The champion of Brazil and Europe against Malfacine in Portugal / Photo: Ivan Trindade
He won the light featherweight division at the Brazilian Nationals on Sunday, but the season will not permit Ary Farias to celebrate his first domestic gold medal as a black belt.
“Things are going off here in Rio Claro, São Paulo state. We’re training more than we’re drinking water,” says the Atos athlete, whose thoughts are now on the Worlds.
But, to be fair, his performance at the Brazilian Nationals deserves to be highlighted. In winning, Ary had to get past a world champion in the final, the best little guy in the world in 2004, Gabriel Moraes (Clube Pina).
After “using a lot of force,” as he says jokingly, Ary reversed Gabriel and secured gold for Atos.
“It’s my new Brazilian title, and if memory serves correct, I’m the only one to have won so many times, from yellow to black belt. Shoot, who else has done that?” said the ace, referring to the gold medals obtained in 2002, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 2010 and 2011.
“In 2009 I was in the USA and didn’t compete – I blew it,” he says jokingly but with regret. Will Ary be ready to snap up another gold medal, like he did at last year’s Worlds as a brown belt? The throne is currently held by Pablo Silva and Samuel Braga (Gracie Barra), who are no slouches when it comes to putting in training either.