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The North American Grappling Association (NAGA) are the world’s largest mixed grappling tournaments with over 700,000 competitors worldwide. On Saturday, March 27, 2021, NAGA comes to the Southland Center in Lynwood, IL for the NAGA Chicago Grappling Championship. Come as an individual or as a team to compete. Event results will be found HERE post event.
LOCATION:
Southland Center
10 Southland Drive
Lynwood, IL 60411
COVID RELATED PROTOCOL
Information related to Covid-19 procedures will be posted here the week of the event based on the mandates in place at that time. Any information listed here will be the most accurate information about this event.
USING MULTIPLE SESSIONS
During Covid we have needed to use a tournament model based on having multiple sessions in order to meet mandated occupancy limits. The use of sessions allows competitors to have multiple family and friends come to the event to support them (though some venues do limit competitors to one spectator no matter what occupancy limits are in place). A schedule of sessions will be posted the week of the event once we know the number of competitors and the current occupancy limit (which very well might differ from what it was when the event was first planned). You will not be allowed entry into the venue until your session is up. You will have a designated check-in/weigh-in time when you can enter the venue. Once you are done competing we ask that you leave the venue. Once all matches are done in a session we will clear out the venue and then allow in the next session. Those who have family members that are in different session, no worries, we will make sure you are set to cheer them all on.
FAMILY RATES
We understand it can be expensive having multiple family members train and then compete. NAGA does offer some relief to families who have multiple family members compete in the same NAGA event. The discount only applies to competitors, not spectators. When registering a family, you will register each competitor then enter a coupon code at the payment screen. For 2 family members the discount is $20, 3 members is $40, 4 members $60, and so on.
FAMILY RATES ARE ONLY VALID FOR THE FOLLOWING: A parent paying for themselves and their minor child or children (under the age of 18), a parent paying for their minor children (under the age of 18).
In order to obtain a family discount you must call our office at 860.295.0403, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 9AM and 5PM EST. We will provide you the code. If you reach our voicemail please leave your name, number, the event you are registering for, and the number of family members competing. We will leave you a message with the code if we reach your voicemail.
In Smoothcomp, you need to register and pay for each competitor individually. Please enter the coupon code into only one registration. The code will cover the family discount.
COME JOIN OUR TEAM
Each year NAGA runs over 65 events a year across the world. We are always looking for new staff members to join the NAGA team. If you are interested in becoming a referee, ring coordinator, security, weigh-in, awards, or photographer email us at info@nagafighter.com. Please note that if you are working the event you will not be able to compete at that event.
GET YOUR GRAPPLING GEAR AT THE EVENT
NAGA is bringing a truckload of grappling gear (Board shorts, gi bags, rash guards, t-shirts, hats, gi hoodies, patches, skull caps, stickers, dog tags, etc.) in children and adults sizes, for males and females. Check out the huge selection of gear and apparel at the NAGA event.
REGISTRATION/BRACKETING USING SMOOTHCOMP
NAGA uses the Smoothcomp tournament management system for registration and bracketing. Smoothcomp is a tournament management system that allows you to register and pay for an event online. The system will generate brackets and at the event keep you updated on what time and which mat you will be competing, all in real time.
If you have competed in a Smoothcomp event in the past you can login to Smoothcomp with those login credentials and register for an event. If this is the first time you are using Smoothcomp you will need to create an account with them before you can register for an event. Brackets are posted on Friday night. It is possible that some competitors are not placed into a bracket. The reason for this is that we need to speak with you to before placing you into a division.
REGISTRATIONS ON EVENT DAY NOT ACCEPTED
All competitors need to be registered and paid by the end of Friday’s weigh-in session (see the schedule for time). Registrations are not accepted at the event on Saturday.
REGISTRATION PAGE
You can register for the tournament here: TOURNAMENT REGISTRATION PAGE.
