Empire Grappling: Yorkshire Winter Open 2027
Barnsley, United Kingdom
Description
YORKSHIRE WINTER OPEN: EVENT TERMS AND CONDITIONS
By registering for this event, you confirm that you have read, understood and accepted these terms and conditions, together with the rules, policies and event guidelines published on the Smoothcomp event page.
Where an athlete is under 18, their parent or legal guardian must complete the registration and accept these terms on their behalf.
Athletes, parents, guardians, coaches and spectators are responsible for reading the information relevant to them and checking Smoothcomp regularly for updates.
EVENT DETAILS
| ITEM | INFORMATION |
| Event | Yorkshire Winter Open |
| Date | 16th January 2027 |
| Venue | Barnsley Metrodome, Queens Ground, Queens Road, Barnsley, S71 1AN |
| Accessibility | Contact us before the event if an athlete, coach or spectator requires reasonable accessibility or additional support arrangements. |
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EVENT SCHEDULE (APPROX.)
| ACTIVITY | TIME |
| Doors Open | 8:00am |
| Spectator Entry | 8:00am |
| Kids and Juvenile Weigh-Ins Begin | 8:00am |
| Adult and Master Weigh-Ins Begin | 9:00am |
| Kids and Juvenile Matches Begin | 9:00am |
| Adult and Master Matches Begin | TBC |
All event-day times are approximate and may change depending on attendance and operational requirements.
Adult and Master start times will be confirmed when brackets and timings are released. Athletes must check Smoothcomp regularly and follow the live running order on event day.
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REGISTRATION
This is an online, pre-registration-only event. Late registrations and event-day registrations will not be accepted.
| REGISTRATION PERIOD | CLOSES |
| Early Bird | 24th October 2026 |
| Normal | 28th November 2026 |
| Late | 7th January 2027 |
| IMPORTANT INFORMATION | REQUIREMENT |
| Period Capacity | Each registration period is capped at 250 athletes. |
| Early Capacity | If a period reaches capacity early, the next registration period may open automatically. |
| Overall Capacity | Registration may close before the advertised deadline if the venue’s overall capacity is reached. |
| Correct Entry | Athletes must register in the correct age, weight and experience category. |
| Accurate Details | Belt, training, Judo, MMA, academy, affiliation and merge information must be complete and accurate. |
| Responsibility | Athletes, parents and guardians must check all registration details before the amendments deadline. |
Providing inaccurate information or withholding relevant experience may result in the athlete being moved to the correct category or disqualified without a refund or credit.
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SPECIAL OFFER FOR EXPERIENCED ATHLETES
| ELIGIBILITY | DISCOUNT |
| BJJ Brown Belt | 50% off |
| BJJ Black Belt | 50% off |
| Professional MMA Fighter with Three or More Professional Fights | 50% off |
| CONDITION | POLICY |
| Previous Support | The athlete must have previously supported or competed at an Empire Grappling event. |
| Professional Record | Professional MMA fighters must have completed at least three professional fights. |
| Availability | A limited number of discounted places are available. |
| Approval | All applications remain subject to approval by Empire Grappling. |
| Automatic Application | The discount is not applied automatically through Smoothcomp. |
| Retroactive Discounts | The discount cannot be applied after payment has been completed. |
| Transfer | An approved discount cannot be transferred to another athlete. |
To apply, email info@empiregrapplingevents.com before making payment and provide:
- The name of the event.
- A link to your public Smoothcomp profile confirming your belt rank, where applicable.
- A link to your Tapology profile confirming at least three professional MMA fights, where applicable.
Meeting the eligibility requirements does not guarantee that a discounted place will remain available.
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AMENDMENTS
| ACTION | DEADLINE | METHOD |
| Registration Changes | 9th January 2027 at 10:00pm | Smoothcomp only |
Athletes, parents and guardians must check the athlete’s age, weight, experience, belt, divisions, academy, affiliation and merge answers before the deadline.
