Emmanuela Oliveira 
The words of someone with experience are always more valued, this is a formula that never changes and it is the same one that guides Bruno Frazatto in his new life in Jiu-Jitsu. Four-time IBJJF Brazilian Nationals champion, Frazatto makes intensive use of his experience to run a school of Atos in Atlanta. In addition to having been an excellent competitor, Bruno had the ability to see the good phase of the sport in terms of professionalization and, with this in mind, he is already working with young competitors who promise to make a strong impact on the next generation of adults, in the black-belt division.
“I am very focused on training the new generation. I truly believe that good work on the foundation can make a difference not only in competitions, but also in the development of citizens. I advise professors, with the same goal, to seek training and knowledge not only in Jiu-Jitsu, but also in didactic and pedagogical training to have an approach appropriate to each age group involved. We have to remember that before they become competitors, we are dealing with kids and the professor is also a part of the educational process.”.
Are teachers with a successful competitive past more valued? Bruno Frazatto gives his opinion on this
Some people argue that the most acolladed athletes in the past are the most valued professors today. However, there is also a different opinion, which argues that not every successful competitor has the gift of teaching. It may be true. For Bruno Frazatto, there is no relationship between a collection of gold medals and professional success as a Jiu-Jitsu teacher, but he is absolutely certain of one thing: his high-performance history is now one of his strengths in the academy.
“Having had a very positive career as an athlete is definitely not synonymous with being successful or being a good professor. We have examples of teachers who achieved great results in their careers as athletes and are now also excellent in their careers as team leaders, but there are also great professionals who have never competed or who have fought, but without achieving significant results. So, my conclusion is that one thing does not depend on the other. But, at the same time, I am sure that all the experience acquired in high-performance competitions qualifies me in countless ways to lead the team. I believe that having experienced all of this helps me to be ahead of those who have not had this experience.”.
Working 100% as a professor today, Frazatto defines himself as fulfilled
Another positive point in this process of training new athletes is Bruno Frazatto’s own acceptance of the phases that were part of a life dedicated to Jiu-Jitsu. He understands that each one of them was part of a specific moment and that today he is exactly where he should be.
“I have a very good relationship with this. I understand that it was a really cool phase and that I experienced it intensely, giving myself 100% to the process and I just transferred all the focus I had as an athlete to my career as a team leader. There are many people who inspire me a lot and I am always in this learning process. I want to continue improving to achieve all my goals as a coach.”.
With such a dedicated focus on the children’s team, the leader has a comprehensive understanding of the unstoppable growth of the sport among kids and young people. For example, multi-champion Manu Frazatto, daughter of the black-belt, is one of the stars of the Atos Atlanta team. The success of tournaments such as the Pan Kids, in the United States, and the Brazilian Nationals for kids, in Brazil, are good examples of the potential of these age groups. With that, the significant number of children and young athletes involved professionally in the sport ends up with a reflection. After all, is it beneficial or not to take the sport more seriously, even at a young age? Bruno Frazatto answers.
“I am in favor of early professionalization in sports. I see it in a very positive perspective, because it gives children a direction to follow and brings enormous benefits such as discipline, understanding of hard work and reward, which is the need to train seriously to get good results, in addition to showing that we need to be resilient and persistent when we have a goal. The understanding that victory and defeat are part of the process and a sense of belonging are some of the countless benefits that Jiu Jitsu provides.”.
