National Highlights – Texas BJJ reps perform admirably at 2012 American National Jiu-Jitsu Championship

Julian Vega | photo: GracieMag

CARSON, CA, September 9, 2012 – It can be considered another successful day for Texas Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu on the national scene yesterday at the IBJJF’s 2012 American National Jiu-Jitsu Championship.

Texas was represented by only a handful of players who decided to make the trek out to California to compete in this one but it looks like, by our count, most of them are taking medals back to the lone star state!

First place winners included Julian Vega of Elite MMA who took the gold in the adult brown belt lightweight division.

After the event, we briefly spoke to Vega who has been staying in Costa Mesta, CA for the past few months apprenticing under the Mendes Brothers at the Art of Jiu-Jitsu Academy:

“It was a good tournament man. I actually started getting sick on like Wednesday or Thursday so I was really scared you know. I was getting really congested and my head’s been hurting but I didn’t want to not be able to compete. I got out there today and just did the best I could.”

Julian’s toughest match was his first, a tight contest that resulted in a 2-0 points win after the eight minute time limit. He would go on to win his second by flying triangle in about 40 seconds before winning the final match over Nova União’s Christian Broadnax by triangle in about a minute and a half.

Aside from Julian, Jay Gloria of Alvarez BJJ in the lightweight teen division is also bringing a gold medal back to Texas from the American Nationals this year with his own well-earned performance.

Likewise, Tyler Bosard of Gracie Barra in Brownsville also took home a gold in his black belt super-heavyweight division.

Pedro Migliano | photo: Mike Calimbas

Additional winners included a pair of Rilion Gracie Academy representatives from Houston in Alan Chapa Jr. and Pedro Migliano.

Migliano continued his success after being promoted from blue earlier this year by winning the bronze medal at the American Nationals. This follows his open class win at F2W/WGC’s Europa Torque Tournament earlier this summer. Meanwhile his teammate picked up the silver medal in the purple belt men’s roosterweight division.

Also picking up silver medals were a pair of Texas black belts in Brandon Mullins (GB Texas) and Marcello Salazar Bergo (BTT Texas) along with Atos rep Emmanuel Martinez – a current CA resident whose spent the bulk of his BJJ career training with the Texas Punishment Crew (TPC) out in Beaumont.

Expect to see even more exciting performances from Texas BJJ players upcoming at the majors like the upcoming 2012 IBJJF Pan Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Championship upcoming in New York City later this month while of course also seeing the same statewide as well with all the tournaments coming up.

Full results from the 2012 American Nationals listed here.

Check our comprehensive TXMMA Events Calendar for all upcoming Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA events etc. happening all across the state.