Winning The IBJJF Denver Open: A Program Director’s Insights
On April 25th and 26th, 125 Easton Brazilian Jiu Jitsu athletes descended on the Regis University Field House for the 2026 IBJJF Denver Open. Over the course of the two-day tournament, our competitors earned a total of 59 gold, 25 silver, and 8 bronze medals.
The IBJJF in Colorado
The Denver Open is one of the newer IBJJF tournaments. The first IBJJF Denver Open was in 2018, and since then, it has become one of the most important tournaments in Colorado’s Brazilian Jiu Jitsu community.
Before having an IBJJF event locally, athletes often had to travel out of state to experience the organization’s rule set, level of competition, and tournament atmosphere. Now that we have an IBJJF tournament in Colorado, local athletes have access to a world-class competitive experience without the additional expense and logistical challenges of travel.
The tournament atmosphere
The Denver Open atmosphere is unique because it combines the professionalism of a major IBJJF event with the energy of a local community tournament. One of the things that stands out most is the level of preparation.The venue is filled with athletes, coaches, families, and teammates who have spent months preparing for this moment.
Competitors know they’ve earned their place there through consistent training. Whether someone wins or loses, stepping onto those mats represents months, sometimes years, of dedication. There’s certainly intensity and pressure, but there’s also excitement, camaraderie, and a shared appreciation for the sport.
Over time, it has become a major annual milestone for Colorado’s grappling community. For Easton specifically, the event often feels like a reunion of our entire community. Athletes from all of our academies come together to support one another, creating an atmosphere that is both competitive and deeply team-oriented. As a team, it is a tournament that we look forward to all year!
Competing at the Denver Open
The IBJJF Denver Open attracts a wide range of competitors, from white belts entering their first major event to black belts competing at an elite level. We strongly encourage everyone to come out, especially our instructors, as we want to lead from the front!
IBJJF tournaments are divided by age, belt rank, weight class, and gender, allowing athletes to compete against others with similar experience and physical attributes. At Easton, we encourage competitors to work closely with their instructors before registering.
While there are no formal requirements for this specific tournament, we always recommend athletes waiting until at least their 3rd stripe on their white belt before trying a competition. We want athletes to have a solid understanding of the rules, expectations, and commitment involved before stepping into a tournament of this caliber.
For many practitioners, the Denver Open represents an important step in their competition journey. For some, the Denver Open serves as their first exposure to high-level IBJJF competition. For others, it’s an opportunity to test themselves against some of the best athletes in the region while earning points toward larger competitive goals. It becomes a launching point toward competitions such as Pan Ams, Nationals, No-Gi Worlds, or Masters Worlds.
Easton Training Center’s presence at the tournament
Easton’s participation has grown tremendously over the years. While we have always taken a large group of competitors to the event, our squad has evolved into one of the largest and most visible team presences at the event.
As our programs have expanded, so has our competitive culture. More students are pursuing competition goals, more instructors are actively coaching competitors, and more academies are contributing athletes to the team effort. The growth isn’t just measured in numbers. It’s reflected in the experience level of our competitors, the professionalism of our preparation, and the strength of the community that supports them.
What’s the value of competing?
We encourage all of our students who are interested in competing to give it a try. Competition provides a level of feedback that is difficult to replicate in the academy. It reveals strengths, exposes weaknesses, and teaches valuable lessons about preparation, composure, and performance under pressure.
Regardless of the outcome, competitors often leave with a clearer understanding of their Jiu Jitsu and a stronger sense of confidence. The lessons learned through competition frequently accelerate growth both on and off the mats. Once you’ve competed at that level, the sky’s the limit for your competition journey!
On a more macro level, competition strengthens the culture of the academy. It gives students opportunities to represent something larger than themselves and creates shared experiences that build stronger relationships across schools.
When athletes compete, they aren’t just testing their individual skills, they’re contributing to the growth and development of the entire team. Every match helps strengthen Easton’s competitive standards and inspires the next generation of competitors. Every lesson earned by the individual is brought back into our academies and shared with our entire team. We grow together!
How can Easton students compete at the IBJJF Denver Open?
Thinking about competing at the IBJJF level? First off, you can do it! And you won’t be alone, most of your instructors, including myself, will be out there competing with you!
Start preparing early. Focus on consistency rather than intensity. Attend competition classes, get an extra Randori a week, learn the rules thoroughly, and spend time developing a game plan that suits your strengths.
Easton’s Denver Open competition training camp
At Easton, we have a great structure in place for students who want to perform their best at the IBJJF Denver Open. Our competition training camp is designed to prepare athletes physically, technically, and mentally for the tournament.
While the structure evolves slightly each year, the focus remains the same: creating an environment where athletes can sharpen their skills, increase training intensity, and develop confidence before stepping onto the mats.
The camp is open to competitors across all divisions and experience levels. Some participants are preparing for their first major tournament, while others are experienced competitors pursuing podium finishes. The expectation is commitment. Athletes are expected to attend consistently, train with purpose, and approach the camp with a professional mindset.
The goal isn’t simply to get in shape, it’s to develop the habits, discipline, and preparation necessary to perform under pressure. One of the most valuable aspects of camp is the team environment. Competitors push each other, support each other, and build relationships that often last far beyond the tournament itself. It’s a special thing for Easton to have all of our competitors in the same room training together for one goal!Â
It’s also important to remember that competition is a skill in itself. Your first tournament isn’t about proving anything. It’s about gaining experience, learning how to manage nerves, and understanding what it’s like to perform under tournament conditions. Approach the process with humility and curiosity. Every competitor, regardless of experience level, has something to learn.
An instructor’s perspective
One of the most rewarding aspects of coaching is watching students challenge themselves in ways they never thought possible. As instructors, we certainly care about performance and results, but what stands out most is the courage it takes to compete.
Walking onto a competition mat requires vulnerability, preparation, and a willingness to test yourself publicly. Whether a student wins gold or loses in the first round, the growth often comes from the preparation process itself. The discipline developed through training camp, the lessons learned through competition, and the confidence gained from facing adversity are all victories that extend far beyond a single tournament.
Regardless of the outcomes, you will wake up tomorrow a better Jiu Jitsu fighter! Ultimately, that’s why events like the Denver Open matter. They provide opportunities for athletes to discover what they’re capable of while strengthening the community that supports them.
As the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Program Director, I’m really happy that Easton has consistently been one of the largest teams at the Denver Open, and I’m so proud of the hard work our competitors put in. This year Easton won both the Gi and No-Gi team championships! We’re already looking forward to next year’s IBJJF Denver Open.
