A UAE-based Brazilian, Paulo Pinto has become a reference in Jiu-Jitsu over the course of his decades dedicated to the sport.
Also known as Paulinho Baraúna, a nickname from his time as a competitor in Brazil, the 42-year-old black belt is part of the AJP‘s history, competing in the organization’s tournaments since the beginning and witnessing firsthand how AJP and the sport itself evolved through the years.
In fact, that evolution has given Paulo, and many other Jiu-Jitsu lovers, the chance to make a living from the sport, adopting it not only as a lifestyle but also as a profession.
Right after competing and taking the gold at the ADGS Rome, in the Master 3 Super Heavy division, Paulo spoke to AJP:
I fought at the first Abu Dhabi Grand Slam in 2014 and I can see the evolution of the tournament.
The evolution of championships like the ADGS has led to many opportunities for both competitors and professors.
All this exposure brings more companies to invest in the sport, allowing us to walk this path alongside one another.
A passionate competitor at heart, Paulo made an important assessment of the tournament’s improvements over the years and how the seeds planted in the past can be bountifully harvested in the near future:
I’m from an older time with no support for Jiu-Jitsu.
20 years ago everything was very different.Today it’s not just a sport, Jiu-Jitsu is like a big company that brings opportunities to everyone involved.
Competing, dedicating yourself, getting to know other cultures, traveling the world. Those things are priceless.I hope to be able to compete a lot at a high level, see my children and friends competing, and spread the benefits of Jiu-Jitsu.
Experiences like this last a lifetime.
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