CJI 2 Trials Kick Off in Melbourne with Exciting Matches

MELBOURNE, Australia — The first official trials for the Craig Jones Invitational 2 (CJI 2) kicked off on May 10, 2025, hosted by renowned coach Lachlan Giles. The event aims to determine the Australasia team for the CJI 2 Quintet event in the -99kg and +99kg divisions.

The trials, streamed live on the B-Team’s YouTube channel, began at 10 p.m. EST on Friday, with local time starting Saturday noon in Melbourne. The tournament format includes a sixteen-man mini-bracket followed by a six-man round robin. The winner of the mini-bracket earns a chance at the round robin, where the top submissions will also win a $5,000 bonus sponsored by SubMeta.

The first three roster spots for the Australasia team have been filled, including two athletes who were original members from CJI 1 and a wildcard spot for the -66kg division. The grappler for the -66kg slot will be an external wildcard, emphasizing the unique structure of the event.

Participants, including Declan Moody and Belal Etiabari, engaged in intense matches under the watchful eye of their coach, Giles. Throughout the competition, the focus remained on submission grappling, with the scoring system withholding public points to prioritize finishes.

In one of the key matchups, Declan Moody faced off against Kaya Rudolph. The match culminated in a decisive victory for Moody, showcasing his grappling prowess and securing his position as a top contender. Meanwhile, Etiabari narrowly defeated his competitor Belal, advancing him in the tournament.

Grapplers like Kit Dale and Roberto Dib-Frias also demonstrated their skills, wrapping up their matches with strategic moves. The competition displayed the depth of talent in the region, and several participants noted the difficulty of the match-ups and the dynamic strategies employed.

As the event progressed, the atmosphere was electric, with fans tuning in to witness the potential rise of new talent in the BJJ community. The anticipation continues as the final placements for the Australasia team are confirmed and the full team roster is revealed.

The excitement surrounding the trials highlights the growing interest in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and grappling in the region, setting the stage for the upcoming CJI 2 event.