Professor Tussa wins gold at Heavyweight and Professor Tammy Griego wins Absolute

LONG BEACH CALIF.— Gracie Barra New Mexico Instructors Roberto “Tussa” Alencar, Rafael “Barata” Freitas and Tammy Griego all captured medals today at the 2012 International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation No Gi World Championships in Long Beach, Calif. Tussa captured gold in the Heavyweight division. Griego brings home a gold medal in the Open-Weight Category along with a silver medal in the heavy weight class. Barata reached the final in light-featherweight division and Tussa’s victory over rival Rafael Lovato Jr. marks the fourth No Gi World Championship for the Gracie Barra Chief Instructor and his second IBJJF gold medal this year. Alencar also won gold at the 2012 IBJJF No Gi Pan-Ams on Sept. 29.

Griego found herself in a familiar position after having to settle for silver in her weight division after a 4-2 loss to Fernanda Mazelli from Striker JJ. After the 2012 IBJFF World Jiu Jitsu Championships on June 3, Griego had lost in the final of her weight class but still had the Absolute title to fight for. Exactly five months and a day to from when she won the Absolute Brown Belt title and received her Black Belt from Professor Tussa, Griego won her first Absolute Title at Black Belt via a referee’s decision after a 4-4 tie over Beatriz Mesquita.

Barata reached the gold medal match but lost 4-1 on advantages after a 0-0 tie to Henrique Costa from Alliance.