Brazilian black belt overcomes difficult adaptation to the US and settles down at Gracie Barra Orlando

Born in Manaus, Amazonas, and a Jiu-Jitsu black belt since 2005, Bruno Brasil is yet another athlete who left the country for the United States in search of better opportunities through sport. Living in the city of Florida (USA) for a year and a half, the Brazilian now teaches and trains at Gracie Barra Orlando.

The path there, however, was not easy – with the pandemic in between -, but after a period of adaptation, Bruno Brasil has been reaping the rewards of his choice and hopes to compete as much as possible.

“I came to the US to take on new heights within Jiu-Jitsu. My intention is to compete in as many competitions as possible and teach classes, thus becoming one more militant of the gentle art around the world. (…) The first year is always tough. , a new country, new culture, people, laws, language, as well as missing friends and family. events,” said Bruno, who, in addition to teaching, is also part of the Gracie Barra competition team.

In addition to a Jiu-Jitsu black belt, the Brazilian is a wrestling black belt and a judo purple belt, collecting several titles in both disciplines. Currently more focused on the gentle art, he closed the last IBJJF ranking at eighth in master middleweight 2. For 2023, he wants more. And to achieve his goals, he relies on the teachings of different schools throughout his career.

“I’m a fish and açaí eater, born and raised in the middle of the Amazon rainforest. I started Jiu-Jitsu together with my childhood friends at the house of the great master Alessandro Guimarães, who, in addition to representing his name, represented Carlson Gracie. I got my purple belt at 17 years old and during that time at purple the academy closed, so I migrated to Nova União, where I trained at the house of master Nonato Machado. and since I arrived in the USA I represent Gracie Barra”, explained Bruno, who added:

“I arrived in Orlando and there was no Nova União gym, the closest was in Tampa with Robson Moura, but it was not feasible for me in terms of distance. I googled the gyms that were close to me, saw some and chose to visit GB. When I got there I was greeted by the owner of the gym, who is now a great friend of mine, Léo Silva. We sat down to talk, I told him a little about my story and he asked me to wait. When he came back, he was already handing me a kimono and saying it was an honor to have a fourth degree black belt on the team. I was flattered and accepted the opportunity”.

Check out the rest of the interview with black belt Bruno Brasil:

– You started working as a teacher while still in Brazil, right? How was the beginning of this journey?

While I was in Manaus, I worked at P&G Procter & Gamble, the largest consumer goods company in the world. There I was able to introduce Jiu-Jitsu and started giving classes to employees. The company also entered into a partnership and began sponsoring me at all the events I traveled to. Today my students are in Manaus, training and competing. Highlight for Izaque Duarte, Wellington Gomes, Maikon Maia, Robson, Chicão, JonJon, Márcio, Wandy, Serjão, Iuri, Romulo and Oziel.

– Who are your biggest influences in Jiu-Jitsu?

I always liked fighting, I learned to like it watching the movies of the time, seeing what the Gracie family did around the world and also because of my brother Guilherme, who was already training at the time. I’ve always been a fan of the Gracie family, especially Carlson Gracie.

– How was the culture shock when you moved to the United States?

There always is, especially when you come alone. Right at the beginning you are even afraid to spend money (laughs). Not knowing who is a good person or not, we have to end up relying on people for as much information as possible. I am a Christian, I have a lot of faith in God, as soon as I arrived I was already part of Lagoinha Orlando Church, I can say with conviction that this church played a fundamental role in my life as a Christian, it adjusted the spiritual part and all wars became easier with God.

– How do you balance the competitive side with the role of teacher?

Since I started Jiu-Jitsu I never stopped training, never! Jiu-Jitsu is part of my life, fighting makes me alive, I like to compete, this has always been really fed in me by my master Alessandro Guimarães. It’s hard to reconcile several things, but in the end it’s always worth it, always!