Yuri says, “I am a man who has never stopped dreaming, and today I am blessed to live my dreams.”
Yuri Simoes with a Jiu Jitsu black belt, is one of the top competitors of his generation. He won several competitions and is also an instructor. He’s visiting India for the first time for a workshop on Jiu Jitsu and Wrestling at the Institute of Jiu Jitsu which began on Friday and continues till Sunday evening in the city.
Yuri says, “Jiu jitsu to me is the tool that allows you to fully express yourself as a human being in a combat scenario.”
“It also helps you to understand more about who you are as a person, your limitations, weakness and your strong attributes as well.”
He adds, “It makes you much more aware of yourself and body as it teaches you how to create leverage, apply and handle pressure and much more. It also builds confidence even in those who weren’t.”
The three-day workshop is going to be about his expert views and approach on competition training. He wants to help martial arts enthusiasts in the city become globally competitive. His experience of the arts will benefit students and experts in the city to understand Jiu Jitsu and wrestling and improve.
Yuri says, “I’m not into academics. I have been teaching full-time around the world and focusing on being an athlete. I still plan to complete certain tournaments for which I still need to invest my time and energy.”
Yuri’s father as his inspiration, he started Jiu Jitsu while he was four. “His passion eventually motivated me and I was impressed with this beautiful art and I started training. Also Choke- A Rick Gracie documentary is one that inspired me to be a martial artiste. I was so inspired with the documentary that I watched it several times and I broke it.”
India, a diversified country with a beautiful culture waited to meet the enthusiasts and champions here. The workshop is going to be exciting. He is here to teach his expert techniques, warm up steps and preparation methods. He is here to help the enthusiasts to enhance their skills through his training workshop.
As Yuri said he never stopped dreaming, he also dreamed of being a martial artiste. He shares his hardships and experiences with us. He says, “I was 12 years old, I got smashed! I actually lost my first 13 tournaments. And that’s what made me persevere and wanting to win. If it wasn’t for that I wouldn’t be where I am in the sport. Eventually winning the tournaments became a reality. Don’t give up on your dreams when you hit some speed bump. Speed bumps can slow you down but they can NOT stop you.”
Yuri’s tip: This sport is all about how to control your competitor and how to channel it in your favour. Once you dive in deeply, you can easily grasp the techniques and in fact become confident too. With no shortcuts in Jiu Jitsu, it requires consistent practice and years of training.
