Gracie Oceania Dunedin will be sending eight athletes. Stuart Marks principle instructor Ryan Gracie Academy will take a team of eight competitors to Melbourne Australia to compete in the IBJJF International Open. Unfortunately the dates clash with the New Zealand Grappling and Wrestling Association National Championships. Gracie Oceania have been committed supporters of the New Zealand Grappling and Wrestling Association however with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu being their primary combat sports code and this tournament being an international it must take preference. Whilst there are some Jiu Jitsu events in New Zealand they are mainly in the North Island and with comparative travel related costs an international in Australia is attractive and makes sense.

The competition will be on a major scale with many competitors of the highest quality. Being an international open it will draw athletes from all over the world including from Brazil the home of BJJ. Stuart Marks is hopeful his team will win some medals to complement their previous success at the Pan Pacs. The team includes one female whom is looking forward to competing against other females. The New Zealand Grappling and Wrestling Association member clubs have had a full first year leading up to the nationals with member clubs competitors competing in many combat sports codes from wrestling to grappling and MMA nationally and internationally.

The New Zealand Grappling and Wrestling Association wish Stuart and the team every success and look forward to their participation in our expanded national competitions and training camps in 2012.

Principle Instructor – Stuart Marks (Centre), alongside the NZ competitors representing the Ryan Gracie Academy.
From left to right: Logan Conway, Joy Crowley, Jarrod Halligan, Benoit Auvray, Philip Lindsay, Peter Menhinick, Oliver Bland, Graham Beckett.