No-Gi And Gi (BJJ) Divisions

NAGA tournaments have both no-gi and gi (BJJ) divisions for men, women, children and teens. No-gi divisions follow NAGA’s unique rules and point system. Gi divisions follow traditional BJJ rules and scoring (with some minor differences). The rules for NAGA no-gi and gi (BJJ) divisions can be found here.

Age, Weight, and Skill Levels

Listed below are the age categories. For each age category, weight classes and skill levels are listed. If you have any questions please visit our FAQ page, email [email protected], or call 860-537-3686.

Age Categories

• Children (13 years of age and under)
• Teens (14-17 years of age)
• Adult (18-29 years of age)
• Master (30-39 years of age)
• Director (40-49 years of age)
• Executive (50 years of age and older)

Children (13 & Under) Weight Classes

• 39.9 lbs. & under
• 40-49.9 lbs.
• 50-59.9 lbs.
• 60-69.9 lbs.
• 70-79.9 lbs.
• 80-89.9 lbs.
• 90-99.9 lbs.
• 100-109.9 lbs.
• 110-124.9 lbs.
• 125-139.9 lbs.
• 140-154.9 lbs.
• 155-169.9 lbs.
• 170 lbs. & over (may need to compete with teens)

Teen (14 – 17 Years Old) Weight Classes

• 99.9 lbs. & under
• 100-114.9 lbs.
• 115-129.9 lbs.
• 130-144.9 lbs.
• 145-159.9 lbs.
• 160-179.9 lbs.
• 180-199.9 lbs.
• 200 & over lbs.

Youth No-Gi and Gi Skill Levels (17 Years And Younger)

• Novice – 6 months & under of grappling experience (white belts only) – Children (13 & under) Novice is no submissions. Teen (14-17) Novice is with submissions.
• Beginner – 6 months to 1 year of grappling experience (no yellow, orange, or green belts for 13 & under) (no yellow, orange, green or blue belts for teens 14-17)
• Intermediate – 1 to 2 years of grappling experience (no orange or green belts for 13 & under) (no orange or green or blue belts for teens 14-17)
• Advanced – 2 to 3 years of grappling experience (no green belts for 13 & under) (no green or blue belts for teens 14-17)
• Expert – 3 years & over of grappling experience (no restrictions for 13 & under) (for teens, no purple belts, they must compete as an adult)

The belt levels referenced are based on the BJJ belt system. When choosing the experience of your child or teen, please consider numerous factors: how long they have trained, how often they train, their BJJ belt rank, how naturally talented they are in the sport, athleticism in other sports, and how they do against teammates. Challenge your children and have them compete at an appropriate skill level. NAGA has the right to alter a competitor’s division placement after the competitor interview at the tournament.

If a competitor has won the same skill level multiple times at NAGA (and to include the equivalent skill level at other tournaments), they may need to move up a skill level. Contact us if your competitor meets this criteria and you need assistance selecting their skill level.

Competitors cannot do two different skill levels i.e. No-Gi Beginner then Gi Intermediate.

   An outline of these changes can be found on our website HERE.  

Youth Notes

• Expert winners are awarded a championship belt. If multiple Expert divisions are won by a competitor, only one belt will be awarded.
• Only one belt or sword can be won per competitor. A medal will be awarded for any additional divisions that are won.
• Children (13 & under) Novice divisions do not allow submissions. Winners are determined by who is ahead in points (takedowns, position, guard passing, etc.) at the end of the match.
• Competitors can only compete in one skill level.
• Whenever possible, your child will be matched up with someone their same age or children within a year old (plus or minus), and in the same weight class. Please understand that under some circumstances they may have to compete with others slightly older or heavier. When checking in at the tournament, if a youth was moved outside of their division, they will be notified, and asked to approve the change.
• If there are 2 or more girls in a division, we will create a separate division for the girls. If not, the female competitor will be given the option to compete with the male competitors.
• A competitor must compete in at least one match to win an award. If no one is in your specific division, NAGA will work to get you into a division (different age, weight, or skill). NAGA makes every effort to create fair divisions based on the pool of competitors at this tournament.

Male Adult, Master, Director, Executive Weight Classes

• Flyweight – 129.9 lbs. & under
• Bantamweight – 130-139.9 lbs.
• Featherweight – 140-149.9 lbs.
• Lightweight – 150-159.9 lbs.
• Welterweight – 160-169.9 lbs.
• Middleweight – 170-179.9 lbs.
• Light-Heavyweight – 180-189.9 lbs.
• Cruiserweight – 190-199.9 lbs.
• Heavyweight – 200-224.9 lbs.
• Super-Heavyweight – 225-249.9 lbs.
• Ultra-Heavyweight – 250 lbs. & over

Female Adult, Master, Director, Executive Weight Classes

• Sub-atomic Weight – 99.9 lbs. & under
• Atomweight – 100-109.9 lbs.
• Strawweight – 110-119.9 lbs.
• Flyweight – 120-129.9 lbs.
• Bantamweight – 130-139.9 lbs.
• Featherweight – 140-149.9 lbs.
• Lightweight – 150-159.9 lbs.
• Welterweight – 160-169.9 lbs.
• Middleweight – 170-179.9 lbs.
• Light-Heavyweight – 180-189.9 lbs.
• Cruiserweight – 190-199.9 lbs.
• Heavyweight – 200 lbs. & over

Adult No-Gi Skill Levels (18 Years And Older)

• Novice – 6 months & under of grappling experience
• Beginner – 6 months to 2 years of grappling experience
• Intermediate – 2 to 5 years of grappling experience (if you are a BJJ blue belt, you must enter at least Intermediate)
• Expert – 5 years & over of grappling experience (if you are a BJJ purple, brown or black belt, you must enter Expert)

Adult Gi Skill Levels (18 Years And Older)

• White
• Blue
• Purple
• Brown
• Black

Adult Notes

• Blue belts must enter at least Intermediate No-Gi.
• Purple, brown, and black belts must enter Expert No-Gi.
• Expert winners are awarded a championship belt. If multiple Expert divisions are won by a competitor, only one belt will be awarded. If a competitor wins their Intermediate or Expert weight class, and the Absolute, the competitor will receive a second belt.
• Purple, brown, and black belts will be separated whenever there are two or more in a division.  Purple, brown, and black belt winners are awarded a championship belt.  If multiple divisions are won by a purple, brown or black belt competitor, only one belt will be awarded. If a competitor wins their blue, purple, brown, black weight class, and the Absolute, the competitor will receive a second belt.
• Competitors can only compete in one skill level and one weight class.
• Adult competitors can compete in a lower age category i.e. Master competes in Adult, Director competes in Master.
• Adult competitors can compete in multiple age groups, their actual age group, and a lower age group. For example, a 32-year-old Master can compete in Master and Adult divisions. This is considered two divisions, please register accordingly.

• A competitor must compete in at least one match to win an award. If no one is in your specific division, NAGA will place you into a different (age, weight, skill) division.  NAGA makes every effort to create fair divisions based on the pool of competitors at this tournament.