AMERICA?S BEST BATTLED AT GRAPPLERS QUEST Submitted by: Luca AtallaPosted On 05/17/2005Grapplers Quest became the Largest Grappling Event on the Planet at the U.S. Nationals of Grappling on Saturday, May 14th in Jersey City, New Jersey. More than 1,300 competitors graced the mats for nearly 9 solid hours on 10 competition rings. The U.S.A. Trials featured the best 24 competitors in America. In the Lightweight Division, Rani Yahya, a Rickson Gracie Black Belt from California took home the championship belt. In the Welterweight Division, Regis Lebre, a Saulo Ribeiro Black Belt from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania had a war with Igor Gracie in the finals to take home the championship. In the most anticipated match of the day, arch rival academies, Yamasaki Jiu Jitsu and Team Lloyd Irvin Jiu Jitsu pitted their two best competitors against each other. These two teams have battled each other brutally in many matches over the years and this was the pinnacle of all match-ups. Lloyd Irvin prodigy, Mike ?The Prowler? Fowler faced Yamasaki Head Instructor, Francisco Neto in an absolute war. Early in the match, Neto was ahead by 2 points, when Fowler immediately setup a kneebar and submitted Neto. The crowd of more than 2,000, including 200 Lloyd Irvin fans erupted in a ROAR! Props to Neto for stepping up against a formidable opponent, but this day was Mike Fowler?s and Team Lloyd Irvin?s major victory. In the Cruiserweight Division, Rick Macauley, a Balance Studios Brown Belt battled Renzo Gracie Black Belt, Jamie Cruz in the finals to take the win by points. All in all, there were 12 submissions in the U.S.A. Trials. The best competitors in the nation put it ALL on the line and it showed. The next event is Saturday and Sunday, July 9th and 10th, 2005, The Grapplers Quest Southeast Championship and Copa Atlantica