REGISTRATION DEADLINES
Pre-Registration: Register by Friday, March 19, 2021
Late Registration: Register 3/20/21 through 3/24/21
Final Registration: Thursday & Friday (3/25 and 3/26/21) – No registrations or payments will be accepted on Saturday. Registration closes at the end of the Friday night weigh-in session.
PRE-REGISTRATION
Register early and save money. The registration fees are:
1 Division = $89
Each additional division is $20 (Adult Absolute is $25)
Spectators are $12 each. Children 8 and under are $5 and can only be purchased at the door.
LATE REGISTRATION
We understand that you may not be able to commit to competing until the week of the event. The registration fees are:
1 Division = $109
Each additional division is $20 (Adult Absolute is $25)
Spectators are $15 each. Children 8 and under are $5 and can only be purchased at the door.
FINAL REGISTRATION
For those who register Thursday or Friday (3/25 & 3/26/21) the registration fees are:
1 Division or 2 Divisions= $150
Spectators are $15 each. Children 8 and under are $5 and can only be purchased at the door.
You can register online on Thursday and Friday.
Registration will be shutdown Friday after the weigh-in session. No registrations or payments will be accepted on Saturday.
The amount you are charged is based on when you actually pay not when you entered your information into the system. If you entered your information during the pre-registration timeframe and selected to pay later, then paid during the final registration period, the final registration price is what you will be charged.
Cash or credit card (Visa, MasterCard, and Discover) are the only accepted forms of payment in person (spectators and merchandise).
CHILDREN & TEENS AGE GROUPS
When registering children and teen competitors they are initially placed into age groups that span a year (4-5, 6-7, 8-9, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15, 16-17 years of age). If the pool of competitors allows us to break them down further it is an option we will consider. The goal is to get children and teens more matches while keeping the brackets fair.
ASSISTANCE WITH REGISTRATION
If you are having issues setting up a Smoothcomp account, registering, need to change a weight class or academy, or any Smoothcomp related questions, visit the Smoothcomp knowledge base HERE. Many of your questions can be answered on this page. If further assistance is needed please contact NAGA via email info@nagafighter.com or call 860.295.0403. Contact NAGA for answers to any tournament specific questions (location, times, skill levels, etc).
REFUND/CREDIT POLICY
CREDITS – You can CANCEL and receive a full credit towards any future NAGA event for any reason. Competitors must cancel by 12:00 PM on the Friday before the event by logging into your Smoothcomp account and canceling your registration. This credit is valid up to 1 year from the date you cancel.
REFUNDS – As a general rule we do not issue refunds.
CHAMPIONSHIP BELTS AWARDED
NAGA awards championship belts to all Youth, Teen, Adult, Masters, Director, and Executive, Expert division champions, and purple, brown, and black belt champions (Limit 1 belt per competitor per tournament for division winners). Absolute Intermediate, Absolute Expert, Absolute Blue Belt, and Absolute Purple Belt winners are awarded belts. Absolute division winners will win a belt even if they win one in their weight class division. This award is unrivaled in quality and appearance.
SAMURAI SWORDS TO CHILDREN & TEENS WINNERS
NAGA awards samurai swords to all non-expert Youth & Teen division champions (limit 1 per competitor per tournament). Custom medals will be awarded to all 2nd & 3rd place winners.
CUSTOM MEDALS AWARDED
NAGA awards custom gold medals to non-expert adult division champions. Silver and bronze medals are awarded to all 2nd & 3rd place winners.
TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP BELTS AWARDS
NAGA awards awesome championship belts to the Youth & Teens Overall. Please make sure your team registers under the same affiliation. For more information on setting up your team/school/academy to be with the correct affiliation and to make sure you get all the points, please read this document NAGA Coaches Handout. Individual points that are earned towards a team championship are based on the skill level of the division and what place was taken. A breakdown of points awarded can be found here.
FREE GIFT FOR COMPETITORS
Every competitor at a NAGA tournament will receive a free gift. The item can be picked up at the tournament right next to weigh-ins.
FRIDAY NIGHT WEIGH-IN TIME AND LOCATION
You can weigh-in the night before the event. The Friday weigh-in takes place at the venue from 6-6:30 PM.
