback with a win in the match for bronze. Noel was unstoppable and submitted all his opponents. His longest match lasted 2 minutes and 14 seconds.

Sebastian and Siddy competed in the Ultra Heavyweight division. Sebastian won the division and also eliminated a strong athlete in the Open Class before he was stopped in the quarterfinals.

Red Bastiaan lost his first match but came back with a strong submission in the match for bronze.

Joran Mul won his division with only submissions, advanced to the Open Class, won three matches by submission, and the final on advantages. Double gold for Joran!

Serj had three tough matches against the same athlete. He lost the first but made a strong comeback and won matches two and three.

Philzão proved to be a class above his opponents and won all his matches by submission to secure gold.

Kevin, Sander and Rodney fought hard and went home with silver (Kevin & Sander) and bronze (Rodney).

PURPLE BELT

Cheq decided, despite his preparation for his next MMA fight, to test himself with a grappling tournament. He won his first match by submission but was surprised by a flying arm lock in his second.

Gabriel CJ participated despite a less than optimal preparation. He took the bronze.

BLACK BELT

Caio tested himself against some of the best black belts in the Netherlands. He won his own division with two submissions. He also won both matches in the Open Class by submission. He is going back to London with double gold!

BEST TEAM

All those medals have led to something very special. This year we did what many saw as impossible: winning the team prize with a single gym.

This is only possible thanks to the great commitment of our members and coaches. Everyone has worked towards this goal. The athletes, the recreational practitioners, the coaches.

And after months of preparation, pushing each other, and a day full of highs and lows, we succeeded.

We are the best grappling team in the Netherlands!