Nicholas Meregali has decided to voice his opinion on BJJ tournaments that make the athletes pay, so they can compete in them.
And, well, it’s not a favorable one:
The world is not respecting what martial arts really are and that is very sad.
Imagine being a Jiu Jitsu fighter (samurai, bushido follower) and charging to compete, it’s so wrong.
Meregali shared that he hopes the money will take second place in comparison to what, in his opinion, Jiu-Jitsu should be about:
I hope that the Jiu-Jitsu community makes a move to bring back the industry we used to be, and we, all athletes, continue working to big teams, giving our lives to jj organizations and not having money, but being a true samurai.
“It is more important to fight for honor, respect and medals than for money.”
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Nicholas Meregali beat Victor Hugo last Friday in the IBJJF Absolute Grand Prix final match.
It was a tough battle between two elite athletes.
But Meregali came out victorious in the end, with a well-earned $40,000 prize, won with a sweep:
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Sloth Jiu-Jitsu: you can be slow and unathletic and still kick butt in Jiu-Jitsu.