What a great weekend of art and martial arts! The Nick Cave exhibit as the SAM was incredible, and the jiu-jitsu waiting for me courtesy of Budo Videos when I got home - to say nothing of the action on Sunday - was equally mind-bottling.
Here are a few quick thoughts about what I got to see and hear.
Absolute and heavyweight gold medalist Rodolfo Viera's incredible top game and pressure against Bernardo Faria (among others). In a world of deadlier and deadlier guard games, Viera's performance warms this guard passer's heart.
The show of sportsmanship between Raphael "Barata" Freitas and Felipe Costa as they waited for a judges decision after an extremely close match.
Michelle Nicolini's great triangle/armbar comeback from behind to submit Fabiana Borges.
The way Team Alliance rose up to drown out those who began to boo Gabi Garcia during her gold medal match.
Claudio Calasans brutal wristlock of Lucas Leite in under a minute.
Renzo Gracie black black belt and guest commentator Shawn Williams' insistence that watching tournaments and competition footage was "without question" the best way to get better. Asked if he had any regrets over his 14 years in jiu-jitsu (nine as a black belt), Shawn said, "I regret quitting competing when I did."
Caio Terra's calling out of the steroid users in jiu-jitsu, saying competitors should be tested ahead of the Worlds this summer.
Bocheca's great choke from mount against veteran Bastos, to win gold at superheavy.
Wishing desperately for more competition at feather and lightweight for Atos and Alliance. Both divisions were closed out, with Atos even closing out the semifinals of the featherweight division!
