
Leonardo Mario is confirmed for the Grand Slam Miami, which will be held on September 16 and 17, and is relying on his refined Jiu-Jitsu to win another AJP victory. Leonardo is entered in the -62kg division, one of the most hotly contested in the tournament.
The 24-year-old black belt is having a sublime season at the AJP championships. He is the leader of the Federation’s professional ranking and was champion of the London and Rio de Janeiro stages of the Grand Slam. The Cicero Costha-trained athlete’s main focus is on winning the World Pro.
In an interview with VF Comunica, Leonardo Mario analyzed his moment in the AJP and highlighted his differential in relation to his opponents.
VF COMUNICA: How do you analyze your category at the Mimi Grand Slam, which has high-level athletes such as Hiago George and Isaias Higino?
LEONARDO MARIO: For sure, it’s going to be great to compete in the ADGS Miami for the title of the up to 62kg category. It’s a division that always has high-level athletes in action, and it marks my return to the mats in the United States.
Which factors have been important for you to be on a roll in AJP competitions?
My focus on my goals is to win or win, life doesn’t give me any other options, and that’s what I do. AJP has valued its athletes and the minimum way to repay that is to get on the mat and put on a show at the events.
How important were the titles in the AJP championships for the growth of your career?
Outside of the IBJJF scene in the United States, what kept me going as a professional athlete were the AJP competitions, since there was prize money at the championships for the color belts. So I was able to continue and invest in myself. This was the way I found to keep doing what I love at a high level until I could compete again in the United States.
What does it mean to you to be at the top of the AJP professional rankings?
I’m proving to myself that I’m capable of achieving the things I want to. I’ve always been a dreamer and this keeps me going. I won the brown belt ranking in 2021 and I want to win the black belt ranking this year. I also want to be World Pro champion. I’m sure I’ll be marked as one of the stars who have ever stepped on the AJP mats.
How do you define your Jiu-Jitsu style?
My BJJ is unique. Just like in a show, you can’t blink for a second because I can pull a finish out of nowhere. The show only ends when the curtains close.
How important is your teacher Cicero Costha in your training on and off the mats?
He’s the one who got me where I am and where I’m going. As I’ve said before, he’s a visionary, a genius and he has a mine for making champions on and off the mats. Many athletes who are world champions today stepped onto the mats at Cícero Costha. Many of them lived there, and Cicero trained them all. He does very strong basic work, he knows how to make lions ready for war.