Rocky Top Sports World to Host Gatlinburg Grappling Tournament
This July, Rocky Top Sports World will host the 2016 Gatlinburg Summer Grappling Games. Martial artists from around the country will descend on our Smoky Mountain city to compete in this one of a kind tournament. If you would like to participate in the games or would like to attend as a spectator, read on for everything you need to know about the upcoming grappling tournament in Gatlinburg.
Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and Submission Grappling
For those who may not know, grappling is a type of combat sport in which competitors try to achieve a dominant position over their opponent. The tournament in Gatlinburg will focus on Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and submission grappling. In the “gi” division of the tournament, competitors will wear the traditional uniform of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, a kimono like outfit with a white belt, blue belt, purple belt, brown belt, or black belt, depending on experience level. In the “no-gi” division, participants will not wear the gi and will be ranked as Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, or Expert, rather than by the color of their belt. In both divisions, the goal is to force your opponent to “submit”: to give up and end the match.
Registering for the Gatlinburg Grappling Tournament
The Gatlinburg Summer Grappling Games will be held on July 9, 2016. Both the gi and no-gi divisions are open to male and female participants in a variety of age groups:
- Kids (4 – 12)
- Teens (13 – 17)
- Adults (18 – 29)
- Masters (30 – 39)
- Seniors (40 and over)
To sign up for the Grappling Games, visit the official registration page. The final registration deadline is July 5, 2016 at 10 p.m.
Attending the Tournament as a Spectator
Whether you’re a longtime martial arts aficionado or you’ve never seen Brazilian Jiu-jitsu before, you will enjoy watching the Grappling Games. Tickets are available for $10 in advance using the above registration link, or you can purchase them at the door in cash. Children under the age of five can enter for free.
Tournament Schedule
Here is the schedule for the Grappling Games at Rocky Top Sports World:
- 8 a.m. Doors open
- 9 a.m. No-gi divisions for Kids and Teens
- 10:30 a.m. Gi divisions for Kids and Teens
- 12 p.m. Gi divisions for Adults (men and women), Masters and Seniors
- 1:30 p.m. No-gi divisions for Adults (men and women), Masters, and Seniors
Weigh-ins will take place during an assigned time before each division and will be conducted without the gi. There will be a 1 pound allowance to account for undergarments and scale difference.
About Rocky Top Sports World
Rocky Top Sports World is the perfect place to hold a grappling tournament! Our spacious indoor facility has everything you need for a sports event, including bleacher seating, three team rooms, a control desk, message boards throughout the building, and an onsite grill. Located minutes away from all of the restaurants and attractions in downtown Gatlinburg, our sports complex offers unparalleled views of the Smoky Mountains. To learn more about Rocky Top Sports World, visit our facilities page!
