Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Tour: a look into the numbers of a year of thrills in the 2019/2020 season
The 2019/2020 season of the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Tour was one for the history books. From June 2019 to March 2020, thousands of competitors took the highest level of Jiu-Jitsu to six of the most important cities in the world. Moscow, Tokyo, Los Angeles, Rio de Janeiro, Abu Dhabi and London were the stages of a global parade of talents and dedication to achieve the highest of glories.
As the final match in the 2019/2020 ADGS season took place at the Copper Box Arena, on March 8, 2020, we immediately started to look at the numbers of an outstanding year of competitions. Here are some of the most important figures we found in the results of each event.
In the adult black belt division, an incredible roster of champions from several nations made their way to the top of the podium. In total, 41 different athletes conquered gold medals in the most important division at play, including both the adult male black belt division and the adult brown/black belt division. When you look at countries, the list is also large, as talents came from all over the world. Brazil, Sweden, Japan, USA, Poland, Australia, Norway and Wales are the eight nations that had champions in the adult black belt division.
Each weight class in the adult black belt division featured intense duels and returning champions. Many athletes were able to win multiple titles. In the female brown/black belt division, Brazil’s Gabrieli Pessanha was the most successful competitor, tallying 5 gold medals in six events (Tokyo, LA, Rio, AD, London) in the 95kg division. Also from Brazil, Gabriel Sousa was able to win four editions of the ADGS in two different weight classes (Moscow, LA, AD, London). Diego Batista was another competitor able to win four gold medals in the ADGS season (Moscow, LA, Rio, London). Thamara Silva was also a four-time ADGS champion in the 2019/2020 season (LA, Rio, AD, London). Ana Rodrigues went into high gear and also won four gold medals in the season (LA, Rio, AD, London). Mayssa Bastos closes the list of four-time champions, with wins in Moscow, Tokyo, Rio and Abu Dhabi. The list of multiple time champions also include: Diego Ramalho (2X), Carlos Alberto Oliveira (2X), Martina Gramenius (2X), Brenda Larissa (2X) Adam Wardzinski (2X), Francisco Jonas Andrade (2X), Charles Negormonte (2X), Kalel Santos (2X).
The 2020/2021 season promises to be even greater. Again, with six events scheduled, the ADGS Tour is scheduled to kick off in Moscow, on June 20-21, 2020. The tour then continues to Rio de Janeiro (August 14-16, 2020), Los Angeles (September 12-13, 2020), Tokyo (November 14-15, 2020), London (February 6-7, 2021), and finally Abu Dhabi (April 1-3, 2021). For the latest news on the 2020/2021 season of the AJP Tour, go to ajptour.com. Follow daily updates on Instagram at @ajptour and @jjwplus.