Rodolfo recebe a faixa no aeroporto. Foto: Arquivo Pessoal.

Em 2009, após vencer feras como Bráulio Estima no World Pro e se sagrar campeão, ainda na faixa-marrom, Rodolfo Vieira teve uma grande surpresa na volta de Abu Dhabi. No aeroporto internacional do Rio, recebeu a almejada faixa-preta de Jiu-Jitsu das mãos do mestre Julio Cesar. Algum tempo depois, como você acompanhou pelo GRACIEMAG.com, Rodolfo se tornaria campeão peso e absoluto do Mundial e anotaria o nome na história da modalidade ao lado dos grandes campeões da arte suave.

Inusitado receber a faixa no aeroporto? Bem, o Jiu-Jitsu é cheio dessas histórias. Há os que receberam no pódio após uma grande conquista, num restaurante ou até no hospital. São muitas histórias intrigantes que rondam o mundo da arte suave.

E você, leitor, recebeu a sua faixa de forma inusitada ou lembra de alguma boa? Há uma história surpreendente, engraçada ou até heróica por trás de alguma graduação em sua equipe? Se a resposta for sim, comente abaixo.

Rodolfo promoted at airport / Photo: personal archive

After tapping out stalwart competitors the likes of Bráulio Estima at the 2009 World Pro to be crowned champion while still a brown belt, Rodolfo Vieira had the surprise of his life upon returning home from Abu Dhabi. As he disembarked at Galeão airport in Rio de Janeiro he was awarded his black belt from the hands of Master Julio Cesar. Some time later, Rodolfo would win his weight and the open weight groups at the Jiu-Jitsu World Championship and etch his name in history along with the other great gentle art champions.

Unprecedented to receive a belt at the airport? Well, Jiu-Jitsu’s loaded with such stories. There are those promoted on the podium after a great conquest, at a restaurant or even in the hospital. So, there are plenty of intriguing stories surrounding the world of the gentle art.

What about you, dear reader, did you get your belt in some unlikely way? Got a surprising, fun or even heroic story behind your belt?

If so, share it with us in the comments section below. We’re curious!

Rodolfo against Léo Nogueira in the Rio Open final. Photo: Gustavo Aragão

Rodolfo Vieira had great expectations for 2010. After winning the absolute division at the 2008 World Championship as a brown belt and defeating a number of black belts on his way to winning the World Pro 2009 title, the fighter was promoted at Rio de Janeiro’s Galeão International Airport. Also in 2009, he won the Rio Open already as a black belt.

This year, though, a knee injury kept Rodolfo out of the main competitions. But, after a period of inactivity, the student of Master Júlio Cesar reclaimed his place as a top-tier competitor. Could he turn out to be another obstacle for Roger Gracie?

You flew to Abu Dhabi but were unable to compete at the World Pro. What was it like to be out of action this whole time?

I got injured, had a serious knee problem. It’s awful… It gets you really down and you feel you’ll never fight well again. I’d see the guys in my division fighting and doing great, while I was there on the sidelines. I’d wonder if I’d ever fight like I used to again. The good folks on our side, the family and friends, lift us up and with that support I managed to return in grand style.

Júlio Cesar promotes Rodolfo on his return from the World Pro 2009

But did you imagine you’d make such a great return?

I surprised myself. I submitted everyone when I fought in São Paulo and then I made it to the Rio Open, where the level is way up there, and I won at weight and the absolute. I was really pleased.

Some GRACIEMAG.com readers are already speculating about the possibility of you beating or not beating Roger Gracie. What do you think of that?

Look, that’s complicated business (laughs). Who doesn’t want to fight the guy and beat him? Roger is the best in the world, I can say no more than that. All you have to do is look at what he’s done and is doing. But it’s that old story, right? We saw Werdum beat Fedor and so I believe it’s possible to beat him. It’s just not easy. You have to train and believe in yourself because no one’s invincible. But I think I still have a ways to go, I’m aware of that. I’m a fan of his Jiu-Jitsu, he’s the man and I have to train a lot.

But what would be the path to beating him?

The path is on top. On bottom, I don’t think anyone’s managed to do it yet.

Against Fernando Boi, in the Rio Open absolute semis. Photo: Gustavo Aragão

When will you compete next?

I’m going to take a rest, but next week I’ll be back in training to try and get the prize money at the National Cup. There’s the Brazilian Team Nationals and GFTeam will take a good team at lightweight and heavyweight black belt. I also want to do the Brazilian No-Gi Nationals and to be in everything that comes up. I’m content to just be back competing.

Do you contemplate doing MMA?

I do. That’s where the money is. But I’m 20 years old and still have much to accomplish in Jiu-Jitsu. I got my black belt a little over a year ago, so I have to brush up my ground game a lot to not have a poor showing. Who knows? Maybe four or five years from now.

I’d like to let the gang know that anyone interested in having me for a seminar can reach me at rvieirajj@hotmail.com.