Emmanuela Oliveira 
Bruno Bastos is an example of a Jiu-Jitsu professional who has made it big in several areas. Leader of the LEAD BJJ team, businessman and trainer of champions, Bastos wants more, he wants to continue exploring the fiel of competition. Next weekend, he will compete in the IBJJF World Master to seek the third world title in this competition in his career. In an interview with VF Comunica, a few days before starting the competition, Bruno explained how he manages to balance all his roles.
“The only way to balance everything is to not make excuses about not having time if you love everything that competition provides. When you have Jiu-Jitsu in your heart and your heart in Jiu-Jitsu. In fact, the teaching that competition provides goes beyond Jiu-Jitsu. And if you stop to think about it, none of this lasts long: the medal will rust one day, the fights will be remembered by few people. The most valuable thing about all of this is the opportunity to live special moments forever. There are people and moments that I will carry in my heart forever because of the experiences we shared in competition. Some people don’t really know what competition can do in their lives.”.
To catch the gold at 2020 World Master, Bruno Bastos had to beat Roberto ‘Cyborg’ in the final
Bruno Bastos’ first title at the IBJJF World Master came in 2013, in the super-heavyweight division, competing in the master 1 at the time. In 2020, already in the master 2, Bruno Bastos came out on top in the super-heavyweight division after defeating the legendary Roberto ‘Cyborg’ in the final of the category. “In fact, Fepa could put this fight on BJJ Stars,” suggested Bastos, who also has five titles at the IBJJF No Gi Worlds and two others at the AJP Abu Dhabi World Pro, in both cases competing among the masters.
“There are 44 competitors in total, including me. Since I should be seeded, I have 5 fights to win. I am very confident in my ability to compete, in my Jiu-Jitsu and my physique, but I understand that it will be a difficult task with several tough and giant guys.”.
At LEAD BJJ, Jiu-Jitsu teaching respects the methodology
Professor responsible for training athletes who have been emerging in major competitions, Cássia Moura and Emily Ferreira are well-known examples, Bruno Bastos spoke a little more about the LEAD BJJ methodology, in Texas.
“Here we work with systems. This way, students can learn Jiu-Jitsu in a homogeneous way and within their personalities and behaviors, to apply their own styles. You will see a variety of styles among my students, from children to masters, for example, but all with a good knowledge of fundamentals. As a result, we have several competitors who are champions of the Worlds, World Master, No Gi Worlds, Pans, No Gi Pans, Pan Kids, Brazilian Nationals for kids, Euro Kids and Abu Dhabi World Pro Youth. Now, I have everyone from children to masters coming to camp here in Midland. We have some athletes who have moved to train with me full time. We are in a very good phase and we will continue working and growing.”.
