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Gabi Garcia Emotional After Winning Gold At World Pro: ‘I Almost Quit Jiu-Jitsu Because Of All The Recent Criticism’

Gabi Garcia Emotional After Winning Gold At World Pro: ‘I Almost Quit Jiu-Jitsu Because Of All The Recent Criticism’

 

 

On Thursday at the World Pro, held in Abu Dhabi, Gabi Garcia won another gold medal in her career. The Alliance athlete won in the final of the +72kg category, beating the Lithuanian-American Dominyka Obelenyte, and now aims for the title in the open weight.

 

Gabi and team mates in Abu Dhabi

Gabi and team mates in Abu Dhabi

 

Check out her interview with Tatame where she said that she almost quit because of all the criticism that she has recently received following her positive test for PEDs that stripped her of her 2013 world championship title.

 

“How motivating was it to win another title of World Pro?

I’m thrilled. That title was a redemption, it was something personal. I experienced things that I do not wish for anyone, and many people threw stones at me. I thought I would not have the strength to go back to step on a mat, looking at people and be the Gabi I am. I thought several times not to come here, I looked up to a psychologist to help me. My family told me I had to come, and I answered: “I’m not ready.” It was the first time I got on a championship without feeling that I was ready. And today I did the best fights of my life. People said I did not keep, but I called to guard and finished the armbar in 30 seconds. I think I freed myself as an athlete. Everything in our lives is for us to learn something, and unfortunately, bad things also come for us to overcome. I excelled as a person and as an athlete. And that title goes to show that it is not the gold that makes the champion, and yes, the persistence to get in and face the fear of people. For the first time, I was afraid of getting into a mat. I thought I had lost the joy of entering the mat and be Gabi I am. I am much stronger, more focused and dedicated than before. I’ll get this absolute too and nail it because it will serve as a personal motivation that I can.

 

So you almost did not compete at the World Pro?

Yes I was ready to quit coming. I cried a lot, did a suitcase and unpacked. I spoke to my master Fabio Gurgel and asked him if my reign was over, if I was on the way down. He told me: “You are better than ever, your Jiu-Jitsu was never so good. You do not owe anybody anything. Go ahead, do your job and do your best. ” I owe everything I am to Fabio Gurgel. He is more than a teacher. He is the reason that makes me get up in the morning and go to practice every day. He’s the guy.

 

How was the fight against Dominyka Obelenyte?

I already knew here. It was she who helped me with the training of ADCC, when I went to train with Marcelo Garcia in New York. She is a tough athlete. It is this new generation of girls that are coming up. I’m 28 years old now, and she is only 19 It’s nice to see this new generation, who will reap what we are planting.. And she is technically very good. It was a “big fight”. These past years, this was shot, the most difficult fight I did. She is very good indeed, I was impressed. She fought until the end. The victory, if it were her, I’d be very just as well.”