Bernardo Faria became a two-time super-heavyweight world champion in 2013. Photo: Ivan Trindade.

Black belt Bernardo Faria has a few reasons to be proud after the 2013 Worlds , which ended last Sunday.

He was the only man to defeat Leandro Lo, in the quarterfinals of the open, with a sweep.

It was he who, at the end of the day, came closest to beating Marcus Buchecha Almeida, before getting swept with but seconds left in the absolute semis (in his weight class, Buchecha had been even in advantages with Alexander Trans, but was never behind).

He nabbed his second super-heavyweight world title (2012/2013) in an exhilarating final versus João Gabriel Rocha, certainly one of the sport’s biggest hopes going forward.

Bernardo Faria was the king of the sweep from half-guard at the Worlds, a technique some have dubbed “dental floss sweep,” because he holds the lapel and rubs it on his opponents’ legs like floss on gums.

With this near-unstoppable sweep and some dangerous submissions, the Alliance fighter got the best of Lucas Sachs and Luiz Fernando Panza and arrived at the final opposite João Gabriel. First he had to foil the Soul Fighters giant’s attempts at taking his back. Then he swept, mounted and celebrated with his Alliance friends.

And that wasn’t even all of it, as he later got to see his gym win the team championship title for the eighth time with a whopping 94 points. CheckMat (53) and Atos (45) completed the podium.

Before the referee Muzio, Andre is able to take down Marcus Buchecha. Photo: Ivan Trindade/GracieMag

Last Sunday, Marcus Buchecha and Andre Galvão wrote another chapter in the remarkable IBJJF Pan history book. In Irvine, Calif., the  champion of the super heavyweight defeated the light heavyweight champion 4-2 in a thrilling and instructive absolute final.

Buchecha went ahead of Andre Galvao with a takedown, 2-0. Undeterred, the Atos fighter kept insisting, he had to get rid of an armbar and returned the takedown. Buchecha was still winning in advantages, but didn’t let Galvão grow: with an omoplata attack, the giant swept and consolidated the victory.

GracieMag spoke with Andre Galvão, who analyzed the mistakes and successes in the absolute final in Pan 2013. Check this out:

GracieMag: How was the fight in your point of view?

Andre Galvão: Losing is not cool, but this time I went out with my head held high because I gave my best. He was better on that day and that’s it. Now it’s time to go back to my routine. I guess I didn’t make many mistakes. The thing is that I couldn’t handle the takedown I took at the beginning, after all he is big and heavy. I only have to work harder next time to be better prepared, he was better this time.

Did you take any lessons from the silver medal?

I think I didn’t lose to myself, but to my opponent. There were errors, but they can be adjusted. The thing is to train harder. I am motivated after this defeat, and I believe that it will only strengthen me.

What do you think of Buchecha as an opponent?

He is a great fighter. He believes in himself and doesn’t give up easily. He looks like a big featherweight (laughs)! He is fast, big and very good. He has achieved excellent results in the championships.

Did anyone impress you more in this Pan?

Yes, my partner and great friend Guto Campos. He is improving every day and had an excellent campaign across my draw before we closed the light heavyweight. He defeated Romulo Barral by 14-4 and also beat other tough athletes, like Diogo Araujo and others. I would like to congratulate him once again. He is a very good guy and will get to the Worlds stronger this year.

Is the WPJJC in Abu Dhabi next?

Now it’s time to go back to San Diego to train my students, because Atos is full of people who are going to the Emirates this year. I will help them in training, and also dedicate myself to pave the way to win there.

Ricardo Evangelista against Leandro Lo in open weight semifinal at Rio Open / Photo: Gustavo Aragão

Ricardo Evangelista was stoked after winning the absolute division at the Rio Open

last Saturday, when he closed out with training partner Igor Silva. The fact he was unable to win his weight group (Caio Magalhães took the gold) didn’t matter much, if just because Ricardo fought with an injured shoulder.

“My left shoulder was injured and I overcame it. I lost at weight but because my opponent deserved it,” said the current Brazilian national champion.

“The good phase I’m going through comes down to hard training,” he begins. “The Brazilian national title motivated me even more for the rest of the season. I needed a gold medal from a major event, and my self-confidence improved. Training with Master Julio Cesar, my physical conditioning coach, André Ferreira, and the guys at GFTeam did the rest. I started believing I have what it takes to beat anybody,” he explains. (Watch the semifinal against Leandro Lo below.)

“The team affirmed its potential and won the Rio Open overall; the difference there was that we have top-notch training partners at all weights and belts. It’s a privilege to be able to train with Rodolfo Vieira, the best there is right now, and Igor Silva, Arthur Gogó, Renato Fraga, Theodoro Canal, Denilson Pimenta, Vinícius Marinho, Jake Mackenzie, Morcego…” he details.

“Now I have to take care of my injured shoulder and get back to training as quickly as possible. I want to keep my focus, compete at the Brazilian team nationals and next year be at the Worlds – this year I didn’t have the means to make it there, but next time I’ll be there,” says Ricardo, who open to teaching seminars (interested parties can contact him at evangelistajj@hotmail.com).