No registration changes can be made after the amendments deadline or on event day.
🎥 Tutorial: How to Amend Your Registration
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MATCHMAKING AND MERGES
| DETAIL | POLICY |
| Matchmaking Review | We consider age, weight, experience, registration information and merge permissions when reviewing divisions. |
| Answering Yes | Gives us permission to consider the selected merge option but does not guarantee a match. |
| Answering No | The athlete will remain in their registered category, even if this means that an opponent cannot be provided. |
| Final Approval | Every proposed merge remains subject to approval by Empire Grappling. |
| Unmatched Athlete | If we cannot provide a suitable opponent, the athlete will receive a full refund for the affected division. |
| Other Entries | Any other active entries will remain unaffected. |
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WEIGH-INS
| DETAIL | REQUIREMENT |
| Kids and Juvenile Opening | 8:00am |
| Adult and Master Opening | 9:00am |
| Location | Weigh-ins take place at the venue on event day only. |
| Clothing | Athletes weigh in without the Gi. |
| Coverage | One weigh-in covers every division entered by the athlete. |
| Weight Allowance | There is no weight allowance. |
| Latest Weigh-In | Athletes must be signed in and weighed in no later than 60 minutes before their division start time. |
| Failure | Missing weight or failing to weigh in on time will result in disqualification from the affected divisions. |
| Refund or Credit | No refund or credit is available following a missed weight or late weigh-in disqualification. |
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IDENTIFICATION CHECKS
Identification checks support athlete safety, fair competition and accurate division placement.
| AGE GROUP | ACCEPTED IDENTIFICATION |
| Adults: 18+ | Driving licence, passport or another government-issued photo ID. |
| Under 18s | Passport or birth certificate. |
Random identification checks may be conducted at this event. Identification verification is expected to become mandatory for all athletes during check-in by the end of 2027.
⚠️ Failure to provide valid identification when requested may result in disqualification without a refund or credit.
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COMPETITION FORMAT
| ITEM | INFORMATION |
| Rules | Matches follow IBJJF rules together with Empire Grappling’s published amendments and competition formats. |
| Standard Divisions | We aim to provide two matches in each standard Gi and No-Gi weight division. |
| Match Guarantee | Two matches cannot be guaranteed where injuries, withdrawals, no-shows or an opponent’s inability to continue prevent this. |
| Two-Athlete Division | A two-athlete division will normally use a best-of-three format. The first athlete to win two matches wins the division. |
| Large Divisions | Divisions containing nine or more athletes will award two bronze medals. |
| Absolute Divisions | Absolutes use a straight-knockout format, meaning an athlete may be eliminated after one match. |
| Absolute Minimum | Each separate Gi and No-Gi Absolute requires at least eight athletes after approved age-category merges have been completed. |
| Fees | Published registration prices include applicable taxes and administration charges. |
Registering does not guarantee a particular number of matches, opponent, bracket size or division format.
If an Absolute is cancelled because it does not meet the eight-athlete minimum, the athlete will receive a refund for the affected Absolute entry only. Other active entries will remain unaffected.
