Gracie Raleigh Brings Home 22 Medals at the NEWBREED Tournament
This past weekend, 17 Gracie Raleigh students stepped onto the mats to represent our academy at the NEWBREED Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Tournament.
The results were outstanding.
Weekend By the Numbers
🥋 17 Competitors
🥇 10 Gold Medals
🥈 8 Silver Medals
🥉 4 Bronze Medals
🏆 22 Total Medals
🥈 2nd Place Overall Adult Team
We’re incredibly proud of every student who competed, but these numbers only tell part of the story.
The biggest victories from the weekend weren’t always measured by medals.
More Than Medals
One statistic means more to us than any medal count:
More than 20 teammates, coaches, parents, and family members came to coach, cheer, and support our competitors throughout the weekend.
That support is what makes Gracie Raleigh special.
When someone steps onto the mat, they never do it alone.
There are coaches in their corner.
Teammates cheering from the sidelines.
Parents sacrificing weekends.
Volunteers keeping everything running.
That culture is something we’re incredibly proud of.
Celebrating First-Time Competitors
One of the most exciting parts of every tournament is watching students compete for the first time.
This weekend, congratulations go to:
- Henry Moore
- Brody White
- Saif Joudeh
- Cole Gritz
- Liam Rondon
Walking onto a competition mat for the first time takes courage.
Regardless of the outcome, every one of these students gained valuable experience, tested themselves under pressure, and took another step forward in their jiu-jitsu journey.
Personal Milestones
Some accomplishments don’t show up in the medal count.
This weekend included several moments we’ll remember for a long time.
Rowan Ruano
Rowan earned his first tournament victory, proving that persistence and consistent training pay off.
Rowan Carr
Rowan earned his first submission in competition, an exciting milestone that reflects the hard work he’s put into his training.
Ryan Wood
After taking nearly two years away from competition, Ryan returned for his first tournament as a blue belt and captured double gold.
His performance was a reminder that patience, consistency, and showing up every day eventually pay dividends.
Why We Encourage Competition
One of our favorite moments from the weekend wasn’t on a podium.
It was seeing coaches kneeling beside students before matches, calming nerves, answering questions, and reminding them that the goal wasn’t perfection—it was growth.
At Gracie Raleigh, competition is completely optional.
Many of our students train simply for fitness, confidence, self-defense, or because they enjoy learning Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with great people.
For those who decide to compete, tournaments become another classroom. They reveal strengths, expose areas to improve, and build confidence that carries into everyday life.
The same supportive culture extends throughout our academy—from our Kids Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Adult Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Muay Thai programs. Every student is encouraged to challenge themselves while supporting everyone around them.
Thank You
Thank you to every competitor who represented Gracie Raleigh with class.
Thank you to our coaches for giving your time, knowledge, and encouragement throughout the weekend.
Thank you to our parents and families for the early mornings, long drives, cheering, and unwavering support.
And thank you to every teammate who came simply to coach, encourage, and celebrate someone else’s success.
Those moments matter just as much as the medals.
Ready for the Next Challenge?
The next NEWBREED Raleigh Tournament takes place on December 12, and we’re already looking forward to it.
If you’re a current student who’s been thinking about competing, now is the perfect time to start preparing. Talk to one of our coaches after class, and we’ll help you every step of the way—from registration and rules to strategy and match-day coaching.
If you’re not yet part of Gracie Raleigh but have been thinking about trying Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, there’s plenty of time to begin your journey before December. Whether your goal is confidence, fitness, self-defense, or competition, we’ll help you build a strong foundation in a welcoming and supportive environment.
Back to the mats. Back to learning. On to the next one.