We decided to recognize a man who started 2006 strong, who finished 2006 strong, and who managed to stay active (and impressive) on the circuit the entire year.
Choosing our pick for Submission Grappler of the Year was a more daunting task than ever, being an off year for ADCC and top competitions playing out all over the world. We decided to recognize a man who started 2006 strong, who finished 2006 strong, and who managed to stay active (and impressive) on the circuit the entire year.
OntheMat.com is pleased to announce our choice of Submission Grappler of the Year 2006 goes to Chris "Cabecao" Moriarty.
Chris Moriarty began the year winning the Budweiser Cup Pro Division, looking pretty unstoppable in the process, beginning and ending the tournament with submission victories.
More victories were to follow in various events such as the World Grappling Game, Grappler's Quest and NAGA, amassing a stellar win-loss record and always providing exciting matches.
Chris also managed to travel to Brazil and take third in both brown belt absolute for both the Copa do Mundo and the Mundials two weeks later, a feat unprecedented by an American (and for that matter, very few).
Chris won what might have been the most difficult division this year (the ADCC North American Trials) and he won three of the four matches by submission. This feat alone made him a strong contender for Submission Grappler of the year and put him on top of what is easily the most stacked weight class in the country.
It's hard to believe that Chris has only been training since July of 2002 and is a full time pre-med student! Chris trains in Atlanta under the watchful eye of Romero "Jacare" Calvacanti Chris is one of the most exciting grapplers on the circuit right now with his solid play and alwyas go for the submission style. Congratulations Chris!
Previous Submission Grapplers of the Year:
2005: Roger Gracie
2004: Jeff Monson
Look for our year end recap and awards tomorrow! We also have a Reader's Choice Award, which you can participate in by visiting the OTM Forum here!