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REFEREE DECISIONS AND SAFETY
| AREA | POLICY |
| Athlete Safety | Athlete safety and fair competition take priority over the result of a match. |
| Beginner and Novice Athletes | A referee may explain and correct an infringement where it is safe and appropriate to do so. |
| Disqualification | Disqualification remains necessary where an infringement is serious, intentional, dangerous, repeated or cannot be safely corrected. |
| Kids and Juvenile Submissions | A referee may stop a match and award a submission when they believe it is securely applied and continuing would risk injury. |
| Tap Not Required | The referee does not have to wait for a Kids or Juvenile athlete to tap, verbally submit or show visible distress. |
| Final Decision | Referee decisions relating to safety, scoring, submissions, disqualification and match outcomes are final. |
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MEDICAL, INJURY AND HYGIENE
| AREA | POLICY |
| Fitness to Compete | Athletes must not compete if they are injured, medically unfit or affected by a condition that could place themselves or another person at risk. |
| Vomiting or Illness | If an athlete vomits or becomes physically unwell during the event, the Head Referee and onsite medical team must be notified immediately. This applies to athletes of every age. The athlete must not compete again unless assessed and cleared to continue by the medical team. |
| Skin Conditions | Athletes with a contagious skin condition, infection or uncovered wound must not compete. |
| Bleeding | A match may be paused for bleeding. The referee or medical team may end the match if the bleeding cannot be controlled safely. |
| Concussion or Serious Injury | An athlete may be immediately removed from competition where a concussion or serious injury is suspected. |
| Medical Authority | The decision of the authorised medical team concerning whether an athlete can continue competing is final. |
| Medical Withdrawal | An injury or medical withdrawal on event day does not create an automatic entitlement to a refund or credit. |
| Hygiene | Athletes must wear clean competition clothing, maintain appropriate personal hygiene and securely cover any permitted minor wound. |
Athletes should obtain appropriate medical advice before competing if they have any doubt about their fitness or ability to participate safely.
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REFUND AND CREDIT POLICY
Refund and credit eligibility is determined by when a full withdrawal is completed through Smoothcomp or, for a partial withdrawal, when we receive the complete request.
| WITHDRAWAL TIME | ENTITLEMENT | METHOD |
| 28 days or more before the event | 100% refund | Processed through Smoothcomp |
| From 27 days before the event until the amendments deadline closes | 100% coupon credit | Issued through Smoothcomp |
| After the amendments deadline closes until 24 hours after brackets are released | 50% coupon credit | Issued through Smoothcomp |
| After the 50% credit deadline | No refund or credit | Not applicable |
A 100% refund includes the complete monetary payment made through Smoothcomp, including applicable booking and processing fees.
Event-Specific Deadlines
| DEADLINE TYPE | DATE OR TIME |
| 100% Refund Deadline | 19th December 2026 |
| 100% Credit Deadline | 9th January 2027 at 10:00pm |
| 50% Credit Deadline | 24 hours after the brackets are released |
The 50% credit window begins immediately after the amendments deadline closes.
After the final credit deadline, voluntary withdrawals are not eligible for a refund or credit under any circumstances, including injury, illness, travel disruption or a change in personal circumstances.
Withdrawal Requirements
| WITHDRAWAL TYPE | REQUIREMENT |
| Full Registration | Must be withdrawn through Smoothcomp. Sending us a message does not automatically cancel the registration. |
| One Division Only | Contact us before the applicable deadline. Do not cancel the full registration through Smoothcomp. |
| Partial Processing | Any refund or credit due for a partial withdrawal will be processed manually after the event. |
| Used Coupon | A previously redeemed coupon will not be reissued following a voluntary withdrawal. |
| Unmatched Athlete | Coupon value relating to an unmatched division will be manually reissued by our team. |
| Non-Transferable | Registrations and coupon credits cannot be transferred to another athlete. |
🎥 Tutorial: How to Withdraw Through Smoothcomp
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COUPON CREDITS
| DETAIL | POLICY |
| Validity | Coupon credits are valid for 24 months from the date of issue. |
| Usage | Each coupon can only be used once. |
| Unused Value | Any coupon value not used during the transaction is lost. |
| Withdrawal After Use | If a coupon is used and the athlete later withdraws voluntarily, the coupon and any unused value will not be reissued. |
| Replacement | Used, expired, transferred, deleted or misplaced coupons will not be replaced. |
⚠️ Check the total registration cost before applying a coupon. Any unused balance will be lost after the transaction.
