Competitors who stand out like you do often become role models for younger athletes just starting their own Jiu-Jitsu journeys. What kind of advice would you give to a young white belt who aims to reach the heights you have achieved in the sport?
Listen to your Professors and do not complain. Be willing to pay the price, as it is a high price. To be on top is tiring, demanding and frustrating a lot of times, but it will give you a inexplicable feeling of joy and a taste of always wanting more. In the current season, you waged tough battles against Hiago George and João Miyao. To have such high level opponents changes anything in your training routine. Does it motivate you even more? I try to train my game and to evolve my techniques. I also try to study the game of the best opponents in my division. I want to know what they do best so I am able to avoid getting caught in their game. I want to have my options so I don’t get frustrated during the match. It’s very rare for me to be caught by surprise in any match. I study my matches and try to learn from the mistakes I made and also from the different sceneries that show up in each match.
Gabriel and Hiago waged memorable battles in the 2018/2019 season
The UAEJJF competition circuit has become a stronghold for athletes for awarding them with hefty money prizes. In your opinion, what is the importance for a professional athlete to have their efforts and results rewarded with monetary prizes? In my case, as with most athletes, I can say that the prizes help me to invest in a better training routine with resources to invest in recovery methods, better meals, etc. To have financial stability makes you less worried with things outside the mats and helps you focus on your training. Besides that, the UAEJJF gives a huge value to athletes as its tournaments are global stages for us to shine. It’s a great feeling to the welcomed and recognized wherever Jiu-Jitsu is present.
The third place at the Abu Dhabi King of Mats lightweight bracket was another proof Gabriel is among the best in his weight class
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Hard work during training leads to great performance on the tournaments
With teammate and friend Diego Ramalho, Gabriel travelled the world this season adding points in the UAEJJF ranking
Jiu-Jitsu World