Seven year old clinches two championship titles

FLORIDA — The Ultimate Sambo Mixed Martial Arts Academy competition team recently participated in a two day National Level grappling tournament in Wildwood N.J. The tournament, run by event leader, The North American Grapplers Association (NAGA), drew participants of all ages, from as far as Brazil, resulting in over 1,000 competitors. NAGA is the largest grappling circuit in the world with many of it’s competitors moving on to professional mixed martial arts careers, such as Matt Serra (currently appearing in the TV show; The Ultimate Fighter), and many of the infamous Gracie Brazilian Jujitsu practitioners. Participants compete in both Gi (uniform) and No Gi divisions, each division requiring different skills and abilities. Often competitors must wait six to eight hours between divisions. Unlike many other types of tournament, NAGA does not award medals for all children who compete. Competition in grappling events is extremely tough with many competitors in every division. Participants must remain focused at all times. To place, yet alone take a championship title, is quite an achievement. Champions were awarded engraved Samurai Swords and all place winners automatically become nationally ranked. Results: Demi D’Angelico - age 7, Florida - first place - Gi division and first place No-Gi division; Alyia Perez - age 8, Florida - fourth place -NoGi division; Thomas Ricciardi - age 12 , Vernon, N.J. - third place Gi division; Mark Ricciairdi - age 9, Vernon N.J. - second place Gi division. Honorable mention - John Sheridan age 9, Florida. Adult Competitors include: Stephanie Simon of Florida, first place Gi division and third place No-Gi division; Justin Press, Ephrata, Pa., first place No-Gi division; and honorable mention to Ryan Ahearn, Warwick.