Fabricio Galvão is 30 years old, lives in Cuiabá, Brazil and leads a normal life. He is an extrovert who likes to talk, study and practice sport. he was recently promoted to black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. According to the Federation of Jiu-Jitsu Sports of the State of Mato Grosso (FJJEMT), Fabricio is the first person with Down syndrome in the world to achieve such a title. Exceeding all expectations, he got where no special athlete had managed up to now. As reported by Brazil’s globoesporte.globo.com:

– And he deserves it. I don’t anybody wo is not good. I’ve never seen anything like it in over 50 years of sport. Fabricio has a very great determination and is very dedicated. So much so that he trains with normal people.”

Said his master Francisco Fernandes, known as Chicão.  Fabricio has been practicing jiu-jitsu for 10 years and started training under Chicão through a social project in APAE (Association of Parents and Friends of Exceptional people). Despite the benefits that sports brought to the athlete, his family was against at first.

Fabricio Galvão and his family, athlete with down syndrome (Photo: Robson Boamorte)

I thought it was a violent sport, but now I see how much jiu-jitsu was important for Fabricio. He was already very sociable, but now is even more. Motor coordination is better and he loves to go train. For us it is a joy to see him among the other fighters –

Said his father, Antonio Rizzo.  To get here, Fabricio went through some difficulties as reported by his mother, Jacira Galvão. She says she was devastated when she discovered that Fabricio had down syndrome, but would never give up on the child.

Fabricio Galvão athlete with Down syndrome (Photo: Robson Boamorte)

“- My first reaction was one of sadness, even more than the doctor told me a lot of lies, that he could not walk, I could not do anything. But I always believed that he had a way to improve. We seeked support from the time of his birth and saw that he was active, getting ready. We saw that Fabricio was really special. -“

Said Fabricio’s mother.

Aware of the interview, Fabricio was all smiles when he heard his name. Given the chance to speak, he showed all his sympathy.

– I got stronger, look here (shows his arm muscles), I am healthier and now want to get in the Olympics. I love to train, there I find my crew –

Fabricio said that despite the dream, he can not compete in the Olympic Games, as jiu-jitsu is not an Olympic sport.

However, Fabricio can start dreaming about the BJJ World Cup. According to Francisco Fernandes Junior, son of Chicão, the World Federation of Jiu-Jitsu will soon launch the World para jiu-jitsu, so special athletes can also compete.

– I’ll get there, that’s my goal –

Fabricio finished.  Today, in addition to training three times a week, the special athlete also assists master Chicão in class, especially with beginners.