Gabriel Almada 
Gabriel Silva is on his way to Dublin, Ireland, to defend his European Kids title, and hopes to show the quality of his Jiu-Jitsu. Gabriel is coming off a series of victories this season and stands out for the strength of his strikes. In recent weeks, the orange belt was World Pro champion and impressed with his refined technique.
In addition to his triumph in Abu Dhabi, Gabriel has maintained his high level in the IBJJF. He has won the Pan Kids, American National and Jiu-Jitsu Con championships. He is a student of his own father, black belt Vicente Júnior, who is responsible for his development in Jiu-Jitsu.
Tips for young competitors
About to go into action at the European Kids, Gabriel spoke to VF Comunica and listed a series of tips for children who are going to compete for the first time outside their home country.
I would say that they should focus on themself. They should remember that they shouldn’t do it for anyone else beside them. This was one of my biggest problems at a younger age. Anytime I lost, I felt like I would disappoint my team or my dad or my mom, but they really were not. If a kid can learn that they aren’t disappointing anyone by their result, that will be a little less nerve that they will have at their match. It’s a lot to say but it’s important”, said Gabriel.
Gabriel wants a second title
Gabriel recalled details of his performance at the European Kids 2022 and commented on the experience of fighting for the first time outside the USA.
The experience at last year’s edition of the Europeans felt the same as any other tournament I’ve compete at before, besides the fact it’s in another country and another venue. Even though it felt like that, I felt it to be a completely new experience. Like I said, it’s a new place, with new people, and a new environment. It was different to see people from everywhere as well. In the USA I would find people at tournaments from other states or maybe Brazil and Canada. But at Europeans I saw people from all over, whether it be from my home country or other countries in Europe. At the tournament, I compete against the same person I fought at in my final of Pans that year. The kid I fought was the big name of my division, the previous champion and winner of other major tournaments in Brazil. In that match I won. Once I saw him in my division for Euros, I knew that I could beat him again. I was less nervous then most tournaments for this one. Though it felt the same as any other competition, it was completely new and an awesome experience”, explained the orange belt.
Constant evolution in Jiu-Jitsu
Gabriel pointed out notable changes in the evolution of his Jiu-Jitsu and emphasized the consistency of his daily work.
“I think that this year I have evolved in every part of my jiu-jitsu. For tournaments, I learned how to control my nerves better. Technically, I’ve learned new techniques and practiced other ones I’m really good at in order to improve them. Strength wise, I’m growing day by day. Also I’m learning how to use strength and put pressure when I need it. But mainly, I feel like it was an improvement in my techniques. In the early competitions of the year, I messed up a lot of techniques that I’m good at in finals and some cost me the title while other tournaments had me barely getting it. But I trained as much as I could to work the technique, what I messed up, and improve it”, said Gabriel.
Gabriel Silva aims for the European Kids title
Gabriel told us why he believes he has excelled in competitions. Besides that, he stressed the importance of his physical preparation for his performance in competitions.
“I think that a few things help me stand out. First, I have had more experience than most others I’ve competed against. I’ve understood the rules in competitions and learned how to control the nerves. Also, I feel like my ability to blend both strength and technique has helped me. I’m able to do my techniques and add strength when needed. Lastly, I believe I have better cardio than most others. I roll more than the time of my matches for my division, and it has helped me gain cardio and energy through my matches”, concluded Gabriel.
