OTM is pleased to announce our choice for Submission Grappler of the Year goes to Braulio Estima.
Braulio has long one of the most established and respected Brazilian Jiu Jitsu artists on the competition circuit, and is already highly decorated, but 2009 will go down as the year as the rest of the world took notice of his skills as he won both his division (88 k) and the absolute divisions in Barcelona. Along the way, Braulio managed to submit many of the top competitors, including Andre Galvao and previous OTM award winners Rafael Lovato Jr. and Marcelo Garcia. Although Xande Riberio had to forfeit the final of the absolute due to an injury sustained in the match, the two have been fierce rivals for sometime and each of their battles have been titanic.
The Brazilian born Braulio is currently based out of Birmingham, England where he teaches and enjoys a particularly close relationship with his loyal students.
Says OTM co-founder Gumby “I’ve been amazed by Braulio for years, he may have the most devastating closed guard in the game. Hell of a nice guy, I’m glad he’s achieving success and recognition on a world wide stage.”
Congratulations Braulio Estima, OTM’s Submission Fighter of the Year!
Previous Submission Grapplers of the Year:
2004: Jeff Monson
2005: Roger Gracie
2006: Chris Moriarty
2007: Xande Ribeiro
2008: Jeff Monson
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