ADCC Expands Open Tournament Circuit to Draw in More Competitors
ADCC, also known as the "Olympics of the submission grappling world," has recently been working to attract more hobbyist athletes to its tournaments through the expansion of its open tournament circuit. This move comes after the organization made an announcement on its official Instagram page that a series of ADCC US Opens would be held within the next three months. Additionally, the ADCC teased the inclusion of juvenile and masters' divisions in the ADCC 2024 world championship, along with the traditional and highly competitive adult division.
The growth of the ADCC's open tournament circuit resembles that of the IBJJF, which has long been the biggest organization in sport jiu-jitsu. However, ADCC tournaments are known for having a less restrictive ruleset compared to the IBJJF, including more lenient uniform policies and a wider range of permissible attacks during competition. The founder of ADCC, Mo Jassim, commented on the organization's announcement of its upcoming US open tournaments, saying "ADCC takeover just starting," which has gained over 200 likes so far.
This expansion of the ADCC's open tournament circuit is expected to have a significant impact on the competitive jiu-jitsu scene, where previously hobbyist athletes had few high-prestige options outside of the IBJJF. The growth of the ADCC's open tournament circuit will provide more opportunities for hobbyist athletes to participate in competitive jiu-jitsu, and the more lenient ruleset may also attract more athletes to the ADCC.
The ADCC World Championship gold is widely considered the highest accolade that can be achieved in no-gi jiu-jitsu, and the inclusion of juvenile and masters' divisions in the ADCC 2024 world championship will provide even more opportunities for athletes of all ages to compete. The ADCC has a reputation for hosting brutally competitive tournaments, and the inclusion of these new divisions will likely only add to the intensity of the competition.
Overall, the expansion of the ADCC's open tournament circuit and the inclusion of juvenile and masters' divisions in the ADCC 2024 world championship show the organization's dedication to attracting and providing opportunities for a wider range of athletes. The more lenient ruleset of the ADCC may also make it more appealing to athletes who are looking for a different competitive experience. The impact of these changes on the competitive jiu-jitsu scene will be interesting to watch, and grappling fans seem to be excited about what the future holds.