Wizard Invitational: A Strong Debut for Upstate Jiu-Jitsu
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Wizard invitational BJJ Tournament, 11/2/25, news post from jmurrayathletics
As fall winds down and we head into the winter months, the local jiu-jitsu scene in upstate New York kicked off November with something special. Black Hole Jiu-Jitsu, based in Wappingers Falls, hosted their first-ever Wizard Invitational — and it was a hit.
A Local Event with Big Energy
Wappingers Falls, tucked in Dutchess County’s mix of farmland and historic mills, became a battleground for up-and-coming grapplers eager to test themselves. Nearly 60 matches unfolded across children’s, women’s, and two men’s divisions, culminating in a finals showdown between the men’s bracket winners. The format followed Quintet-style full rules (no heel hooks), emphasizing continuous action and submission attempts.
There were no overtimes — matches either ended in a finish or were called a draw. In the case of a draw between teams, lineups would reset, ensuring every competitor had a fair chance at victory without stalling, clock management, or point-chasing. The focus was purely on aggressive, submission-oriented jiu-jitsu, which made for exciting viewing from start to finish.
Professionalism Across the Board
For a first-time event, Wizard Invitational felt anything but amateur. The venue was easy to find with convenient parking, and the layout gave both spectators and competitors plenty of space. The gym itself was clean, professional, and perfectly suited for competition.
From the start, the day ran smoothly. The event featured live streaming with commentary, a professional referee, and non-stop action — no downtime between matches. Energy stayed high throughout, but so did sportsmanship. Every competitor fought hard while showing the kind of mutual respect that defines jiu-jitsu culture.
The stakes were real too: the finals winners walked away with cash prizes, adding an extra layer of motivation to every match.
Representing Teams and Local Support
Several respected programs were represented, including Renzo Gracie Warwick, SUNY Oswego BJJ, SUNY Binghamton BJJ, Dark Art Jiu-Jitsu, Mercury Jiu-Jitsu, SUNY Cortland BJJ and, of course, Black Hole Jiu-Jitsu as the host.
The vendor area added another highlight, most notably Team Takeover, led by owner Andre. His team went above and beyond — producing 100 custom rash guards for every competitor, each featuring both the team logos and event branding, all designed and delivered in just two weeks. On top of that, they created the official title belts for the event, adding a professional touch to the competition’s presentation. Team Takeover also printed event T-shirts on-site, taking custom orders throughout the day and keeping the energy buzzing around the merch area.
Final Results and Standout Performances
In the end, these were the victors of each bracket;
- Children’s Division: Renzo Gracie Warwick
- Women’s Division: Renzo Gracie Warwick
- Men’s Division: Black Hole Jiu Jitsu
The men’s final bracket was a showcase of submission-heavy jiu-jitsu, with four out of five matches ending by submission — an impressive display of skill and finishing instinct from both sides.
Despite nearly 60 matches, the event moved efficiently, wrapping up by 4 PM with no major injuries and plenty of smiles. Every athlete got mat time, and every spectator left entertained. For its first outing, Wizard Invitational set a strong standard for what local tournaments can be.
The organizers have already confirmed the next Wizard Invitational for early next year, and if this debut was any indication, it’s an event worth marking on your calendar.
If you missed the action, you can catch the full stream on YouTube to see how it all went down.
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