The Crazy 88 girls were crowned champions at the IBJJF New York Spring 2017 tournament on April 8 and 9, 2017. Crazy 88 Mixed Martial Arts traveled with 15 competitors from the Elkridge and Owings Mills locations to compete with white, blue, and purple belts.
Highlights: Spearheading the girls group, Vannessa and Lakita closed out the Purple Belt Open. Amanda and Tori took gold in their Blue Belt Divisions. First-timer Olivia won her IBJJF white belt division.
Day 1 – Saturday April 8
The day started with the Purple Belts. Vannessa Griffin was up first and won her only match on points to win the Gold Medal in the Purple Belt Middle Weight class.
Vannessa Griffin wins Gold in Purple Belt Middleweight Division
Later that day, Vannessa closed out the Purple Belt Open Division with teammate Lakita Patterson. Lakita also took Bronze in the Light Weight Division. Lakita won the coin toss to take home Gold in the Open Division after winning two matches. She countered her opponent’s osoto gari attempt with a big hip throw in her first match. She won on points in both matches and got a bye in the second round. Vannessa also received a bye in the first round and won two matches in the Open Division. She won her first match by an advantage and her second match with double-digit points.
Lakita Patterson and Vannessa Griffin close out the Purple Belt Open Division
Likewise, Amanda Riggs won Gold in the adult Blue Belt Feather Division after submitting four opponents. She got two via triangle choke from guard and two with kimuras from side control after hitting sweeps and passing.
Following in suit, Tori Kime won Gold in the adult Blue Belt Light Feather Division. She submitted her first opponent via omoplata choke, won a close match on points in the Semifinals, and submitted with a quick arm bar in the Finals.
Amanda Riggs and Tori Kime win Gold in Blue Belt Feather and Light-Feather Divisions
Meghan Siroco, an up-and-comer on the juvenile team, won her first match on points. She took home the Silver Medal in the Juvenile Blue Belt Feather Division.
John Johnson, another master’s student that choose to fight in the adult division. He won two matches in the adult Purple Belt Super-Heavy Division, one via wrist lock. He brought home the Silver Medal.
Byung Ju Lee went 1-1 for the day competing in the Purple Belt Light Weight Division. He won his first match on points and wasn’t able to get the win in the Quarterfinals match.
Michael Silverman competed in the Master 3 Blue Belt Feather Division and also went 1-1 for the day. He won his first match on points and brought home the Bronze Medal.
Day 2 – Sunday April 9
By the same token, Olivia Obodoagha entered her first IBJJF tournament in the female White Belt Super Heavy Weight class. She took Gold in her division winning two matches, the first ahead on points and the second by several advantages.
Olivia Obodoagha wins Gold in White Belt Super Heavy Division
Komil Juraev also won Gold in his first IBJJF tournament in the adult male White Belt Heavy Division. He won both matches by points, the second match by double-digits, and he received his Blue Belt on the podium.
Komil Juraev wins Gold in White Belt Heavy Division
Navarro Chamberlain took Bronze in the adult male White Belt Heavy division, also competing in his first IBJJF tournament. He won his first match on points and lost in the Semifinals.
Similarly, Mark Banks won Bronze in the Master 1 White Belt Feather Division. He won his first match on points as well and lost in the Semifinals.
Brett Barkley also competed in his first IBJJF tournament in the adult male White Belt Medium Heavy division. He won his first match on points, although losing in the Quarterfinals.
Leah Mays and John Bender also competed at this event.