Photo: Judo Inside

Source: Tatame

The names of most of the participants of the second edition of the Copa Podio middleweight GP are known . Romulo Barral, Keenan Cornelius and Alexandro Ceconi are already confirmed, the organizers announced the American Travis Stevens as a new player of the tournament, replacing Rafael Lovato Jr.

His participation in the GP Cup Podium will mark the return of Stevens to Rio de Janeiro. In 2007, at the Pan American Judo Games, he won the gold medal, eliminating in the quarterfinals of the Brazilian Flávio Canto (who is known for having serious ground game skills)

“I’ll be a real threat to all Brazilians at the Copa Podio GP.” says Stevens, who is also a brown belt from Renzo Gracie Academy.

Already in 2012, at the London Olympics, Travis Stevens beat another Brazilian Leandro Guilheiro who was then placed first in the world ranking category, and lost to Stevens was eliminated. On occasion, the American finished fourth.

“The Jiu-Jitsu of Travis Stevens is of the highest quality. Even as a brown belt, Renzo Gracie gave him the right to have a gym with his name because he knows his talent. In Judo, Stevens got the better of the Brazilians in the main competitions. And in Jiu-Jitsu, what will he be like? The answer will come in the next edition of the middleweight GP Copa podio, and fans can not lose, “says Jeferson mayca, event organizer.

The average GP will be one of the attractions of the next edition of the World Cup Podium Jiu-Jitsu, which takes place on September 8th at the Tijuca Tennis Club. There are still six places in the tournament, and the event organization plans to announce in the coming weeks the other participants, and the opponent Leandro Lo in Super Fight of the show.