MANDATORY CHECK-IN TIMES
Please note that during times when Covid mandates are in place, the information mentioned in this section may not be valid. Updates to the schedule are posted the week of the event once the mandates in place at that time are known, and we know the attendance of the event.
In order to run the event efficiently it is extremely important that competitors are checked-in and weighed-in by the cutoff times listed below. Competitors who arrive after the listed cutoff time will not be allowed to compete and will be given a credit to compete in a future event. There are no exceptions.
Children and Teens (17 & under): On Saturday, competitors need to be checked-in by 9:00 AM and weighed-in by 9:30 AM. Any competitor who misses these times will not be allowed to compete at this event.
Adults (18 & over): Adult competitors need to be checked-in and weighed-in at least 90 minutes prior to their scheduled division start time. On Friday night the brackets will be posted. Your estimated start time will be listed at this time. Please note that the schedule is dynamic and constantly updating.
All competitors have the option to weigh-in on Friday but they must still be at the event at the check-in time listed above. Please check the event schedule for Friday’s weigh-in time.
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU GET TO THE EVENT
You will go to the NAGA front desk to collect your registration cards and any spectator passes you purchased. Next you will go to the weigh-in station. After weighing in, you will proceed to the Referee Interview table. The referee will make sure you are in the correct division and all information is correct, then will approve you (check you in) in Smoothcomp. You must speak with a referee after weighing in. If not, you will not be confirmed in the system and will be removed from any brackets you are entered. You will be able to check your estimated match start time and mat assignment by logging into your Smoothcomp account at the event. For instructions on how to do this, visit https://support.smoothcomp.com/article/90-find-out-your-dynamic-starting-time. Spectator tickets can be purchased at the front desk. Adding additional divisions on event day may be possible (example: someone decides they want to now do Gi in addition to No-Gi). Please inquire at the NAGA front desk at the event.
WEIGH-IN FRIDAY or SATURDAY (you do not weigh-in wearing your Gi)
The weigh-ins will take place at the event venue. Adults, please bring a photo ID to weigh-in. If you have any questions contact NAGA at 860-295-0403 or info@nagafighter.com.
FRIDAY (3/26/21) – Weigh-In & Registration Option – The Friday weigh-in will be open to all competitors regardless if you pre-registered or not. The weigh-ins are from 6:00 PM to 6:30 PM.
SATURDAY (3/27/21) – Check-In & Weigh-In – Weigh-ins open at 8:00 AM. Children & Teens must be checked-in by 9:00 AM and weighed-in by 9:30 AM. Brackets will be posted Friday night on Smoothcomp. Here you can see the estimated division start times. Adults, please check-in and weigh-in at least 90 minutes prior to your scheduled division start time which can be found when the brackets are released.
Please note that during the time when Covid mandates are in place, the Saturday information may likely change. We will post the update the week of the event once the latest mandates are known.
SATURDAY DIVISION SCHEDULE (Doors open 8:00 AM)
The times listed below are the estimated division start times. Please check nagafighter.com (prior to the event) and the Smoothcomp website (day of the event) for the latest updates on division start times. Please note the new adult division order and the addition of absolute divisions. There are NO REFUNDS given to those who have to leave early.
CHILDREN & TEENS (17 years & under) NO-GI & GI COMPETITION
– All Children/Teens must be checked-in by 9:00 AM and weighed in by 9:30 AM
– Children/Teen final bracketing takes place from 9:30 to 10:30 AM. Competitors and a coach or parent must be present and at their assigned ring in case a bracketing issue needs to be resolved.
– Children/Teens No-Gi Divisions – Estimated Start Time is 10:45 AM
– Children/Teens Gi Divisions – Check the Smoothcomp website that day for division start times.
