Orange belt Gabriel Silva is a great promise in Jiu-Jitsu. Gabriel has made a name for himself on the competitive circuit and won the Pan Kids Championship twice. He has also won gold at the European Kids and was runner-up in Brazil. Gabriel is a pupil of his father, Vicente Júnior, trained by Master De la Riva.
Gabriel has big dreams for the sport. To make it a reality, Gabriel also wants to be an example off the mats. “My plan for the competitions in 2023 is to train hard, as much as I can every week. I’m also going to prepare well off the mats, focusing on a healthy diet and weight training so that I’m ready for any championship,” said the orange belt.
In an interview with VF Comunica, Gabriel Silva told us what it’s like to have his father as a coach and listed his Jiu-Jitsu idols.
VF COMUNICA: Gabriel, how was your beginning in Jiu-Jitsu?
GABRIEL SILVA: I don’t remember very well because I was very young when I started training, maybe three years old. But I do remember that my father taught me some of the basic techniques for beginners.
What’s it like having your father as a coach? What’s your relationship like?
Having my father as a coach was quite difficult at the beginning of my competitive career. Sometimes, when I was being coached, I always thought of him as a father and got angry with myself for my mistakes, even though he was just coaching me and trying to help in a nice way. But over the years, I learned to understand the difference. It took me a few years to get used to the fact that sometimes he’s my coach and sometimes he’s my father. Nowadays, we communicate very well because he knows me better and, because he’s my father, I know I can trust him.
What are your greatest achievements in sport?
Throughout my career, I’ve been a two-time Pan Kids champion, European Kids champion and won silver at the CBJJ Children’s Brazilian Championship.
What’s your competition plan for 2023?
My plan for competitions in 2023 is to train hard, as much as I can each week. I’m also going to prepare well off the mats, focusing on a healthy diet and weight training so that I’m ready for any championship.
Who are your idols in sport?
My biggest idol is my father. He was the one who inspired me to compete and become who I am today. Apart from him, I’d say Master De La Riva because he’s a great person, who not only helped my father become good at Jiu-Jitsu, but also helped him become a great person. I also like to watch Tainan Dalpra and Mica Galvão. They are people I admire, but not in the same way as my father and De La Riva.
What is your biggest dream in Jiu-Jitsu?
My biggest dream is to win the World Championship at black belt and the Grand Slam. This will take many years, but it’s a goal I’ll work hard to achieve.
