Bernardo tries for sweep on Ceconi in Worlds absolute. Photo: Dan Rod.

The gold never came, but that doesn’t overshadow Bernardo Faria’s excellent performance at the Jiu-Jitsu World Championship. The black belt made it to the heavyweight and absolute finals, only coming up short against Rodolfo Vieira, who ended taking both gold medals. Now the Alliance ace is brushing up his game in Las Vegas and anxiously awaits a shot at the ADCC title. To make it happen, as he states, perhaps he has already deciphered the code to beating Vieira.

Here’s what he had to tell GRACIEMAG.com:

You didn’t get the gold this Worlds but, even so, what do you make of your performance? After all, you did make it to two finals…

Dude, unfortunately I didn’t manage to win it; I lost two finals to Rodolfo, who is to be congratulated, as he had an excellent championship yet again. At the time, over there, I was deeply saddened, as I trained every day to be able to be champion and, unfortunately, this year it didn’t happen. But that’s how it is… Thank God, even though I didn’t win, I did manage to have a good showing, had a lot of matches, beat big-name opponents, and, despite not being champion, I showed some good work, how much I trained, having made it to two finals.

Did you derive any great lesson specifically from this competition?

In my opinion, it all comes down to deserving it, and if Rodolfo has been winning it’s because he deserves it more than the others do. And deserving it isn’t just going to the academy to train, it’s eating right, sleeping well, training a lot, competing a lot, treating everyone well, having support from your family, friends and teachers; so everything is involved. So now all that’s left for me to do is dedicate myself more and more to come up with good results and be deserving of victory next time around.

In your opinion, what will it take to beat Rodolfo? What would be the best route to beating him, perhaps taking him down?

I feel that to beat Rodolfo you have to be well-rounded and preferably take the lead early on. He has really good base and coming from behind against him is really complicated. So, yes, I believe the way to beat him may be to take him down or sweep him early in the match. But to tell the truth, I don’t think there’s one way, it’s about working hard, training a lot, and being even more dedicated. Like I said before, I feel the winner is the one who was more dedicated.

What’s next for you as far as competitions are concerned? Could you be or have you been invited to the ADCC?

After the Worlds I came to Las Vegas for vacation and also to learn from one of the guys who knows most about Jiu-Jitsu that I know: Sergio Penha. He’s even taught a number of Jiu-Jitsu and UFC champions. I’ll stick around here the whole month of June to enjoy the city, train and learn. It’s awesome here. My wholehearted focus for the second half of the year is to compete at the ADCC; it’s always been a dream of mine to participate in an event like that one and I’m doing a lot of No-Gi training. Unfortunately, I haven’t been invited; I’m hoping to. I’d really like to be invited to take part in the under-99kg division. I’m going to train a lot, dedicate myself entirely to No-Gi training to, should an invite arise, go out there, put on a good show, and win it. My biggest battle will be to manage an invitation! I’d like to thank everyone who roots for me, and if anyone wants to contact me, my email is bernardorochajf@yahoo.com.br.

Talita at ADCC tryouts / Photo: X-Combat.com.br

Talita Nogueira, better known as Treta, has figured at the main gentle art competitions for some time now. In 2011, in particular, the Ryan Gracie rep has been putting in great showings against some of the Jiu-Jitsu’s top female names. She qualified for the World Pro and now the ADCC. First, though, she is taking off in pursuit of medals at the Brazilian Nationals and World Championship.

Check out what the fighter had to say:

What did you make of your performance at the ADCC trials?

It was great. I was a bit tired from all the championships I’ve been in lately. I really like fighting without the gi and thank God everything went well and I qualified (laughs)!

What are the challenges you expect to face at the ADCC?

There will be a lot of them; it’s a super important championship and one every fighter dreams of. So I’ll have to deal with the nervousness, adrenaline and responsibility, as well as the fact I’ll be competing abroad, which is something I’m not used to yet (laughs)! But those are things one must learn to overcome and I’m ready for the challenge.

You’ve been competing for some time now, but this season you’ve been appearing a lot. To what do you attribute this good run you’ve been having?

This year’s really been a good one for me, I’m managing to standout in the competitions I’ve entered. I feel it comes down to the great people I have by my side, the folks at the academy who are so dedicated to training, my family and my boyfriend, who support me so much, and mainly to my teacher Pitta – he works me hard and is always by my side; he’s very dedicated to his students. Having this support from my family and Ryan Gracie team is really important to me. It was also really important to have managed some of the sponsorship I did that helped motivate me to train and compete. Thank you, all of you who believe in me.

Will you be at the Worlds? What are the next challenges you will be facing and when do you start focusing your efforts on preparing for the ADCC?

I’m almost guaranteed to compete at the Worlds; I’m really focused and want to do well there, represent my team. But first I’ll compete at the 2nd stage of the São Paulo Circuit and the Brazilian Nationals. Then, after the Worlds, I’ll hang the gi up for a while to focus on the ADCC. If something comes up in MMA along the way, I’m in (laughs)!

Do as Talida does, sign up for the Brazilian Nationals and Worlds. This Sunday is the deadline for the Brazilian Nationals. For more on both events, click here.

Photo: Ray Santana

A three-time black belt world champion with plenty of wins in the intermediary belts too, Celso Venicius’s name is etched into the annals of great gentle art champions. The fighter is now heading to the World Pro, in Abu Dhabi, and will later compete at the Jiu-Jitsu Worlds, in California. And these events may very well be the last chance for people to watch him in action. In a conversation with GRACIEMAG.com, Celso admits the possibility of retirement.

Check out what he had to say:

How are things going for the World Pro?

I haven’t competed since last year’s Worlds. I’ve been recovering from injury and now I’m better. Just after I recovered I caught conjunctivitis and couldn’t train. So I’ve been training hard for three weeks, and now I’m heading off to compete.

Do you feel you may lack competition pace against the opponents you have ahead of you?

I’m physically in good shape and don’t think I’ll feel a lack of pace. My head’s screwed on straight, I’ve got stamina. . . I’m fine.

What will you do in terms of competition after Abu Dhabi?

I’m thinking about fighting at this Worlds and then retiring.

So the 2011 Worlds may be your competition farewell?

It very well may be my farewell Worlds. I have to take a break. I’ve been at it for 13, 14 years and there comes a time when it gets to you. There’s no more government financial backing for athletes, that’s been taken away. These days I make my living teaching, not competing. Competing is entertainment, I don’t make money from it. I’ve got my Atama sponsorship and nothing more. I kind of lack motivation to keep at competition rhythm without support. I think I’m going to become more and more involved with things at the academy. I can’t go on paying to compete anymore. I’m mad competitive, but now I have two kids and have to think about money.

Roberto Cyborg (pictured in photo by John Lamonica) is the grand champion of the recent No-Gi World Championship, held on the 7th of this month. Two months earlier, though, he already demonstrated how he was among the favorites to take the title by overcoming none other than the giant Rolles Gracie at the UFC Fan Expo.

Remember it, and learn from the both of them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcPrnMkIuIY