We’ve already identified some of the top European black belts headed to the 2022 IBJJF European Championships on January 22-29. Don’t forget about their colored belt counterparts:

Owen Jones (purple belt, featherweight) ZR Team UK

The UK prodigy has been turning heads in the last year. Jones won a bronze medal at both Euros and Worlds in 2022 as a blue belt; he also won No-Gi Euros at purple belt in Rome two months ago. His fast-paced game converts dynamic outside passing into backtakes.

William Tregart (purple belt, middleweight) Checkmat

Tregart is a product of the famous Arte Suave academy in Denmark, Copenhagen, the same gym which produced European OG Alexander Trans. He is a two-time World Pro champion at blue and purple Belt, and also a Euros silver medallist at purple belt. The Dane utilizes a modern guard, specializing in De La Riva and collar-sleeve.

Jose Steve (purple belt, middleweight) Cens Academy

This Belgian grappler has made waves in the last several years with his competitive prowess. He won this same division last year, so he'll be looking to retain his title. Steve also won IBJJF Worlds at blue belt in 2021 and earned double silver there at purple belt in 2022. The submission artist is the favorite to win again at middleweight.

Marlon Tajik (purple belt, medium heavyweight) Prana Jiu-Jitsu

Tajik is a product of the kids program of the world famous Prana Jiu-Jitsu, a gym in Sweden that has produced a bunch of world class athletes: Max Lindblad, Cemil Karahan, Emad Omran and many more. The young Swede is a blue belt European champion, took second place at purple belt last year. He will be looking to win his first European title at purple belt with his dynamic passing and belly down footlocks being his strongest assets.

Yarin Chriki (brown belt, featherweight) Soul Fighters Israel

The Israeli athlete won the purple belt featherweight division at Euros last year and he'll be looking to level up this year as a brown belt. Chriki’s strongest asset is his top game and his ability to pin his opponent before he starts testing submissions.

Lucca Leite (brown belt, middleweight) Focus Jiu-Jitsu

Leite is one of the up and coming athletes from Focus Jiu-Jitsu gym, which has also produced world champion Pedro Ramalho. The Portuguese stand-out is a 2022 European and Worlds medallist at Purple Belt, his weapon of choice: the berimbolo.

Selma Vik (purple belt, middleweight) Trondheim BJJ

Selma is both a European and Worlds champion at purple belt. Last year she had one of the best matches of the year against Nia Blackman in the finals of the absolute at the Europeans, which she lost by points. This year Vik has her eyes on double gold. Her tenacious style features strong takedowns and a heavy top game.

Sula Mae Loewenthal (brown belt, middleweight) Gracie Barra UK

Fresh off of victory at No-Gi Worlds last month in California and No-Gi Euros in Rome, Sula will be looking for the same outcome in Paris, this time at Brown belt. Last year she fell short of the gold after losing to Selma Vik in the finals, securing a silver medal, but she’s built up substantial momentum since then. Lowenthal’s closed guard is dangerous; she’s a submission specialist from that position.

Nia Blackman (brown belt, heavyweight) Checkmat

Blackman is a multiple time World, Pan and European champion. In Paris she will make her Brown Belt debut where she will likely try for double gold. She’ll share the division once again with budding rival, Dream Art’s Giovanna Jara. Expect a pressure passing masterclass from the British athlete, who has proven herself one of Checkmat’s most exciting up-and-comers.