An unforgettable weekend in Las Vegas. Marangoni BJJ sent three athletes to the 2026 IBJJF American National Championship — and all three came home with gold. Four medals. Zero losses. 100% team success.
Christian Kouassi — Purple Belt Gold
Christian competed in the Master 1 Super Heavy division at purple belt and went two for two — winning both matches to claim the gold medal. Strong, composed, and technical — exactly what you'd expect from a Marangoni BJJ competitor.
Kathleen Tripp — Blue Belt Gold
Kathleen had a dominant run through the Master 2 Light division at blue belt, winning both of her matches to take the top spot on the podium. Her performance is a testament to what's possible when you commit to the process — at any level, at any age.
Professor Marangoni — Double Gold, 8x Champion
Professor Gabriel stepped on the mat five times across Gi and No-Gi and finished all five opponents by submission. Not a single match went to points. He now holds 8 American Nationals titles in the last 4 years — 4 in Gi, 4 in No-Gi — making him one of the most decorated competitors at this event in recent history.
What This Means for Our Students
These results don't come from a secret curriculum. Christian, Kathleen, and Professor Gabriel all train the same fundamentals that are taught in every class at Marangoni BJJ in Salt Lake City. The details that win at the American Nationals are the same details being drilled on our mats every week.
We hope these results inspire more of our students to step onto the competition mats and challenge themselves. Whether you're a brand-new white belt or a seasoned competitor — the journey is always worth it.