Representing one of the first steps toward internationalisation of Brazilian jiu-jitsu, the Pan-American Championship has been held annually since 1995. While the first event garnered only 250 athletes, the event has grown every year with the 2022 edition in Florida reporting over 4,600 jiu-jitsu athletes registered to compete.[2]
The Pan Championship is one of the four IBJJF Grand Slam events, which include European Championship, Brasileiro and Mundials.[3] The IBJJF gives tournaments weighting which helps calculate the number of points an athlete can win via their participation. For the 2017/2018 IBJJF calendar, the Pan American Championship had a weighting of 4 alongside the European Championship, making it second in importance only to the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship, which has a weighting of 7.[4]
Pan American Champions in Men's Brazilian Jiu Jitsu by Year and Weight