Lucio Sergio is a fierce competitor, a dedicated teacher and the nicest guy you will ever meet. I had the honor of facing him in a match at the Rome Open, and his technical level really impressed me. In this interview with BJJ Eastern Europe Lucio talks about his Jiu-Jitsu story starting in Rio and ending up in the UK, his love for competition and his academies in the UK:

1. Hi Lucio, can you please introduce yourself to the BJJ Community of Eastern Europe? 

A big Hello to the BJJ Community of Eastern Europe ! I’m a Second Degree Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with 13 years of experience in tournaments, with Gi, No Gi, Grappling, also coaching MMA fighters in the jiu jitsu side. I teach children and adults, helping them build up their confidence and encourage them to a healthy life style with sport.

NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL TITLES AT BLACK BELT LEVEL
Silver medal 2007 at National Championship Rio de Janeiro
Gold medal 2008 National Champion Grappling/ No-Gi Professional Manchester, UK
Gold Medal 2010 London Open Championship
Bronze Medal 2011 Brazilian Championship-Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation
Gold Medal 2011 Brazilian Championship-Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation
Gold Medal 2011 X-Combat Brazilian Championship
Bronze medal 2011 Master’s International Brazil
Gold Medal 2011 No-Gi Brazilian Championship
Gold Medal 2012 London International Open
Silver Medal 2012 European No-Gi
Gold Medal 2013 in European Championship Absolute
Silver Medal 2012 European Championship
Bronze Medal 2013 Abu Dhabi Trials Professional
Double Silver Medals 2013 Abu Dhabi World Professional Championship
Gold Medal 2013 Roma Open Championship
Silver Medal 2013 European No-Gi Championship

2. Please guide us through your Jiu-Jitsu journey.

I started Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2000 in the city of Rio de Janeiro where I was born, under Professor Joelson Sousa from Gracie Barra. I have been a Black Belt since 2006, but I hold titles from blue belt up to now.

3. How did you arrive in the UK and teach there.

I arrived in the UK in 2008 after an invitation from Lucio Lagarto Rodrigues to help with his training but also to spread the word about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in the North of England at a time were not so many people trained thus martial art.

4. Please tell us about your academies and your team.

I have been an instructor at Gracie Barra Matriz under Jefferson Moura, but I currently live in the UK, in the city of Preston and teach three days a week at Gracie Barra Preston.
I recently opened Gracie Barra Manchester academy under my name where I am head instructor, and teach there three days too.

5. You are a very frequent competitor in Europe. What goes through your head when you are about to step on the mat when you compete? (How do you motivate yourself)

I think about all that I have been through to get to that moment when I have to step on the mats. Sometimes my training is not easy, sometimes family life here and Brazil, makes it hard to concentrate 100 per cent for that competition, but these reasons are why I give everything I have when I face my opponent but also I love the energy around these competitions, we all want the same thing but all go through the same pressures when competing.

6. What is next for you and your team in 2013?

At the moment I will focus on building up my new academy ( Gracie Barra Manchester) , with the kids , fundamental and advanced class , and help some of my friends who will compete in Grapple Quest in Amsterdam and the Worlds Master and Seniors. If I get time to focus on my own training, I might fight at the London Open Championship, but if not I will back to compete strong next year.

7. If you want to thank somebody or sponsors, feel free

Currently the only people who I have to thank are all my students who help me and push me a lot with my training, and a special thank you to my wife and my family who give me a lot of support and never let me down even in some very difficult moments difficult that every athlete face. I am looking for serious offer from sponsorship to help pay for competitions expenses because sometimes is difficult to afford all travels and competitions fees.

8. Thanks Lucio and all the best!

I would like to thank Guillaume Huni from BJJ Eastern Europe for this interview. I would like to offer an open invitation to train with me if you ever visit England Ossssss