The WVGO/WEST VIRGINIA GAMES brings multiple gi and no gi grappling event's to WV, OH, VA, and many of the surrounding states each year.
The WVGO/WEST VIRGINIA GAMES brings multiple gi and no gi grappling event's to WV, OH, VA, and many of the surrounding states each year.
The WVGO, founded by Butch Hiles, was the first to bring large scale Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and submission grappling events to WV in 2003. Mr Hiles also fought to make sure that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu remained a legal sport after the WV Athletic Commission briefly made it illegal in 2004. In 2005 the WVGO held the first tournament, once again, after a short court battle.
The WVGO continues to thrive in WV and holds the annual state championships called, "The WV Games" as well as many other tournaments throughout the year.
The WV Games is the largest collection of sanctioned sports and sporting events in the entire state. The WV Games started in 2009, replacing a popular event known as the Regatta, and has since become the featured event for the community and out of state visitors every Labor Day weekend since then.
The majority of the sporting events have taken place on Magic Island, which is located on the Kanawha river in downtown Charleston. However, many other near-by locations will be hosting events and the full schedule, with locations, is released a few months in advance each year.
Past events have included: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, submission wrestling, volleyball, the Charleston Distance Run, 5K, basketball, beach wrestling, cornhole, crossfit, baseball, family funzone, and much more. However, each year many more events are proposed and added. In fact, all event promoters are welcome to contact the event coordinator, Butch Hiles, if they are interested in hosting their event during this time. The WV Games is always looking to feature a wide variety of events that would draw interest from all walks of life.
The WV Games is an important event for the state of West Virginia, because many competitors from both in and out of the state compete and participate. Because of the large influx of out of state participants and spectators, there is a very large, and positive, economic impact for our state and city. Last years event brought many more people to the surrounding hotels and establishments that would not have otherwise been there.
“We attracted thousands of athletes and spectators at last years event and obviously we hope to continue to exceed that number each and every year. I can only see this event getting bigger and bigger as word of mouth gets out and it’s an absolute pleasure to see people from our state, as well as all of the surrounding states, coming together to participate in something so positive and important as physical fitness and friendly competition,” exclaimed Hiles.
The Charleston Convention and Visitors Bureau is assisting with services on this event and for an up-to-date calendar of upcoming events in the city of Charleston, as well as the WV Games, please look at www.charlestonwv.com
For more information on the WVGO and the WV Games, including sponsorship, or hosting an additional event, please contact:
Butch Hiles at 304-549-9370 or via email at [email protected]
and visit www.wvgrapplingopen.com or www.thewvgames.com
gi & no gi grappling for everyone!
