The sand statue of Rodolfo in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro City, is only guaranteed to be there until the January Copa Pódio show. Publicity photo.
Even after the torrential downpour that pounded Rio de Janeiro last week, Rodolfo Vieira remains intact on beachside Copabacana, his face betraying euphoria, his hands raised in celebration. But there’s something threatening the likeness of the current heavyweight world champion, built of sand at the Copa Pódio promotion’s behest.
According to the promoters, the sculpture of the beast from GFTeam will endure until January 13, a Sunday, the new date for the event (it was moved to not conflict with the Saturday UFCs). After that… “The fans picked Rodolfo, and the sand sculpture of him was well-deserved. However, by popular request, the first champion of the Heavyweight Grand Prix will be the next one honored on Copacabana Beach. If Rodolfo wins at Hebraica Club, his statue will remain. If he’s outdone, Copacabana will have a new Jiu-Jitsu champion sculpted in sand,” states Jeferson Maycá, the promoter of the event.
And the Copa Pódio Heavyweight GP will be no walk on the beach for Rodolfo. Confirmed on the roster are Léo Nogueira, absolute runner-up at the last Worlds; Xande Ribeiro; Alexandre Souza; and a number of other top-tier competitors. There’s also the final berth in the open weight division, which will be filled this coming weekend. According to GRACIEMAG.com’s sources, the gi-clad beast to fill the final spot will be from either team Gracie Barra or CheckMat. Who do you figure, gentle reader?
Further news regarding the Copa Pódio event targets Jiu-Jitsu fans across the planet. The promoters have struck a deal whereby the show will be broadcast live over the internet, with commentary in English and Portuguese, so fans may watch from wherever they may be. Professor Raphael Abi-Rihan will be one of the commentators.
Check out the card, and check back for further news here, on your favorite Jiu-Jitsu site.
Copa Pódio – Heavyweight GP
Clube Hebraica, Rio de Janeiro, RJ
January 13, 2013
PÓDIO SUPER CHALLENGE
Guto Campos vs Wancler Oliveira (Guto Campos defende o título pela terceira vez)
COUPLES COMBAT
Augusto Tanquinho vs Davi Ramos
Mackenzie Dern vs Marina Ribeiro
INTER-CITY CHALLENGE
Diego Borges (Manaus) vs Murilo Santana (São Paulo)
SPECIAL MATCH-UP
Leandro Lo vs Felipe Preguiça
HEAVWEIGHT GP
Alexandre Souza (Gracie Floripa/Florianópolis)
Alexandro Ceconi (Ceconi Team/Criciúma)
Antonio Braga Neto (Gordo JJ/Porto Velho)
Bruno Bastos (Nova União USA)
Caio Monstro (Nova União/Fortaleza)
João Gabriel Rocha (Soul Fighters/Rio de Janeiro)
Léo Nogueira (Alliance/São Paulo)
Rodolfo Vieira (GFTeam/Rio de Janeiro)
Xande Ribeiro (Ribeiro JJ)
??? (CheckMat or Gracie Barra)