Emmanuela Oliveira 
Promise of Gracie Barra Chandler, in Arizona, Luke Fidler is a yellow-belt who had an incredible performance in kids competitions throughout 2023. First in the IBJJF rankings, multiple Opens champion, Flider was champion of two of the federation’s biggest tournaments, Pan and European Kids. With flawless fights from January to December, the competitor delivered a performance capable of keeping him untouchable, without giving away any points to his opponent.
In an interview with the VF Comunica team, the student under Paulo Eduardo “Piu” recalled last year’s achievements with utmost pride. For him, a boy involved with Jiu-Jitsu for around 7 years, last season was his favorite, in terms of achievements and evolution.
“2023 was personal my favorite and most accomplished year in Jiu-Jitsu. I have won many tournaments this year, not just small ones but also big ones. Such as Europeans, Pans, American National, Jiu-Jitsu Con and many more. I trained incredibly hard for these tournaments and dedicated much of my free time to training and focusing on my goals. I have improved considerably all around in many different categories.”, he says.
Hard work preceded good results
The hard work to become champion is an obligation that Luke bravely accepts. To feel relief after the flawless season, he had to pay the price. “Getting ready for Pan Kids, I was training a lot. Somedays, I would wake up at 6:00 AM and go to training at 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM. Then, go to work out at 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM. I would come home and eat then sometimes take a nap. Later, I would train from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM, come home, eat, take a shower and go to bed.”, he tells in detail.
With a progressive style, which leaves no gaps for opponents, the evolution of the technical aspect is very visible in Luke’s results. When going into detail about his game, it is clear that the yellow-belt steps onto the mat aware of what he must do.
“When I fight I like to start the fight on bottom. And look for a sweep or a submission, if I sweep I like to come up pass the guard and take the opponents back, then submit them from there.”, he comments. As a good guard player, the idea is to pull guard early on, avoiding the takedown. However, he says he will do so if necessary.
Having occupied the highest place on the podium at the Pan and European Championships, Luke Fidler’s favorite fight in 2023 is an Open duel, against Mark Traven, in Houston. He says that the movement of this fight, with two “berimbolos” and an almost lethal back take, the armbar just didn’t happen due to the timer, injected confidence in the yellow-belt’s potential, who now has a brand new season ahead of him.
