“Jiu-Jitsu is my life and I’ll always do what I can. Not just teaching class, but improving people’s lives. Truth is that’s the most important thing I do: to provide the best service possible on the technical and philosophical side. I think no one can rely on excuses anymore. I’m starting a gym here in Texas and I have to be an example. I have to be in contact with the sport. Not just teaching, but training every day, showing the pleasure in competing. Folks ask me: ‘Man, why are you still competing? You don’t need to prove anything to anyone.’ So I answer: ‘Because I like it. It’s in my blood. If I didn’t like it I wouldn’t be competing, got it?’” This statement was made by Gracie Barra Texas leader Vinicius “Draculino” Magalhaes.
He is not a leader for nothing, but because he proves how his attitude is the path to be followed. Work, work and work. That is the base of the actions of Draculino, who last month took an important step for himself: after five years without competing, he decided to get back into the tournament scene. The new start kicked off at the No-Gi World Championship in California, this past 9th and 10th of August. On the occasion, he competed in the Senior 1 category and fought in the final against Diojone Farias Guimaraes (Gracie Barra) taking first among featherweights.
Now, it seems, the Gracie Barra black belt took a liking for competition and decided to get back into them, as he has confirmed his presence at the No-Gi Pan-American, which will take place in New York, this coming October 4th.
Queried by GRACIEMAG.com about how his training has been going for the No-Gi Pan, Draculino said; “Of course we always seek to train more. We always think we end up training a little less than we should, but my head is in the right place. I’m going in without feeling any pressure. I can’t even put pressure on myself anymore because this isn’t my main job anymore. Now my focus is the gym, my business here in the United States and Brazil,” stated the fighter, who will compete at Senior 1, featherweight.
“There’s no point in being at the best physical and technical shape of your life… if you aren’t competing all the time. Competing is something you have to do all the time. And that is why I thought I didn’t compete well [At the No-Gi Worlds in California], as I had been a top competitor in the adult category for many years, I know when I competed well and when I competed poorly. I think the problem will be solved when I’m competing more often,” concluded Draculino.
Anyone who has not yet signed up for the 2008 No-Gi Pan should be aware. The deadline for sign-ups goes till Saturday, the 27th. Click here to guarantee your place.
