Leo Leite, ultra heavyweight champion, in action in the final / Photo: Gustavo Aragão
The sweet taste of victory is being savored by those who shone during the Brazilian National Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2009, held this past weekend at the Tijuca Tennis Club, in Rio de Janeiro. GRACIEMAG.com was present to pick up on the emotions of the champions right after conquering results carrying weight in the career of any competitive Jiu-Jitsu player and post the statements of three of such competitors below.
Roosterweight champion Bruno Malfacine defeated Ivaniel Oliveira (Carioca Team) in the big decision. “My training was painful, but I had been training every day, three or four times a day. I’d get home exhausted, with my body aching, but the sacrifice was worthwhile. Now when you get out there and become champion is when you realize it was all worthwhile. It’s priceless,” said the Alliance representative.
The best among featherweights, Bruno Frazatto put Atos JJ at the highest place on the podium: “I got Denilson Pimenta in the semifinal. He was a really tough opponent, we always have great matches. He’s a great athlete,” said Frazzatto, who beat Theodoro Canal in the final. “I’m really happy with the title. I was hoping for a little more from me, but I think I got a little nervous. It happens. I just wanted a bit more from me, though. I’ll train more for the Worlds. My focus is on the Worlds.”
Now Leo Leite took gold in the ultra heavyweight. “I didn’t know whether I’d make it to the Brazilian Nationals. I was in Sao Paulo with the Brazilian judo team, last week. I’d torn a finger ligament and fractured my toe. When I called Gigi (Alexandre Paiva), I even told him not to sign me up because I thought it was best I didn’t compete. So he told me he’d already signed me up. So I did some physiotherapy, put some ice on and didn’t train, to get here in as little pain as possible. It ended up working out, I fought well. In the semifinal against Charles Cachoeira I had a blunder, when I tried to pass guard and didn’t have the strength in my hand to pull hum up, but in the end it all worked out,” remarked Leite, who overcame Bruno Mathias (Check Mat) in the final.
