The IBJJF Euros is a highly anticipated competition due to its representativeness. Traditionally, it is the tournament that opens the IBJJF Grand Slam calendar, followed by the Pans, Brasileiros and, finally, the Worlds. LEAD BJJ, a team led by black-belt Bruno Bastos, is one of the teams that will arrive in Lisbon to kick off the competitive season.
In an interview with VF Comunica before competition in Portugal that begins tomorrow, the 17th, Bruno Bastos shared LEAD’s development plans in Europe. Being present at the first major IBJJF competition is an excellent way to maintain the solidity of the planning.
“We are still working on our growth in Europe. We have academies in Bulgaria and Finland. This work began in schools that did not have black-belts at the time. We are going with 21 competitors, many of whom have had success at the local level in Bulgaria, but are making their debut in major events. We also have some competitors with real chances of winning. We are continuing to work.”.
The IBJJF has just announced that the 2025 Euros has broken a record for the number of registered athletes. With over six thousand competitors on the list and registrations closed before the scheduled deadline. This only reinforces the greatness of the Gi competition and, consequently, of the IBJJF. A finding that goes against allegations that the federation is losing ground to events that pay athletes beyond medals as a reward.
Bruno Bastos encourages his athletes to participate in IBJJF competitions
For Bruno Bastos, participation in IBJJF competitions, with impressive results, is still a valuable showcase for visibility in the sport’s high performance.
“The IBJJF is the largest Jiu-Jitsu organization. It is a very successful company. It is an excellent platform to create opportunities for professional fights in the IBJJF itself and in other events. For me, it is essential.”.
Among Bruno Bastos’ athletes who stand out, the name most mentioned by the public was Cássia Moura, who demonstrated an extraordinary performance in her debut year as a black-belt. Now, after her rapid rise to black-belt was debated to exhaustion, with confirmation of the athlete’s merit, the time has come to follow her progression in the Jiu-Jitsu elite.
“We had a short but very productive camp. I understand that there are high expectations for her performance in a very tough bracket with great athletes. We have no control over the outcome and anything can happen with so many athletes with a chance of winning the title, but she is ready to be champion.”.
The professor himself is among the thousands of athletes who will put the Gi on to take part in the Euros. According to him, this is an opportunity to stand out more, to show himself in a different way.
“I’m going to compete in the Master 3, a ultra-heavyweight division. It’s a tough category, but I had a good camp and I’m very confident. This is an opportunity to compete alongside my European students, as well as to seek more visibility in a different market.”.
As a coach and manager for athletes, Bruno Bastos analyzed the group of black-belts registered in the adult competition and stated that the level is high, with potential for comparison with the Worlds in California. In addition to having been successful in attracting athletes, the European Championship is also showing signs that it will be well-regarded in the community due to the technical ability of its potential champions.
“The adult black-belt division is at a very high level for both men and women. I believe we will have several previews of what may be happening in the rest of the kimono season. Some brackets are at Worlds level.”.
