October 20, 2024
10th Planet Jiu Jitsu Richmond continued their successful weekend on Sunday. Three of their students traveled to Ft. Lauderdale Florida to compete at the International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federations inaugural No-Gi Pan Ams event.
Natilee Wells and MCHS freshman is a returning champion from the 2023 IBJJF Pan Ams Gi event
She also won the American Nationals title in June. Eager to make a statement and win both major titles for 2024, Wells came out and immediately pulled to guard. Once in her favored starting place she went to work. Initially Wells scored a sweep. On an out of bounds reset Wells went back to guard and was able to successfully execute a sweep and finish the match with a mounted triangle for gold.
Tor Lunneborg, a Middle school student at Model, also secured a Pan Ams NoGi title. In his opening match Lunneborg scored a double leg takedown to score 2 points. His opponent immediately scrambled and the paired landed with Tor securing guard. The rest of the match was finished with Tor attempting to sweep and submit his opponent to win 2-0. In his 2nd match his opponent attempted to pull guard. Tor worked on passing guard. Eventually he was able to secure a back position fighting to the end to unsuccessfully secure a rear naked choke. He won final match 6-2 for gold.
Vitoria Lopes earned a silver medal at the event. In her opening match she was able to secure a take down. She swept her opponent for top position finishing the match victorious 6-0. In the finals Lopes intimated a takedown that left her fighting from bottom position. Her escapes where stopped and eventually her opponent secured a triangle for a finish.
Both Lopes and Lunneborg were awarded the rank of yellow/white belt for their efforts at the end of the event.
