Emmanuela Oliveira 
The AJP Tour, highlighted by its high level in terms of structure and recognition of Jiu-Jitsu as a professional sport, is a federation that has been experiencing worldwide expansion. In the AJP USA’s case, which organizes tournaments in the United States, it couldn’t be any different. In an interview with VF Comunica, Henrique Carepa, president of the federation, commented on the goals achieved and the plans being implemented for the events that will be held throughout the season.
“Since the start of the year, we’ve successfully hosted five AJP events in Florida, South Carolina, and Texas. We have already confirmed, or are in the process of confirming, events for each remaining month of the year. These will take place across several regions of the country, including events in Georgia, California, and Massachusetts, as well as other key states that have not been addressed by the leading organizations operating in the United States.”, Carepa said.
Increasing participation of athletes is an incentive for organizers
When observing the performance of the latest AJP USA tournaments, Henrique highlights the increase in the number of participating athletes, also a result of the encouragement of professors who want their students in a tournament that offers better rewards, such as cash prizes and visibility. By operating in the competitive Jiu-Jitsu scene, within the scope of tournament organization, the federation’s mission is to differentiate itself among the others.
“While there are many organizations and championships operating in the United States, AJP sets itself apart due to its commitment to delivering an athlete-focused experience that offers a second-to-none tournament option at a tremendous value. AJP prioritizes hiring experienced referees who maintain a safe atmosphere and whose expert knowledge of the sport leads to a higher degree of fairness and accuracy in scoring and a better overall customer experience. In addition, AJP invests in high-quality and well-designed event resources, such as mats, signage, and podiums, that result in a far more polished, professional-looking atmosphere than those offered by competitive organizations.”, Henrique detailed.
The Grand Slam from AJP Tour in the United States will take place in Dallas, Texas, September 28th and 29th, an event highly anticipated by competitors. In addition to the recurring cash prizes throughout the season, Henrique Carepa points to large-scale visibility as one of the biggest advantages of participating in an event of this magnitude.
“The Grand Slam impacts the professional athlete in both the immediate and long terms. First, AJP offers over U$1 million cash prizes during the whole season. More importantly, the significant investment into the production quality of this event has positioned it as a high-profile, prestigious event held in high regard amongst the competitive Jiu-Jitsu community. Success in a prestigious, well-respected event provides the athlete with a vehicle for significant exposure to a large audience.”, he concluded.
