Crazy 88’s youth Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu team traveled to Kissimmee, Florida, for the 2026 IBJJF Pan Kids Jiu-Jitsu Championship and came home as the most-decorated academy in Maryland. Six of the nine athletes we sent to the largest youth BJJ tournament in the world reached the podium, and three of them fought their way into the finals of their divisions. For a team built around individual development rather than trophy counting, it was a weekend that spoke for itself.
About the IBJJF Pan Kids Championship
The IBJJF Pan Kids Jiu-Jitsu Championship is the largest and most prestigious youth Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournament in the world, hosted each year by the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation. It brings together thousands of young competitors, from Mighty Mites as young as four years old up through the teen divisions and draws powerhouse academies from across the globe.
The 2026 edition ran July 24 to 26 at the Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee, Florida, with divisions split by age group, weight class, and belt rank. Earning a medal here means beating the best young grapplers in the country, which is exactly what our athletes did.
Nine Athletes, Six Medals, Three Finalists
Crazy 88 sent a team of nine athletes to Pan Kids, coached by Jiu-Jitsu World Champions and black belts Vanessa Griffin and Devin Riley. Six of the nine medaled and three reached the finals of their divisions. Here is how the weekend unfolded.
Day 1: Naomi Mensah and Cameron Fiataugaluia
Naomi Mensah went into the tournament with just 13 months of training and reached the finals of her division. After three dominant wins, a small mistake cost her the lead in the championship match, and she took home silver. A remarkable result for how new she is to the sport.
Cameron Fiataugaluia won an exciting quarterfinal 7 to 2 to earn his place on the podium for the second year in a row.
Both Naomi and Cameron earned their yellow belts on the mat.
Day 2: Manny Coello and Tawan Sullivan
Manny Coello reached the final of his division and took second place, improving on his bronze finish from the year before. A clear year-over-year step forward.
Tawan Sullivan won his match and earned a spot on the podium for the first time, a breakthrough that came after years of showing up and putting in the work.
Both athletes were promoted following their performances.
Day 3: Evelyn Hexter and Kohen Townsend
Evelyn Hexter earned her third consecutive Pan Kids medal, following bronze and silver in previous years with another bronze this time. She showed off dynamic guard passing across two matches on her way to third place, and earned her yellow belt.
The team closed out the weekend with rookie Kohen Townsend, who blew the coaches away. In a nail-biting quarterfinal, he fought back from a deficit to earn a last-second tap, then followed it with a triangle submission to reach the finals. For a first-year IBJJF competitor, it was an outstanding run, and he capped it by earning his yellow belt.
Why Crazy 88 Kids Win
Crazy 88 focuses on each individual child. Our coaches work to understand every athlete’s personal “why” and then build training around fostering that passion. The medals are a byproduct of that approach, not the point of it. We also maintain a firm standard regarding what we celebrate.
“We never claim empty medals. Every medal we claim has been earned by at least one match win. We do not believe in rewarding participation alone with a material object.“
That standard is part of what makes this year’s haul meaningful. Every one of these six medals was fought for and won.
Giving Back to the Next Generation
Many Pan Kids competitors go on to give back as coaches, and this year was no exception. A special thank you to Devin, Judah, and Asher for all the effort they put in before, during, and after the tournament to support our young athletes.
Build Confidence, Discipline, and Skill at Crazy 88
Is your child ready to start? Crazy 88’s kids Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program builds confidence, discipline, and real skill in a safe, coach-led environment, whether your goal is competition or just growth on and off the mat. Claim your 7-day free trial today and see what the Crazy 88 difference looks like.