Rip Tide instructor places third at Pan Ams

The Pan Ams is the largest Brazilian jiu jitsu tournament in the world, with 1,700 to 1,800 competitors in total. Even the World Championships don't have as many competitors, and as a result, the Pan Ams have been spread out to a five-day-long event with each day having 10 to 12 hours of active mats. It started March 20 and finished March 24.

Head instructor Shawn Bodio of Rip Tide Martial Arts competed and earned a third-place finish.

“That was the largest bracket I have experienced to date,” he said. “And as Brazilian jiu jitsu grows, it will just keep getting bigger.”

Assistant nstructor Dalton Tyndall also competed and had an impressive performance.

Bodio said, “Dalton was following his game plan to the letter and did a fantastic job.”

Bodio is shown with his Pan Am third-place medal.