Thursday, November 16, 2006

PAN-AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP :


Pan American Championship
March 30th, 31th and April 1st.
PAN-AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP

Held annually in the United States since 1995, the Pan-American Championship represented the first step towards the internationalization of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as a sport. Back then, in the first event, a group of almost 250 athletes took part in the pioneering and historical enterprise. A lot has changed since then. The tournament has grown tremendously and has achieved recognition as the biggest Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competition in North America and as one of the most important events in the world.

Currently the Pan-Ams attract athletes from all corners of the planet and it grows a bit more every year. In the latest edition of the tournament, held in the city of Carson, California, 1200 competitors signed up. This incredible number set a new record for the event.

The Pan-American Championship is held by the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation, a governing body directly connected to the Brazilian Condeferation (CBJJ). In order to fulfill its role in the expansion of BJJ, the Pan-Ams have been held in many different regions of the USA, boosting the practice of the sport in important centers such as Los Angeles, Miami, Orlando and even Honolulu, in Hawaii.