With R.N. Continuing to probe into the mystery of Manaus’ JJ talent, the city is represented by four fighters who earned the gold medal in the adult black-belt category of the last Jiu-Jitsu World Championship (Ronaldo Jacare, Xande Ribeiro, Gabriel Morais and Fernando Vieira), ADCombat reporter keep asking: Why is the city in the extreme north of Brazil so strong in Jiu-Jitsu competitions? Master Osvaldo Alves: ‘I think that Jiu-Jitsu is more popular than soccer, in Manaus. This reality naturally attracts people to practice the art well. Great fighters have good reputations in the city. A gold medal in the Jiu-Jitsu World Championship represents prestige in Manaus, something very different than what happens in other cities, where Jiu-Jitsu fighters suffer prejudices’.Master Guto Monteiro: ‘I believe that Manaus’ geography helps to keep the kids in the academy, since the top one’s are always SO focused in the sport. In Manaus, there are no ocean beaches, just river beaches, so there is less distractions in Manaus than in others cities like Rio de Janeiro?.?.
