Emmanuela Oliveira 
Tyrone Gonsalves’ participation in this year’s IBJJF European Championship, before he even steps on the mat, is already loaded with meaning: this is the tenth time for the black-belt, a veteran of the bigger championships, in the tournament that begins the IBJJF competitive calendar. Representative of Master 1, the coach of Six Blades in French Guiana is registered in the heavyweight division, a category he knows very well.
With all the focus directed towards the ADCC trials, the opportunity to compete in the European Championship was a surprise, a last minute decision, the result of the support of one of its sponsors. The same happened with Aurelie Le Vern, a strong competitor among female adult black-belts at the European, Gonsalves’ wife and Six Blades athlete who shares the same goals with her coach and partner.
“I’m feeling incredible and very happy to be participating in the European championship for the tenth time. In fact, we were training without a gi, but a sponsor we have made an offer to take us to the European,” he says, celebrating the opportunity.
Tyrone is confident and not intimidated by heavyweight names
Tyrone Gonsalves is one of 19 heavyweight competitors who will fight at the European Championship. In the battle for the gold medal, there will be black-belts from teams like Alliance, Gracie Barra and Cicero Costha. “Heavyweight has always been my division. I don’t see any athlete who stands out in this category. The bracket is very full this year and I can’t wait for the big day.”, he reveals, already excited in pre-competition mode. The heavyweight fights, master 1, black-belt, are scheduled for January 23rd, Tuesday.
With a training methodology that does not go into rest mode, Tyrone told the VF Comunica team that work continued in progress, even at the turn of 2023 to 2024. “We didn’t stop working even at the end of the year. We work intelligently, with hard training, making good use of all the students who are available to help. This is great to see, your students believing in the same purpose.”, says the teacher, reinforcing the team’s synergy.
