Last weekend a grappling tournament called Global Grappling was held in Hungary. BJJ Eastern Europe were sent a picture of one of the competitors who stepped on the mat with a large patch which had the Celtic cross (can be seen as a symbol of Fascism) and the inscription “White Pride” which left no doubt of the meaning of the patch. (See picture above). We decided to publish the picture on our Facebook page and over 150 messages from all over the world either expressed revolt or some kind of support or understanding.

We were also contacted by the 3 main BJJ academies of Hungary (Carlson Gracie, Gracie Barra and Rickson Gracie Pecs) who all expressed their disapproval and revolt.

The organizer of the tournament wrote this letter of apology and decided to abn the individual in question from all further tournaments:

“Dear friends!

While I am writing this letter as usual, on behalf of the Global Grappling team, I use also the first person singular, indicating that I can take responsibility.

On Saturday, on our tournament, one of the contestants went to the tatami with

a fascist symbol on the back of his gi. Although I have seen, we have seen, did not realize the significance of this thing.

(Meanwhile I had conversation with his teamleader. He said he did not recogize it either…).

However, subsequently the behavior of this student, it is clear, that he is consious of the

ideas expressed (and this way: advertised) by himself, using this symbol. Therefore I am barring him from every competition of us in the future, and I apologize!

I’ll do it even all the more, becouse I totally understand, somes are outraged with this incident and I do not want the Global Grappling tournament to give space for things not belong to precious sport.

Exactly for such cases, the competition is not open, it is invitational. We reserve te right to some registration to not accept.

Although there is no chance the t-shirts, tattoos, gis, rashguards to be previously interpreted and enabled by us, I would ask if anyone recognizes a symbol of nature offensive, let us know immediately, so that we can take action in time!

thank you for your attention, and please accept my honest apology!

László Berkes”