2700 youth gathered in Orlando Florida over this past weekend to find out who has what it takes to be the best at the IBJJF Pan Ams event held annually.
Natilee Wells, an upcoming 8th-grade student at Madison Middle School, secured an outstanding victory at the IBJJF Pan Am Championship. Representing 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu Richmond, Natilee showcased her prowess on the mat, earning the coveted 1st place title in Teen 1 Yellow Belt Middle Weight.
Competing against a total of 12 talented athletes in her bracket, Natilee demonstrated her technical proficiency and strategic acumen throughout the tournament. In her first and second matches, she secured wins by advantage, displaying her adaptability and resilience under pressure. However, it was in her third match that she truly shone, skillfully executing a sweep attempt for an advantage and landing a guard pass for an impressive 3-0 score.
The success of Natilee Wells at the IBJJF Pan Am Championship is a testament to her dedication to the art of Jiu Jitsu and the tireless efforts of her training at 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu Richmond. She is the 1st Pan Ams Champion for Richmond, KY and for 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu Richmond.
Not only did Natilee excel, but her teammates also exhibited remarkable performances during the championship. Joey Lopes fought valiantly, securing victory in two hard-fought matches with an arm bar and 2-0 points, narrowly missing the chance to medal with a loss to an armbar. Tor Lunneborg, a student at LaFontaine Preparatory School, impressed with an 8-0 victory in his first match but ultimately fell out of the quarterfinal bracket due to a triangle. Vitoria Lopes, in her debut competition, showed tremendous promise despite losing by points.
The entire 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu Richmond team should be commended for their exceptional performances at this world-class event. Their hard work and dedication to their craft were evident, and they represented their school and community with pride.
In addition to the Pan Am Championship, several 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu Richmond students also competed in Somerset, gaining valuable experience and showcasing their skills. We extend our congratulations to Noah Jett, Chandler Jett, and Briar Jett for their impressive performances.
In the adult category, Adam Fritz of 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu Richmond secured the Bronze medal in the IBJJF Atlanta Open black belt division, while William Branstutter achieved a well-deserved Gold medal at Fuji Somerset.
