Ten fighters from Open Mat Bermuda are in Secaucus, New Jersey, for the Pan International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation No-Gi Championship, taking place from today through Sunday.

Ryan Hopkins, Jahmali Bridgewater, Keegan Dyer, Greg Maybury, Charles Patten, Ramazan Ramazanov, Reina Maypa, Lonnie Bascome, Christopher Regan as well as Jason McAlpine made the trip for one of the largest and most competitive tournaments in North America.

The Bermuda-based academy is represented by competitors across multiple age, weight and belt divisions, ranging from blue to black belt. Last year, a team of seven fighters brought home five medals from the same event when it took place in Hampstead, New York.

Athletes from the island are looking to test themselves against some of the best grapplers from across the Americas and around the world.

The tournament attracts thousands of competitors and is considered one of the premier events on the international Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu calendar.

Open Mat owner Aaron Dyer described the academy’s participation as another opportunity to showcase the growth of the sport on the island while gaining valuable experience on one of its biggest stages.

“The team entered the event with competitors in both adult and masters divisions, highlighting the depth and diversity of Bermuda’s grappling community,” Dyer said.

“Open Mat Bermuda has grown tremendously over the past few years. Having ten athletes competing at the Pan No-Gi Championships is a reflection of the dedication and hard work put in by our members.

“We’re proud to represent Bermuda on one of the biggest stages in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and look forward to seeing our athletes test themselves against some of the best competitors in the world.

“Open Mat Bermuda will be looking to build on the academy’s continued growth and further establish Bermuda’s presence within the international Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community.”