Gabriel Almada 
Thalys Pontes put on a gala performance at the first edition of the PBJJF World Jiu-Jitsu Championships last weekend in Maryland. The black belt had an impeccable performance and scored two wins at featherweight to secure the gold medal.
At 23, Thalys is a promising Jiu-Jitsu fighter and has the credentials to make more and more noise in the major championships. He has a refined technique and always fights for the finish.
As well as being an excellent competitor, Thalys has also developed as a professor. He leads TAP World Class BJJ classes alongside his wife Abbi Pontes.
Flawless performance at the PBJJF World Championship
In an interview with VF Comunica, Thalys Pontes analyzed his performance at the PBJJF World Jiu-Jitsu Championship and stressed that he used the pressure as fuel to win.
“As everyone knows, making the transition as a professional athlete from brown belt to black belt is a big adjustment. Not only are the fights more challenging, but the pressure is also much greater. My goal for this competition was to use the pressure as a means of enhancing my performance rather than hindering it. I believe I achieved this beautifully in my two fights. I remained calm and patient in each fight and used my techniques to neutralize my opponents. In addition, I always sought dominant positions until I reached the finishes. I feel that I handled the pressure very well and that reflected a lot on my performance,” explained Thalys.
Thalys confirms finishing Jiu-Jitsu
The victory at the PBJJF event was special for Thalys. He imposed his offensive game and won the title in front of his wife and students. The black belt pointed out that he was able to put into practice the teachings he has been getting from Lucas Lepri.
“I felt delighted to be able to apply the techniques I’ve been learning from Professor Lucas Lepri and which I’ve been practicing with my students at TAP on a daily basis. In addition, I was thrilled to win the final by executing one of my favorite finishes, which is a lapel choke that I learned from my brother and professor, Jonas Andrade. In addition to the countless techniques used during the fights, I was happy to see the smiles on the faces of my wife Abbi, the members of my TAP family, and all the fans who were watching me around the world. Another special moment was the sparkle in the eye of my student, Warrior, who accompanied me to compete in this tournament. So it’s an incredible feeling to inspire those you love and to share my achievements with them is priceless,” said Thalys.
Thalys emphasizes PBJJF’s commitment
Thalys highlighted the PBJJF’s care for the athletes and praised the quality of the event.
“The tournament had a fantastic atmosphere and a welcoming environment. It was clear that the entire team prioritized the athletes without neglecting to care for the families and children. What’s more, they were dedicated at all times to providing the best possible experience for the staff. Every aspect of the tournament, from the rules and organization to the smallest details, such as the medal pendant, was planned and executed meticulously well. The event also attracted a large number of highly skilled competitors, from the children’s category to adult black belts. It’s wonderful to see an organization based on the West Coast holding high-quality competitions and attracting high-level competitors to the region,” said the black belt.
High level production
Furthermore, Thalys reinforced that the PBJJF not only strived to promote high-level Jiu-Jitsu, but also to provide a unique experience for competitors.
“They did a great job of turning the competition into an unforgettable experience for both competitors and spectators. One part of the competition that surprised me was the show for the finals of the absolute black belt category. The production included smoke, lights and each contestant’s introduction to music. The entire tournament stopped to watch this production. I’m excited to see what else the PBJJF has to offer, as I believe they will become a great organization”, projected the young champion.
Thalys listed the strongest points of his game and assured that he is excited to get into action again.
“I believe that one of my greatest strengths is my ability to bring something new to each fight. Because I am comfortable in both attacking and defensive positions, I can bring a new strategy and game plan to each fight. I’m also very blessed with the ability to think and act quickly, which helps me keep my fights different, dangerous, and interesting. Besides that, I learned from Professor Lucas Lepri how to make my technique more precise, which adds a new dimension to my game, which I can’t wait to show more on the big stage”, reiterated the black belt.
New phase as a professor
Thalys is experiencing a new phase in her career. He has acquired new responsibilities in recent years and is not just an athlete. He commented on his experience as a professor and said how he balances both roles.
“I have many different roles to play in my life: husband, son, athlete, small business owner, and professor. However, I believe that each of these roles has made me a better, more balanced person in all aspects of life. I was born poor, so you know how difficult it was. This balance is also evident in my approach to competition. Since becoming a professor, my motivation to compete has changed. I no longer compete just for myself. Now, I strive to inspire my students and lead by example. Jiu-Jitsu has become more rewarding because I have other people to share my successes with and celebrate my students’ achievements with them”, said the TAP World Class BJJ professor.
Unique experience at PBJJF
Thalys recalled the feeling of having won in front of her students and quoted a phrase from professor Bruno Bastos.
“This weekend, I competed alongside one of my students I mentioned earlier, Warrior. He’s only nine years old and has been training for less than a year, but he’s already an incredible competitor. He won two bronze medals, after 8 incredible fights in two divisions. It was an incredible experience to share the emotions of the tournament with him and demonstrate what it means to be a champion on and off the mat. As my leader and mentor Bruno Bastos always says, it’s not just about Jiu-Jitsu, it goes beyond Jiu-Jitsu”, concluded Thalys Pontes.
