Info

WBJJA organizes tournaments and training seminars with the aim of giving Amateur BJJ practitioners a setting in which to safely develop their skill and build confidence in their abilities.

All events organized in 2019 with or in collaboration with WBJJA have a pilot status for the purpose of regulating this sport worldwide.

Competing under WBJJA rules gives you the perfect opportunity to get to know and test your strength of character and skill in BJJ. You’ll face opponents of the same level as you in a safe and balanced match environment that is achieved by considering criteria such as age, weight, belt, experience/time training in BJJ.

“Fair – Chance” progressive Matchmaking System

By leveling the playing field for competitors we assure that opponents facing on the mat are of the same category, level (belt), have been practicing BJJ for roughly the same period of time (especially important for white belts), are in the same weight category and are around the same age.

“Fair chance” means that when entering a match, you have 50% of emerging the victory. It is your determination to win as well as physical and mental abilities that will make the difference.

We are very careful to avoid mismatches in which a more skilled practitioner can score a spectacular submission on a newbie. We consider that this is not good for the sport we all love, because beginners should be given the opportunity to test themselves against opponents of the same value and not get discouraged by losing a match in which they had no chance to begin with.

If you are looking for a challenge, you are permitted to compete at a higher level or category than the one you are in. See REGISTERING FOR COMPETITION for further details.

Recognition and Medals

Every athlete will receive a diploma of participation in the competition, regardless of match outcome or placement in a tournament.

Athletes that win the brackets will be awarded with medals (gold, silver and bronze) for placing 1st, 2nd and 3rd . There will be no match for 4th place, both fighters will be awarded 3rd place, with the next placed being 5th place.

In case of a single match, the winner will be awarded 1st place and the his/her opponent 2nd place.

Furthermore each contestant will be awarded a certain number of ranking points, as follows:

1st place: 9 points;
2nd place: 3 points;
3rd place: 1 point.

Requirements for competition

The athletes are required to compete using their own personal GI that must be appropriate for competition. The referee can ask the competitor to change the outfit if:

The GI is too short or too long
There are patches that prevent the opponent from gripping it
The outfit is wet, dirty or emanates unpleasant smell

Failure to comply with this requirement has the outcome of the respective participant being unable to compete in the match are forfeiting the result.

The competitors may choose to wear a rash guard under the GI.

Any other protective equipment that is considered to harm the opponent is not allowed. (headgear, cups, foot gear etc.)

Allowed GI color for 2019 is WHITE, BLUE, NAVY and BLACK. During the matches competitors will wear different colored belts.

Athletes have to wear a rash guard or shirt made out of elastic fabric, that clings to the body. Athletes can’t compete shirtless or using loose shirts.

Any form of simple shorts can be used to compete, but for those that have pockets – the pockets need to be stitched shut. Any metal or plastic decorations that can hurt the opponent during the match are not allowed.

Any other protective equipment that is considered to harm the opponent is not allowed. (headgear, cups, foot gear etc.)

Finger and toe nails are to be trimmed and short.

Long hair needs to be tied up.

No makeup or any form or dye (hair or outfit) that can stain the mat or the opponent’s GI may be worn.

The check-in at the weigh-in station is 60 – 90 minutes before your division start time, so please make sure you are present inside the premises.

If you fail to make weight, you can’t compete in the match and are considered disqualified. In this situation you are allowed to compete at a superior weight category, if you already registered for it, but you can’t be matched against an opponent on the spot.

Athletes that fail the weigh-in are considered disqualified and are not eligible for a refund.

There is no weight allowance.

Competitors that participate in both GI and NO – GI events have to make the weight for each event.

The weigh-in is done with the GI on (for GI matches) and in the fight gear (for NO – GI matches).

It is the coaches’ responsibility to make sure that the athlete is correctly registered (offer all the necessary details and accreditations in the specified time frame and pay the registration fee).

On match day, it is the responsibility of the coach to make sure that the athlete is available for the weigh-in in the time frame specified (60-90 minutes before division start time).

Also, the coach has to make sure that the athlete is warmed-up and ready for the match and arrives on the mat when called for via the announcement system (video display and sound system).

There is one audio announcement at the beginning of the previous match and one when the athlete’s match starts. The fighter has a maximum of 3 minutes to arrive on the mat, else he / she is considered disqualified.

Coaches have to check the competitor’s equipment and gear to make sure they comply with the rules. If the referee doesn’t accept the outfit of the fighter, there is a time limit of maximum 5 minutes for the competitor and coach to fix the issue. If the problem is not solved in the allotted time, the fighter is disqualified.

Coaches can petition the tournament officials, based on proof, if they consider the outcome of the fight is unjust or for any other administrative problem.

During the match, the coaches are allowed to instruct their fighter from the exterior of the fighting area, behind the initial starting position of the athlete.

Staff, Officials and Referees

They are the personnel tasked with organizing the tournament. For most questions they will be able to help you out, so ask them anything tournament – related. Staff members carry badges or shirts with their role written on them. (“Weight – In”, “Admission”, “Water”, “Medic” etc.)

They are the ones that can solve any problem that the GENERAL STAFF is unable to and any GENERAL STAFF member will direct you to the OFFICIAL in charge to help solve your particular problem.

Tournament officials are represented by the Tournament Managers, people that have attributions related to solving any issues that the General Staff is unable to resolve (including refereeing potential mistakes).

Any petitions regarding special situations or complaints are ruled by the tournament officials.

The REFEREE is the main authority in scoring the match, determining the final result and passing penalties, if necessary. A referee can disqualify a participant if he / she doesn’t comply with the regulations or doesn’t meet the requirements for participating. The REFEREE’s established outcome can be overruled only the TOURNAMENT OFFICIALS via a petition based on solid evidence or proof. Abusive petitioning can result in having the participant disqualified with no claim for refunding.