FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Calgary, April 18, 2023 – All Versus All is making its first appearance in Calgary, Alberta, next month, giving the province’s jiu-jitsu athletes and grapplers an opportunity to shine on the mats.
Known better as AVA, the tournament features a unique submission-only and round-robin format, promising thrilling matches for athletes and spectators alike. By emphasizing submissions rather than point collecting, AVA encourages the display of the beauty of jiu-jitsu, which encompasses strategic thinking, unwavering focus, and honed skill. The submission-only structure brings out the best in competitors of all ages.
Many jiu-jitsu tournaments in Canada are points-based, meaning competitors receive points for positions they achieve during the allotted match time. This can mean competitors ahead on points can stall to secure their victory. There is a growing demand for the sub-only style tournament, of which AVA is among the few in the country, as many consider it a purer form of grappling.
AVA includes all abilities, ages, and styles, offering male and female divisions in nogi and gi categories. Cash prizes are awarded in the professional division, along with championship belts. Custom medals are awarded in all divisions, including children and youth. Teams that collect the most points during the AVA season can win their team name engraved on the custom-designed AVA Cup, considered the Stanley Cup of jiu-jitsu. The breakdown of prize money and rankings can be found on the AVA website.
AVA will be held May 27, 2023, at Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre in Cochrane, Alberta.
The tournament is the brainchild of Scott Boudreau, owner and head coach at BUDō Jiu-Jitsu in Vancouver, British Columbia. Scott, an avid competitor himself, strongly believes in building community.
“AVA’s goal is to bring the Canadian jiu-jitsu community together. There are no other Canadian sub-only jiu-jitsu tournaments that we know about, so I am working at expanding AVA so Canadian athletes not only have the opportunity to hone their skills in a great competition but also because it brings the people together outside the gyms which tend to operate in silos.”
AVA is incredibly popular in Vancouver, with the last competition in March selling out. Bringing it to Alberta makes perfect sense, added Scott.
“BJJ is thriving in Alberta, and I want to provide a space for the province’s exceptional depth of talent,” he said. “This tournament allows professional and recreational athletes an opportunity to claim bragging rights against athletes from neighboring gyms, and it also attracts other competitors from all over the country, which I’m happy to say helps the local economy and inspires future generations of Canadians to be a part of this awesome sport.”
