AJP Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Rio de Janeiro expecting a huge display of high level Jiu-Jitsu this June

If you’re aiming to test your skills at the highest level, Rio de Janeiro, the birthplace of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is the place to be.

Since 2015, Rio de Janeiro has been one of the greatest stages for the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Jiu-Jitsu World Tour. Now, the Marvelous City will be with us yet again, this time to kick off the 2023-2024 season of the AJP World Tour. From June 9th to 11th, athletes from all over the world will be welcomed at the Arena Carioca to show their prowess and technique in one of the most well-coordinated federations of the sport.

In each of its editions, the ADGS Rio has hosted duels that remain in the memories of the entire community. One such battle was the legendary battle between Felipe Pena and Xande Ribeiro in 2016, which saw both Brazilians step onto the mats for the final round of the 94kg division. Xande started ahead in the advantages, but a last-second sweep allowed Pena to turn the tables and become the champion in a match that would be talked about for years to come. In 2022, the tournament brought outstanding performances from AJP top-tiered athletes, such as Lucas Protasio, Jansen Gomes, Leonardo Mario, and Yatan Bueno, further adding to the already rich annals of the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam.

But while the event’s history grows with each edition, the city itself is also a major part of why the ADGS Rio is such a successful tournament. It is no secret that Rio de Janeiro, with its beautiful vistas and tropical climate, is the birthplace of Jiu-Jitsu as we know it. Famous landmarks, such as the Carlson Gracie statue or the legendary Tijuca Tênis Clube, are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the influence that BJJ has had on the culture of the locals. Simply put, it’s where it all began. But that bond goes even further, with all the best and most traditional gyms still being housed in the city. This allows athletes from all over the world to reach Rio’s paradisiac shores and learn from professors that have trained and taught for decades, giving them precious insight into the sport as a whole and even into specific positions and techniques. If you’re aiming to test your skills at the highest level, Rio de Janeiro is the place to be.

For this year’s edition of the ADGS Rio, Henrique Ceconi is one of the names to watch out for. Nephew of the 2009 World Pro Champion Alexandro Ceconi, Henrique started training Jiu-Jitsu from an early age, which landed him the nickname of “Little Ceconi”. Now a grown black belt, Henrique Ceconi is the main
representative of the eponymous Ceconi Kmkz, adding glory to the name with each win he racks up. At his latest competition, the South America Continental in March, Henrique mercilessly climbed through the weight and absolute brackets, taking the coveted double gold after five wins by submission and two by points. In high spirits after the win but still aware of the danger that the ADGS Rio presents, Henrique pulled all stops in his training sessions, aiming to bring his A-game to the Arena Carioca. “I expect that, by the end of this tournament, no one will be able to forget the name ‘Henrique Ceconi’”, states the black belt.

The Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Jiu-Jitsu World Tour 2023-2024 Rio de Janeiro begins June 9th for Masters and receives Professional athletes throughout June 10th and 11th. The tournament will take place in the Arena Carioca, Barra da Tijuca. Registrations will be accepted until June 5th.

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