March has already started productively for Gabriel Silva, Vicente Júnior’s orange-belt, nº 1 in the IBJJF rankings last year. After debuting in No Gi with a bronze medal at an ADCC Open held in Atlantic City, in February, Gabriel Silva put on the gi to perform at the Dallas Open (IBJJF). The result was gold won by submission, a reality in Gabriel’s journey.
A kids athlete, but who analyzes his own game with the criteria of a more mature mind, Gabriel said in an interview with VF Comunica that he prefers to work on his improvement, always using each fight as a parameter.
“I think the big difference is that my gi matches this year have been quicker than almost every match last year. But honestly I don’t as much analyze and compare performances from year to year as I do tournament to tournament. I usually look at what I did at the last tournament and what can I do better in the next. For example, in London I had a kid with really long legs and had trouble passing and when I returned I worked on passing some more. At Dallas I had a similar issue but was able to overcome it quicker.”, he explained.
Gabriel Silva takes mental care seriously
Even with good results, Gabriel Silva also recognizes the need to take care of the mental aspect. According to him, his greatest evolution over time is more in the psychological part, with the control of nerves; than physics, in the technical part. “I believe as an athlete I have improved on controlling my nerves. One of the main problems I have always had since the start is controlling my nerves and over time I had to learn how to. This isn’t something you can really teach someone how to do, you have to learn it on your own.”, commented the orange-belt.A gold medal at the Brazilian Nationals is one of the biggest goals of the season
The IBJJF Brazilian Nationals, which takes place every year in Barueri, São Paulo, is one of Gabriel’s main goals in 2024. Pushed by the excellent results so far, Vicente Júnior’s competitor said he intends to arrive in Brazil in his best version. “I want to be there in 100% form and be able to have full energy, full strength, and not dehydrated. I plan to perform as I do at every tournament; with efficient techniques and strength. I have the willpower and the right mindset, the important thing now is just train and be there at full form.”, said the athlete who already sees himself, in the near future, dominating the juvenile division. 
