Andre Gomes in action. Photo: Personal Archive

André Gomes confirmed the good phase in competitive Jiu-Jitsu when he won the gold medal at the 2022 IBJJF Pan-American Games, in Florida, a few weeks ago. The Gracie Barra black belt shone in the master 1 heavyweight category and, on top of that, got the bronze medal in the absolute.

The Gracie Barra athlete took the title by beating Joaquin Torres (Fight Sports) in the final category, by 6-2. André tells us that persistence was the key factor to beat Torres in the dispute for gold. Currently, the champion is sixth in the black belt world ranking.

“I was very clear-minded, I was calm and conscious about how to turn the game around. I started behind by two points but was able to turn around with a sweep and a back grab at the end of the fight. It was my day, no discussion! Persistence is the key, you can bet on that. It’s the law of sowing! You reap what you sow. All you have to do is believe and keep on searching”, details André, who won bronze and silver medals in 2020 and 2021, respectively.

André points out the Master Worlds as the season’s biggest goal and the desire to conquer the Fight to Win belt, a superfight tournament in the United States. On top of all that, he highlights his professionalism with diet and training to reach high performance.

“The focus is the Worlds and the Fight to Win belt, but I should fight some opens as well. In this preparation, I did everything right in the diet and physical preparation with Raphael Benassi. The camp I did was really good, there were a lot of tough guys in training. So that gives you good confidence”, reveals the champion.

Before closing, André talks about the importance of having a strong mind to keep your head straight during Jiu-Jitsu competitions.

“The struggle is internal! Sometimes, between one fight and another, you’ll feel doubt and anxiety, and if you don’t control it, it finishes you up right then and there. Thank God I have a good mind. I’ve been taking care of this part for a long time,” says André.

André Gomes is a Jiu-Jitsu black belt. Foto: Personal Archive

André Gomes, 33, is a jiu-jitsu worker ant. A black-belt since 2014 and currently a resident of Dallas, Texas, he has been living one of the best phases of his career as teacher and athlete. He sits at number two in the IBJJF’s heavyweight master-1 rankings, and ranks number nine overall.

Recently, due to his titles on the competition circuit and his way of fighting, he launched his first online DVD, with an emphasis on the wrist lock.

“My techniques have been tried and approved in high performance, in IBJJF competitions and against tough opponents in the course of my career. I have revealed the most secret details of my game, and whoever buys it won’t regret it!” said, in a recent interview, André, whose titles include double gold at the American Nationals, plus silver at the Master Worlds and Pan.

It used to be hard for André to see all the possibilities the sport could offer his life. Around mid-2002, his mom told him to study and find a profession.

“It was hard at the start, but I knew everything would change. Never give up on your dreams, no matter what people say about you. If you believe it, keep forging ahead, because it will work. From the first time I stepped on the mat, I fell in love with the sport! My mom told me at the time to quit the sport and study, but I said I was going to live off jiu-jitsu. It worked! Today I’m able to help my family with the sport I love,” said André, a black-belt under Otávio “Peixotinho” and Álvaro “Ganso.”

A prolific competitor, André has some important appointments lined up for the 2022 season. He has set the Pan as a goal, as well as the gi and no-gi worlds and a Fight to Win title bout. In order to achieve great results, he has begun devoting time to mental preparation.

“I’ve always had trouble believing in myself. I did some work with some professionals to start loosening up in the competitions, and I’ve been getting better! I’ve always demanded a lot from myself and had a great fear of losing, and today I believe that that’s a mistake that many athletes make and neglect. Competition is 90% mental and 10% physical,” he said.