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BRACKETS, TIMINGS AND ATHLETE REPORTING
| ITEM | REQUIREMENT |
| Brackets Released | 12th January 2027 |
| Published Information | Brackets, division start times and estimated match times will be published on Smoothcomp. |
| Live Running Order | The live order will be displayed on venue screens and through Smoothcomp where available. |
| Schedule Changes | Brackets and timings may change as withdrawals and necessary adjustments are processed. |
| Courtesy Calls | Courtesy announcements may be made, but athletes remain responsible for following their division and match times. |
| Venue Arrival | Athletes should arrive between 60 and 90 minutes before their division start time. |
| Required Presence | Athletes must be weighed in and present no later than 60 minutes before their division start time. |
| Bullpen or Pen Reporting | Athletes must report to the designated pen approximately 30 minutes before their expected match time. |
| Final Withdrawal | Athletes may withdraw until 15th January 2027 to help avoid an unnecessary no-show or competition-record impact. |
| Financial Entitlement | No refund or credit is available at the final withdrawal stage. |
A match may take place earlier than its original estimate. Missing a match because the athlete was not present, ready or following the live order may result in disqualification without a refund or credit.
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COMPLAINTS, RESULTS AND CORRECTIONS
| TYPE OF ISSUE | PROCESS |
| Referee or Scoring Decision | Referee decisions made during a match are final and will not be overturned using spectator or privately recorded footage. |
| Incorrect Recorded Result | Report an incorrectly entered result to the table or Event Manager as soon as possible and before the athlete’s next match wherever possible. |
| Bracket or Athlete Error | Report an incorrect athlete, division or bracket placement immediately. Corrections may be unavailable once the affected matches have taken place. |
| Team-Point Error | Academy and affiliation errors caused by incorrect registration information may not be corrected after the amendments deadline. |
| Conduct Complaint | Report abusive, threatening or inappropriate conduct to the Event Manager or another senior member of staff. |
| Safeguarding Concern | Safeguarding concerns should be reported privately and immediately to an appropriate member of the Empire Grappling team. |
| Post-Event Contact | Where an issue cannot be resolved at the venue, email us with the athlete’s name, event, division and relevant details. |
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SPECTATORS
| DETAIL | INFORMATION |
| Adult Admission | £10 |
| Children Under 12 | Free |
| Parents and Guardians | Parents and guardians must pay the applicable spectator charge. |
| Payment | Cash and card payments are accepted, subject to venue facilities. |
| Entry Point | Spectator admission and wristbands are managed at reception. |
| Access | Spectator admission does not provide coach, competition-area or restricted-area access. |
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VENUE SAFETY AND SUPERVISION
| REQUIREMENT | POLICY |
| Restricted Areas | Only authorised athletes, coaches and staff may enter competition, medical, staff and other restricted areas. |
| Children | Parents and guardians remain responsible for supervising children outside their active competition period. |
| Venue Instructions | Everyone must follow reasonable instructions given by Empire Grappling staff, venue personnel, security and medical staff. |
| Emergency Procedures | During an emergency or evacuation, attendees must follow venue instructions and proceed to the designated assembly area. |
| Personal Property | Personal belongings remain the responsibility of the attendee. |
| Venue Rules | All attendees must comply with the venue’s safety, access and behaviour requirements. |
| Assistance Animals | Assistance animals are permitted subject to venue requirements. Other animals are not permitted without prior approval. |
Accessibility and Additional Requirements
| DETAIL | INFORMATION |
| Advance Contact | Contact us before the event and explain the support or access arrangement required. |
| Reasonable Support | We will work with the venue to accommodate reasonable requests wherever practical. |
| Event-Day Requests | Requests made on event day may be more difficult to accommodate and cannot always be guaranteed. |
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MEDALS AND TEAM AWARDS
| AWARD AREA | POLICY |
| Medals | Medals are presented once the division is complete. All medallists must be present for the presentation. |
| Academy Awards | Calculated using the exact academy selected in Smoothcomp. |
| Affiliation Awards | Calculated using the wider affiliation information where the award applies. |
| Team Information | Academy and affiliation information must be corrected before the amendments deadline. |
| Number One Athlete | This award will only be presented where the results provide a clear winner. |
Team points may not be reassigned after the amendments deadline because an athlete selected the wrong academy or affiliation.
