Paulo Santos took the podium with a silver medal in Orlando (Photo: Personal Archive)
Paulo Santos, 46, a veteran Pirasicban fighter, is the runner-up in Pan-American Jiu-Jitsu. The silver medal was won last weekend in Orlando, United States. The competition, which is organized by the IBJJF (International Federation of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu), took place at the Silver Spurs Arena and was held from 6 to 10 April. Paulo competed on Sunday (10) and finished second in master class 4, lightweight (-76 kg). Robin Unsworth was the champion, while Alejandro Valdés and Tim Silva shared the bronze.
“This medal shows that I am on the right track in terms of training and myself. The competition was of an impeccable organization and of a very tough level. We Brazilians really have to dedicate ourselves to Jiu-Jitsu or else the Americans will start to dominate us. I liked it, but I leave the competition with a taste for ‘I want more’. I thought something was missing, we’ll do some mental work in the gym and we’ll adjust. I am not satisfied with Silver, but I am satisfied with what I presented at that time”, said Pirasikban.
When asked about his plans for the future, the fighter said that he still does not think about ‘hanging up the kimono’. “The federations have master categories 5 and 6, and I’m in master 4. By my calculations, I have another 15-year career (laughs). I want to keep competing, because I just don’t talk training. Since I got into Jiu-Jitsu, I have dreamed of becoming a black belt and I believe the natural way would be to set up my own gym. If that happens, I would encourage athletes who Let’s train with me. This transition from athlete to coach will be natural”, he said.
Schedule
Under the command of Alliance JJ team athlete, Master Flavio Junqueira, Piracicban Fighter has confirmed three definite commitments for a sequel to the 2022 season. -Jitsu. In May it will be the turn of the CBJJ (Brazilian Confederation of Jiu-Jitsu) championship. Both the events will be held in Barueri city. In September, the current Pan-American runner-up returns to the United States to fight for the World Masters title in Las Vegas.
