John Danaher, the renowned coach of New Wave Jiu-Jitsu, has potentially unveiled his team’s lineup for the highly anticipated Craig Jones Invitational 2 (CJI 2). With months still to go before the event, many competitors from other teams remain unconfirmed, but New Wave has now joined Team Misfits Australasia in revealing the majority of their roster. Danaher shared this exciting update during a recent interview with FloGrappling, narrowing down the list of open spots for the competition as anticipation builds.
The CJI format requires each team to field five athletes, with one representative in each of the five ADCC weight classes. While this structure ensures a diverse lineup, it also presents challenges in selecting athletes at certain weights. Danaher explained that injuries and illnesses have simplified some of these decisions for New Wave. Gordon Ryan, widely regarded as one of the greatest grapplers of all time, is unable to compete due to ongoing health issues. Similarly, Nicholas Meregali, another standout heavyweight, is sidelined after undergoing two shoulder surgeries. These absences left Danaher with clear choices for the heavyweight categories: Dan Manasoiu will represent New Wave in the over 99kg division, while Luke Griffith will compete at under 99kg.
For the middleweight and lightweight categories, Danaher expressed confidence in his selections. Giancarlo Bodoni, an ADCC world champion, has been chosen for the under 88kg division. Meanwhile, Dorian Olivarez will step in at under 66kg, with Danaher praising his unique style as particularly well-suited to the CJI format. The final spot on the team, under 77kg, remains undecided. With several strong contenders—Oliver Taza, Davis Asare, Izaak Michell, Jason Nolf, and potentially a wildcard draft pick—Danaher revealed that an internal trial at their gym would determine who earns this coveted position.
New Wave’s lineup is shaping up to be one of the strongest in the competition. Featuring their only ADCC world champion outside of Gordon Ryan and two other male ADCC medalists from 2024, this team is expected to be a formidable force at CJI 2. The internal trials for the final spot promise to add another layer of excitement as fans eagerly await the announcement of New Wave’s complete roster.
CJI 2 New Wave Jiu-Jitsu Team Lineup
-
Coach: John Danaher
-
-66kg: Dorian Olivarez
-
-77kg: Internal Trials winner or Wildcard
-
-88kg: Giancarlo Bodoni
-
-99kg: Luke Griffith
-
+99kg: Dan Manasoiu
Gordon Ryan’s Absence and Meregali’s Injury: A Disappointing Blow
While it comes as no surprise that Gordon Ryan will not be competing at CJI 2 due to his well-documented health struggles and animosity with CJI promotor Craig Jones, his absence is still a significant loss for fans eagerly awaiting his return to competition. However, what may be even more disappointing is that Nicholas Meregali will also miss the event. Meregali’s ongoing recovery from two shoulder surgeries has ruled him out of contention, leaving a gap in what could have been an even more dominant New Wave lineup. Both athletes are key figures in modern grappling and their absence will undoubtedly be felt at CJI 2. Nonetheless, their teammates are ready to rise to the occasion and uphold New Wave’s reputation on this prestigious stage.