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NO REFUND OR CREDIT CIRCUMSTANCES
| CIRCUMSTANCE | OUTCOME |
| Missed Weight | No refund or credit. |
| Late Weigh-In | No refund or credit. |
| Incorrect Registration | No refund or credit where inaccurate information results in disqualification. |
| Prohibited Clothing or Equipment | No refund or credit where the published requirements were not met. |
| Failure to Report | No refund or credit where an athlete was not ready when called. |
| Conduct Disqualification | No refund or credit where an athlete is disqualified or removed for misconduct. |
| Event-Day No-Show | No refund or credit. |
| Withdrawal After Final Deadline | No refund or credit, regardless of the reason. |
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CODE OF CONDUCT
| CONDUCT | POSSIBLE ENFORCEMENT |
| Abuse, Threats or Continued Disrespect | Immediate removal from the competition area or venue. |
| Aggressive or Disruptive Conduct | Disqualification, removal and forfeiture of fees. |
| Team or Individual Misconduct | Restrictions or bans from future Empire Grappling events. |
| Serious Incidents | Venue security or the relevant authorities may be contacted. |
| Failure to Follow Staff Instructions | Access may be restricted or the person may be removed from the venue. |
Athletes, coaches, parents, guardians and spectators must behave respectfully towards competitors, referees, staff, venue personnel and other attendees.
We operate a zero-tolerance approach to abuse, threats, intimidation and aggressive behaviour.
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ASSUMPTION OF RISK, MEDICAL CONSENT AND LIABILITY
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, submission grappling and associated competition activities involve physical contact and inherent risks. These risks may include falls, collisions, joint injuries, choking, unconsciousness, illness, permanent injury and, in exceptional circumstances, death.
By registering and participating, the athlete, or their parent or legal guardian where the athlete is under 18, confirms that:
| CONFIRMATION | AGREEMENT |
| Acceptance of Risk | They understand and voluntarily accept the inherent risks associated with participation. |
| Fitness to Compete | The athlete is physically and medically capable of participating safely. |
| Medical Information | Relevant medical conditions, injuries or restrictions will be disclosed where necessary for safe participation. |
| Instructions | The athlete will follow instructions given by referees, medical personnel, event staff and venue staff. |
| Medical Decisions | Participation will stop where a referee or authorised medical professional considers this necessary. |
| Emergency Treatment | Qualified medical personnel may provide emergency assessment or treatment where reasonably necessary. |
| Associated Costs | The athlete is responsible for personal medical, travel and insurance arrangements and any costs not otherwise covered. |
To the fullest extent permitted by law, Empire Grappling Events Ltd, the venue, event staff, contractors and sponsors will not be responsible for loss, damage or injury arising from the inherent and accepted risks of participation or circumstances outside their reasonable control.
These terms do not affect any legal rights or protections that cannot be restricted under applicable law.
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PHOTOGRAPHY, VIDEO AND MEDIA
| DETAIL | POLICY |
| Event Recording | Photography, filming and livestreaming may take place throughout the event. |
| Public Event Areas | Athletes, coaches and spectators may appear in media captured within public areas of the venue. |
| Use of Media | Event media may be used for reporting, promotion, advertising, websites, social media and future event materials. |
| Athletes Under 18 | The parent or legal guardian provides the applicable participation and media permissions on the athlete’s behalf. |
| Safeguarding Concerns | Any concern relating to photography or recording should be reported immediately to an Empire Grappling staff member. |
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EVENT CANCELLATION OR POSTPONEMENT
| OUTCOME | POLICY |
| Minimum Guarantee | Registered athletes will receive at least a future Empire Grappling event credit. |
| Additional Options | Depending on the circumstances, we may offer alternative arrangements or a refund. |
| Communication | The available options will be communicated after the circumstances have been reviewed. |
| Final Decision | The remedy will be determined by Empire Grappling and communicated directly to affected athletes. |
This applies where an event is cancelled, postponed or materially rescheduled because of government restrictions, venue closure, public emergencies or other circumstances outside our reasonable control.