ADULT NO-GI & GI ORDER OF DIVISIONS
– Women Divisions (No-Gi goes first followed by Gi)
– Men’s, Master’s, Director’s & Executive No-Gi Intermediate
– Men’s, Master’s, Director’s & Executive No-Gi Expert
– Men’s, Master’s, Director’s & Executive No-Gi Novice
– Men’s, Master’s, Director’s & Executive No-Gi Beginner
– Men’s, Master’s, Director’s & Executive No-Gi Absolute Intermediate and Expert
– Men’s, Master’s, Director’s & Executive No-Gi Absolute Novice/Beginner
– Men’s, Master’s, Director’s & Executive Blue Belt Gi
– Men’s, Master’s, Director’s & Executive Purple, Brown, Black Belt Gi
– Men’s, Master’s, Director’s & Executive White Belt Gi
– Men’s, Master’s, Director’s & Executive Absolute Gi Divisions
MULTIPLE DIVISIONS FOR CHILDREN & TEENS
Children and teen competitors who want to compete in an additional higher weight class or older age group division can do so for $20 per division. You can add one additional weight class or age group per division type (no-gi or gi) for a total of 4 divisions. Competitors cannot do multiple skill levels. As an example: a beginner 11 year old 85 pound competitor could add the 90-99.9 weight class OR the 12-13 year old category (not both). They cannot add the intermediate skill level. They can do this for no-gi, gi, or both. It is $20 for each division added. If they wanted to go up in weight for no-gi and up in age for gi (or vice-versa) we can accommodate that request. If you would like to add an additional division (or two), call the office at 860-295-0403 or email info@nagafighter.com. The following information is required in order to add the extra division(s): which tournament, the competitor’s name, up age or up weight, no-gi/gi/both, payment method (credit card, PayPal, Stripe), and the email address (only needed if you are calling in). NAGA will email you an invoice with a link to pay for the extra divisions. Once payment is made we will copy the competitor into the additional division(s).
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 info@nagafighter.com, or call 860-295-0403.
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.
100-179.9 lbs.
Children 180 lbs. and heavier must compete in the Teen category.
TEEN (14 – 17 years old) WEIGHT CLASSES
99.9 lbs. & under
100-109.9 lbs.
110-119.9 lbs.
120-129.9 lbs.
130-139.9 lbs.
140-149.9 lbs.
150-159.9 lbs.
160-179.9 lbs.
180-199.9 lbs.
200 & over lbs.
CHILDREN & TEEN NO-GI and GI SKILL LEVELS (17 years and younger)
NOVICE – 6 months & under of grappling experience
BEGINNER – 6 months to 1 year of grappling experience
INTERMEDIATE – 1 to 2 years of grappling experience
ADVANCED – 2 to 3 years of grappling experience
EXPERT – 3 years & over of grappling experience
Children & Teen 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.
– Competitors can only compete in one skill level and one weight class.
– Whenever possible, your child will be matched up with someone their same age or children within a year old (plus or minus). Please understand that under some circumstances they may have to compete with others slightly older. A coach or parent will be contacted to get approval.
– 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 specified division, NAGA will combine the next closest weight and/or age category. NAGA makes every effort to create fair divisions based on the pool of competitors at this event.
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 – 225-149.9 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
EXPERT – 5 years & over of grappling experience
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.
– 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.
– 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.
– Whenever possible, your child will be matched up with someone their same age or children within a year old (plus or minus). Please understand that under some circumstances they may have to compete with others slightly older. A coach or parent will be contacted to get approval.
– A competitor must compete in at least one match to win an award. If no one is in your specified division, NAGA will combine the next closest weight and/or age category. NAGA makes every effort to create fair divisions based on the pool of competitors at this event.
VENUE ADDRESS:
Southland Center
10 Southland Drive
Lynwood, IL 60411
HOTEL:
We suggest using a hotel booking website such as Hotels.com to find a hotel within your price range and one that has the amenities you desire. If we secure a discounted hotel rate we will post the information on this page.
NAGA World Headquarters
400 Halls Hill Road
Colchester, CT 06415
Call: 860-537-3686
Email: info@nagafighter.com
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