Leonardo Nogueira is one of the top competitors from Alliance’s Jiu Jitsu team. A BJJ black belt under Fabio Gurgel, Leo Nogueira made a splash at black belt when he won a gold medal at the Brazilian Nationals in the open weight division (2011). He continued on his winning path, winning Gold at the World BJJ Championships in 2011 & 2012. He told BJJ Eastern Europe about his training regimen which includes swimming every day and his plan to move to the US and also focus on MMA.
1. Hi Leo, can you please introduce yourself to the BJJ Community of Eastern Europe?
My name is Leonardo Nogueira, I am 26 old , black belt I degree, I am from Guaruja , Sao Paulo, I AM training Alliance SP, I am 2x world black belt champion (2011,2012) , European absolute 2013 , Brazilian National Champion 2011.
2. Please tell us about your Jiu-Jitsu story
I fought all the time with my brother haha. Then when I was 15 years old I started training in Integracao jiu jitsu. Funny thing that my ex training partner s were Buchecha,Cavaca, Fabio Romao ,Nivaldo Oliveira all of them training at Integracio Jiu Jitsu. In 2008 i move to Sao Paulo and start training in Alliance SP under Fabio Gurgel. In 2008 I competed at world as brown belt and get gold in my division, in 2009 again I competed as brown belt and win category and absolute division (beating Kyron Gracie in finals). After that I was promoted to black belt by Fabio Gurgel. In Worlds 2011 i won my first Black Belt title and so on ….
3. Please tell us about your training regimen at Alliance SP? How often do you train BJJ, how often strength and conditioning.
When I am preparing form competition I start my training regime 2 months before. I do strength and conditioning training 6x week. My strength and condition coach is Tavai Santos (coach of national volleyball team). And my BJJ training is 1x per day but it is really hard training. And I also swim once per day (in the morning). So I swim in the morning , bjj in the afternoon and strength and conditioning at night.
4. You have competed at heavy, super heavy and ultra heavy. At what weight do you feel the best for competition?
I am feeling most comfortable In Super Heavy division.
5. Tell us about the time you’ve spent in Croatia and Slovenia training.
I went to Slovenia in 2012 and did a 7 day seminar , and also I did 7 day seminara in Croatia , Zagreb. It was fun there , and I think that level of bjj is very good .
6. I’ve heard that you will be moving to the US shortly, can you tell us more about this new adventure?
I am moving soon to Miami to teach bjj, we are opening official alliance school there and I will be also start my MMA training in Black House gym.
7. What is next for you competition wise in 2013?
I am preparing for ADCC in Beijing , China.
8. If you want to thank somebody or sponsors, feel free
I want to thank Keiko Raca for sponsoring me and restaurant Natural.
9. Thanks Leo and all the best!
Thank you BJJ Eastern Europe, All the best.