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POLICIES AND CONTACT
| ITEM | INFORMATION |
| Policies | Privacy, data protection, safeguarding, event rules, risk assessments and other relevant policies apply. |
| Documents | Available on the Empire Grappling Documents page. |
| Company | Empire Grappling Events Ltd |
| info@empiregrapplingevents.com |
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FINAL AGREEMENT
By completing registration, the athlete, or their parent or legal guardian, confirms that:
| AGREEMENT | CONFIRMATION |
| Registration Information | The information provided is complete and accurate. |
| Published Terms | They have read and accepted these terms and the event information published on Smoothcomp. |
| Deadlines | They understand the applicable registration, amendment, refund, credit and withdrawal deadlines. |
| Competition Format | They understand that match numbers, opponents, timings and division formats cannot be guaranteed. |
| Rules and Conduct | They accept the competition rules, referee authority, safety requirements and Code of Conduct. |
| Authority | They have authority to provide the required permissions for the registered athlete. |
| Event Updates | They will check Smoothcomp for amendments, brackets, timings and other event updates. |
Failure to read the published information does not remove the athlete’s responsibility to comply with it.
📧 Still have questions? Email info@empiregrapplingevents.com before registering.
Divisions
- Gi / Kids£30
- No-Gi / Kids£30
- Gi / Juvenile£30
- No-Gi / Juvenile£30
- Gi / Female£35
- No-Gi / Female£35
- Gi / Male£35
- No-Gi / Male£35
- Gi / Absolute£20
- No-Gi / Absolute£20
Organizer
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the Yorkshire Winter Open 2027?
The event is on 16th January 2027 at Barnsley Metrodome, Queens Ground, Queens Road, Barnsley, S71 1AN.
What time do doors open and matches begin?
Doors open and spectator entry begins at 8:00am. Kids and Juvenile matches begin at 9:00am; Adult and Master match start times are TBC and will be confirmed when brackets and timings are released.
When do registration periods close?
Early Bird closes on 24th October 2026, Normal closes on 28th November 2026, and Late closes on 7th January 2027. This is an online, pre-registration-only event, and late or event-day registrations will not be accepted.
Is there a registration capacity limit?
Each registration period is capped at 250 athletes. Registration may close before the advertised deadline if the venue’s overall capacity is reached.
What is the deadline to make registration changes?
Registration changes must be made through Smoothcomp by 9th January 2027 at 10:00pm. No registration changes can be made after this deadline or on event day.
When and how do weigh-ins take place?
Weigh-ins take place at the venue on event day only. Kids and Juvenile weigh-ins open at 8:00am, Adult and Master weigh-ins open at 9:00am, athletes weigh in without the Gi, and one weigh-in covers every division entered.
How much are spectator tickets?
Adult admission is £10, and children under 12 are free. Cash and card payments are accepted, subject to venue facilities, and spectator admission and wristbands are managed at reception.
When will brackets and timings be released?
Brackets are released on 12th January 2027. Brackets, division start times and estimated match times will be published on Smoothcomp, and athletes must follow the live running order on event day.
What is the refund and credit policy?
The 100% refund deadline is 19th December 2026. The 100% credit deadline is 9th January 2027 at 10:00pm, and the 50% credit deadline is 24 hours after brackets are released; after the final credit deadline, voluntary withdrawals are not eligible for a refund or credit.
How can I contact the organiser?
Contact Empire Grappling Events Ltd by email at info@empiregrapplingevents.com. For accessibility or additional support arrangements, contact them before the event.
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