Lucas Leite is a multi-time world champion with first place finishes at the Gi, Nogi, and Grapplers Quest world championships.Leite started training Brazilian Jiu-jitsu when he was 12 years old under Ryan Gracie. He earned his black belt under Leo Vieira in 2006.
Lucas is noted for having a dynamic half guard game utilizing a twisting knee-hip pressure that is difficult to stop. He says he likes to attack through half guard because it is effective in both gi and no gi competition. Though a natural lightweight, Leite mostly competes at heavyweight or absolute because he often practices with heavier training partners at his gym. Leite moved from Brazil to California in 2007 and opened his own jiu-jitsu academy, where he currently teaches full-time. Leite’s students include UFC fighter Jessica Penne. He is a member of Checkmat BJJ Academy. Leite won the Pan American Championships in the under 94 kg division in 2015.
Photo: William Burkhardt of BJJPIX.com
The multiple time BJJ World champion will be be once again competing at the world next week and he told Tatame that he will be once again be going two weight divisions up, anyhow he prepares for it:
How’s the training camp for the 2016 Worlds at your CheckMat ?
At my gym the training is going very well . We have athletes of all belts , But of course that many of them train jiu-jitsu just for fun , but still like to compete. I think these are the best students, they do not complain about paying the gym membership , they value you as a teacher and on top of that they still compete ! At CheckMat everybody is very happy with Buchecha’s return to the competition , he’s a guy that represents and uplift our team. And of course our students from the lower belts that are eager to go home with a medal.
What’s the secret to keep competing for so many years and always be at the podium in the competitions ?
I’ve been competing for thirteen years straight at the Mundials . I’ve always kept the discipline in training and diet over the years . Last year was the first time that I had to stop training for so long because of an injury . But life is about relearning and adapting . These days if I train too hard in the morning , I skip training at night . I only do conditioning every other day. I used to train during the weekend , now I prefer to rest . It’s important to respect your body.
What’s your secret to fight bigger and heavier opponents ?
In my case, the secret to fight bigger and heavier opponents is the fact that I’ve always had bigger and heavier training partners , since the time I was training in Brazil , with Robert (Drysdale) Galvao (Andre) and Marcel . Here in the States I train with Joao Assis , Buchecha ,Yuri Simoes ,Jack , and because some of them have more than 100 kilos , I do not feel the size/weight difference so much when I am fighting a 94 kilos opponent .
