With just a matter of weeks left until the return of Polaris Squads, there have been several changes to the lineups for both Team UK and Ireland, and Team USA. The only change to Team UK and Ireland has come in the under 75kg section where Polaris triple champion Ashley Williams has unfortunately ad to withdraw, but he has now been replaced by another British Polaris veteran in Jed Hue. The same weight bracket in Team USA has had both Edwin Najmi and one the youngest representative on either team, Kade Ruotolo withdraw.
They first replacement there is one of the most exciting grapplers in the States and the younger brother of another Team USA representative, 10th Planet’s Geo Martinez. Joining him will be Adam Benayoun, one of Ryan Hall’s most successful black belts who will no doubt be eager to put on a great show as he gears up for the upcoming ADCC trials. The 95kg section of Team USA has also had two competitors forced to withdraw from the event as both William Tackett and Team Captain JT Torres will no longer be attending. Instead, Roberto Jimenez has stepped up and he will now be the representative for the next generation of elite Jiu-Jitsu talent in America, while ATOS black belt and IBJJF no gi Pan-Ams medalist Mike Perez will also be joining in.
The full lineup for both teams is now as follows:
Team UK and Ireland
Under 75kg
Jed Hue
Ross Nicholls
Tom Halpin
Darragh O Connail (Captain)
Under 95kg
Bradley Hill
Dan Strauss
Kieran Davern
Ben Dyson
Team USA
Under 75kg
Geo Martinez (Co-Captain)
PJ Barch
Nick Ronan
Adam Benayoun
Under 95kg
Roberto Jimenez
Mike Perez
Richie Martinez (Co-Captain)
Jon Blank
