Last spring, when International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation announced the cancellation of their scheduled events, the jiu-jitsu community was devastated. Nobody more so than the Atos competitors. So, when the IBJJF announced they were going to hold one of the biggest events of the year, Pans, the Atos Jiu-Jitsu team rallied a small but mighty team to go represent.
Represent they did, winning BOTH the male and female team trophies!
A Small But Mighty Team
Professor Andre Galvao, who flew across the country to Florida to coach his students, was ecstatic over the results. “It was amazing. Like 85% of everyone who compete did really well. I’m really happy with the results. Of course, there is always something that we can improve, there were certain situations I saw that we can improve on, but overall it was great!”
With only around 60 total athletes, the Atos competitors brought home a total of 50 medals: 15 gold medals, 14 silver medals, and 21 bronze! According to Galvao, the second place team brought nearly double the number of competitors. The adult black belt division was especially impressive.
“We had champions in every single belt. In the black belt division, we had eight athletes in the finals and we won six gold medals and two silvers. It was amazing.”
The thing that most impressed Professor Galvao was the heart all of his students showed during their matches. Even for those who lost a match, every single one left everything he or she had on the mat.
Said Professor Galvao, “That’s what I want from my athletes: when you give 100%, no matter what. No matter the outcome, just giving a 100% and not stopping.”
Outstanding Performances
Among the athletes who hit the podium in their division, there were some amazing highlights. For example, Atos brown belt Andy Murasaki won double gold, as a light weight! That wasn’t the only double gold of the event. In fact, the Atos ladies simply killed it. A brown belt from Atos Atlanta, Alex Enriquez, won both her division and the open class, as a feather weight! Black belts Luiza Monteiro and Rafaela Guedes also won their divisions, then closed out in the open weight division. Incredibly, Rafaela had received her black belt only a week before the event!
“Rafaela is a brand new black belt, but she fought really, really well. She looked amazing, she was strong, she was prepared. And she had a good mindset. Because she had just been promoted, she didn’t feel the pressure. She fought hard and she won!”
In addition to them, Gustavo Batista won the black belt heavy weight division, and silver in the black belt open class. Ronaldo Junior won the black belt middle weight division, and Lucas Pinheiro won the black belt rooster weight division. After valiant performances, Michael Liera Jr. and Dominque Bell came away with silver in their divisions.
Success Starts with Relationships
Professor Galvao attributes their success to the incredible relationship he and Angelica have with their students.
“It means a lot, of course, because it shows that we are doing the right thing, you know?” He said. “Of course, there is always room to improve – you always got to improve – but it shows that we have a really good relationship with the students. We’re very synchronized with the training, and we’re always helping them, not only to improve in jiu-jitsu, but also in their lives. We try to show by example, you know, and it’s working. It’s a lot of dedication. It’s not easy, but it’s working.”
Back in Action
Considering all the restrictions, Professor Galvao admitted that the event felt different. But there were moments that he forgot about the outside world.
“IBJJF did a really good job with the event. Of course, we had to wear a mask all the time, and there was no audience. The energy of the event was just the fighter’s energy. But it was great, you know, it was good. To be honest, I even forgot for a moment that everything that we had gone through before this, the lockdowns and closing and all that. It felt like we were working and we had a normal life. I feel like it was important for me, my family, for my students for all the jiu-jitsu community.”
Professor sent his gratitude to the IBJJF for making it all happen, despite all the obstacles.
“I would like to thank IBJJF for the effort. I know it’s not easy, but they did it. They did a really good job. The refs were changing their gloves, they were wearing their face masks to protect the athletes, and cleaning the mats in between the matches.” He said. “It was great to be back in the competition environment again. With all that’s happening, it felt good to be there and do what we love.”
