The best purple belt in the world is Nicholas Meregali from Alliance. The young phenom has come very close to accomplishing the Jiu-Jitsu grand slam at purple belt (that Keenan Corenlius achieved). In 2014 he won double gold at Europeans, double gold at the Pan Ams, double gold at Abu Dhabi World Pro, double gold Brazilian nationals, gold and silver at the Worlds. In this exclusive interview with BJJ Eastern Europe, Nicholas talks about his BJJ journey, Mario Reis, old school vs new school and plans for the future:
Hi Nicholas , can you please introduce yourself to the BJJ Community of Eastern Europe?
Hi guys, I’m 19 years old and from Brazil. I’m an athlete from Alliance Academy under Master Mario Reis, and teachers
Jefferson Adan and Gabriel Machado. I have been training for 4 and a half years and am a purple belt for the past 6 months. Today I live during the week in Porto Alegre and on
weekends I return my city, Santo Antonio where my training continues with my first team. My main titles that have been won this year at
with purple belt.
Weight and Absolute Champion of the 2014 IBJJF European
Weight and Absolute Champion of the 2014 IBJJF Pan American
Weight Champion and Absolute World Abu Dhabi WPJJC 2014
Weight and Absolute Champion of the 2014 IBJJF Brazilian
Absolute Weight Champion and Vice World IBJJF 2014.
How did you discover BJJ and how did you start training? Tell us about your BJJ journey.
I discovered BJJ through my brother Matheus Meregali, who began practicing BJJ and gradually gave me the desire to know the art.
I started training in San Antonio da Patrulha with my Teacher Jefferson Adan, where I trained for almost 4 years. I had always took BJJ as a hobby and a
way to improve as a human being but never as a profession. Late last year I received an invitation from Mario
Reis to train with him, I accepted and now am training during the week with him and on weekends with my first gym.
Nicholas with his team from Alliance Porto Alegre
This year you are on fire having won double gold on European, Pan, World Pro and gold and silver in the World. What emotions do you
feel when you are competing?
I feel many sensations when I’m competing, good and bad energies, chills, fear, desire, pride, happiness, sadness, often even
crying. It is a mixture of energy that I find important in a championship. I just have to know and master my mind and get the maximum
energy in my body.
Tell us about your academy and your training program (how often you train, do physical preparation, etc.).
I’m an athlete of Alliance Academy, training in Porto Alegre with Mario Reis. I do not have a specific training program, and make at most a program close to
important tournaments to organize myself and make the routine more enjoyable. I’m not a person that really workouts a lot. I workout twice
day, at most three. I like training enough so that my body is ready and my mind becomes quiet. I do not think it is mandatory to have so much training to be a champion, because champions are made of attitudes on and off the mat.
Tell us about your master Mario Reis and about your relationship with him.
I try to mirror him to the maximum. Today he is a person who has several roles in my life. he is a friend, counselor, teacher and father. He influences all of my professional and even personal decisions, I trust him a lot. I believe that our relationship has so much harmony as we seek and we think in a way very similar and have a similar energy.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
I hope to continue down this path, be a good black belt, a better person and to help whoever is around me.
Who are some of your idols in Jiu-Jitsu?
Mario Reis
Romulo Barral
Leandro Lo
Felipe Preguica
Nicholas took double gold at the 2014 World Pro
Which is harder (the level), the local Brazilian circuit of competitions or big tournaments abroad as European, Pan, etc..? (Where there are more
gringos)
Large tournaments abroad are more complicated, but the toughest opponents are the Brazilians traveling to fight these events.
What do you think of modern vs basic style of Jiu-Jitsu?
I think that Jiu-Jitsu is always evolving but we should not leave the basics aside. I think the athlete who can fit these two styles in their
game will be a perfect athlete.
What is next for you and your team in 2014?
I have nothing scheduled, I will fight the championships in my state and I let it happen.
If you want to thank someone or sponsors, feel free
I would like to thank my teams Alliance Mario Reis and Jefferson Adan, my sponsors, Koral Fight, QualiCôco, Fitclothingline,
Canna and all the people who somehow help me in this journey.
