Rodolfo all set for Rio Open. Photo: Ivan Trindade

Recovered from a knee injury that kept him out of the season’s main events, like the World Championship and World Pro, Rodolfo Vieira is aching to put on his gi. The black belt has even returned to action already, with he will do again at this month’s Rio Open tournament.

“I’m dying to compete. I competed and won at Copa Pitbull in Teresopolis. Ricardo Evangelista, Vitor Henrique and I closed out the absolute. I had three matches. In one the guy got hurt and in the other two I got the submission. Now I’m heading into the Rio Open full steam,” says Rodolfo, who warns:

“I’m really excited and training a lot. I’m better than I was before. I have such a desire to compete!”

A representative of GFTeam, the black belt also confirmed the team will be at full force not just for the Rio Open, but for the International Masters as well.

“Theodoro Canal, Evangelista, Vitor Henrique, I and a bunch of other guys are all going. We have a really big team going into the International masters.”

The events take place simultaneously in Rio de Janeiro’s Tijuca Tennis Club starting July 22. Find out more here.