A serious incident at a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training session in Rivas do Rio Pardo (Brazil) has sparked a police investigation.
According to reports, a 13-year-old boy was hospitalized with visible bruising after being subjected to a “gauntlet” punishment at the academy.
The alleged incident occurred following a disagreement during training.
As described by the boy’s family, he was forced to walk through a line of fellow students who struck him repeatedly with their belts – a practice commonly referred to in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as the “gauntlet”.
While historically used in some gyms as a form of hazing or rite of passage, the practice has long been criticized and is increasingly rejected across the sport.
By the time the teenager returned home, the extent of his injuries required medical attention.
His family subsequently filed a report with local authorities, prompting an official investigation by the Civil Police.
Officials acted quickly after the complaint was filed.
The instructor responsible for overseeing the session was removed from his position, and all classes connected to the program were immediately suspended while the situation is reviewed.
In parallel, the local government has launched its own internal investigation to determine how such an incident could take place within a publicly affiliated initiative.
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