Crazy 88 Mixed Martial Arts had a successful showing at the 2017 IBJJF Master’s World Championship this year. Of its eight competitors that traveled to Las Vegas, three new Master’s World Champions were crowned: Amanda Riggs, Leona Mansapit, and Michael Silverman.
Amanda Riggs, Leona Mansapit, and Michael Silverman win Gold in Blue Belt Masters Divisions
This year’s tournament eclipsed last year, making it one of the biggest events held by the International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation. There were over 4,320 competitors (up from 3,585 in 2016) over three days across 21 mats (up from 16 mats last year), and held on August 24-26th at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Day 1 – August 25
First on deck was Amanda Riggs in the Masters 1 Blue Belt Feather Weight Division. Riggs had a total of four matches to win the Gold Medal. In her first match, she scored two points with a takedown in the last 10 second for the win. She proceeded to triangle the next three opponents in less than two minutes each. Riggs later entered the Masters 1 Blue Belt Open Weight Division and won her first match in the same fashion, with a tringle submission from guard. Despite her submission streak, she lost in the Semi-Finals to bring home a Bronze Medal from the absolute division.
Amanda Riggs wins Gold and Bronze in Blue Belt Masters Division
Second on deck was Michael Silverman in the Masters 4 Blue Belt Light Feather Weight Division. He won his first match by judge’s decision and his second by advantages. He started competing in his forties and finally broke through with a Gold Medal at the IBJJF Master’s World Championship.
Michael Silverman wins Gold in Blue Belt Masters Division
To finish the day, Leona Mansapit won three matches in the Masters 2 Blue Belt Light Weight Division to bring home the third Gold Medal for the team. Mansapit won her first match via mounted arm bar. She won her second match 3-0 and her Finals match 2-0. Mansapit also entered the Masters 2 Blue Belt Open Weight Division, where she won two matches and lost in the Semi-Finals to bring home another Bronze Medal.
Leona Mansapit wins Gold and Bronze in Blue Belt Masters Division
The team finished the day winning a total of 9 matches with zero losses in the weight classes, and won three matches in the absolute divisions with two losses. Three new Master’s World Champions were crowned and three competitors brought home five medals. It was a good start to the tournament.
Day 2 – August 26
First up on Day 2 was Aung La Nsang in the Masters 1 Purple Belt Heavy Weight Division. Nsang won his first match 3-2, his second 5-0, and the Quarter-Finals 5-0. He unfortunately could not pull off the win in the Semi-Finals by one advantage. He brings home the Bronze Medal.
Eduardo Viana was up next in the Masters 1 Purple Belt Medium-Heavy Weight Division. Viana won his first match 6-0, his second opponent was DQ’s for no-show, his third match 5-0, and the Quarter-Finals match via arm bar. He also comes home with the Bronze Medal.
Aung La Nsang wins Bronze in Purple Belt Masters Division
Eduardo Viana wins Bronze in Purple Belt Masters Division
Jeff Mueller won one match via omoplata submission and lost his second match. Cathy Tran-Zwanetz and Lakita Patterson also competed at the tournament.