The tournament, Casca Grossa SA, is held once a year for Brazilian jiu-jitsu fighters.
Stefan Pretorius, one of Springs’ professional Extreme Fighting Championships (EFC) fighters, also took part in the tournament, along with some of Rio Grappling Club’s junior students, who are trained by him.
Read: Rio Grappling athletes pack in the medals
Head coach Jurgen Putter trains the senior students at the club in Springs
Michael van Heerden who fought in the 84kg and under division, received a gold medal for winning his division.
Fighting in the under 88kg division, Stefan received a silver medal after placing second.
Kyle Joubert won a bronze medal in the 66kg and under division, and Kyle Pretorius won the children’s division and brought home a gold medal.
Read: BJJ fighters make Springs proud
Stefan explains that Casca Grossa SA presents a unique opportunity to the athletes.
“Each winner of his division, in his belt ranking, gets an automatic entry into the absolute division, and the winner of each belt ranking absolute, wins a cash prize,” he says.
