Last year, Eddie Fyvie organized a Rickson Gracie seminar that saw 320 people from around the world come together at Saratoga Springs to learn from one of jiu-jitsu’s greatest legends. After seeing the success of the seminar, Gracie called Fyvie to set up a tournament circuit, and thus, the Rickson Gracie Cup was made a reality.
The Cup will debut in Albany, New York, on September 9 and 10, and if you love jiu-jitsu, it’ll make you feel like you’re in heaven. The event will feature a seminar with Rickson Gracie himself, plus an expo for all things jiu-jitsu, with booths featuring experts on nutrition, fitness, and just about anything else you could want. Perhaps the most exciting feature, though, will be the self-defense demonstration.
“Rickson is on a mission to unify our art to create a more organized and higher level of standard that will help carry our art in the future,” said Fyvie. “Also, with self-defense being somewhat misinterpreted, fragmented, or lost from BJJ, we believe it could lead to the art becoming unrecognizable and weaker in the future.”
The tournament at this year’s Cup in Albany will also be ideal for any competitors who want to be part of a well-run event that features both gi and no-gi divisions for kids and adults alike. The competition will be double-elimination, and in an effort to bring jiu-jitsu back to its roots, stalling will be penalized and no advantages will be awarded.
Those who choose to attend the two-hour seminar are in for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. At only $50, it’s the lowest price Rickson has ever charged for a seminar, and both photos and video will be permitted for the first time ever.
If you think this year’s event sounds fun, just wait until next year — 2018 will see the launch of the self-defense championship. Rickson Gracie, Pedro Sauer, and other surprise guests will put on a demo during the second day of this year’s event to show attendees what to expect if they enter next year’s competition.
Fyvie describes the entire circuit as “an event that celebrates the culture of Jiu-Jitsu, honors our traditions, and keeps the art alive… You can compete, go to a Rickson seminar, or enjoy the matches and vendors on display.“
Registration for the tournament is open until September 2 or until the limit of 800 competitors is reached. Secure your spot now and learn even more about the Rickson Gracie Cup by visiting the website. Spots are filling up fast, so make sure to sign up as soon as you can!
“Rickson is on a mission to unify our art” Does it really need to be “unified”. Whats wrong with a buffet approach where people take what they like and leave the rest? Does everyone really need to train self defense or no gi?
In short, yes. The core of jiu jitsu is self-defense. Sport jiu jitsu has creeped away from that aspect of the art, and has actually become somewhat stale to watch.
The addition of sub-only tournies and like Polaris, Metamoris and EBI are starting to breathe new life into BJJ.