They are over 30 but for sure not over the hill. The ten names we listed below already signed for the 2013 Worlds because they are not afraid of facing the young guns. They’re game and they will make their presence noticed at the Long Beach Pyramid. Here they are.
Mario Reis at the 2013 Pan
1. Mario Reis (Alliance) – At 33, the featherweight from Rio Grande do Sul was once the ruler of the division. World champion in 2003 and 2004, Reis is also a record holder in podium appearances. Since 2003, he conquered at least a bronze medal in every Worlds edition. It’s very unlikely not to see Mario in one of the semifinals of the featherweight, probably against Rafael Mendes. Mario’s goal is to close out the division with teammate Rubens Cobrinha.
Rodrigo Cavaca at the 2010 Worlds
2. Rodrigo Cavaca (Checkmat) – At 32, Cavaca reached glory in the Worlds in 2010, when he defeated Roberto “Cyborg” Abreu for the ultra-heavyweight gold. Since then, a series of injuries kept Cavaca out of the game, but in 2013 he is back. He already won the Over 100kg division at the WPJJC and wants to repeat the feat in Long Beach, again closing out the division with pupil Marcus Buchecha.
Gabriel Vella at the 2013 Dallas Open
3. Gabriel Vella (Street Sports BJJ) – At 32, Vella is a two-time world champion (2002/09) that has been away for a while. He is now back and because of a intense diet he is thinner and more active than ever. His recent showing at the Dallas Open proves that Vella is ready to do some damage at the super-heavyweight division and also at the absolute.
Bruno Bastos at the 8th Arizona Open
4. Bruno Bastos (Nova União) – At 33, Bruno is a fierce competitor with a a very dangerous game. A 2010 Worlds bronze medalist, Bruno is a also a Rio Open and New York Open champion. He is registered in the super-heavyweight division and a strong contender for a spot in the semifinals.
Denilson Pimenta at the 2009 Worlds
5. Denilson Pimenta (GF Team) – At 33, Pimenta is enrolled at the featherweight division. Bronze medalist in 2010, Denilson is always a tough opponent for whoever crosses his path. He is a strong contender to be in one of the semifinals of the division, on Sunday.
Theodoro Canal
6. Theodoro Canal (GF Team) – At 32, Canal is another featherweight that has built quite a reputation as a tough opponent. A 2008 Worlds bronze medalist, Canal also has great showings at the Pan and the Brasileiro to make him a good bet for a spot at least in the quarterfinals of the division.
Murilo Santana
7. Murilo Santana (Barbosa JJ) – At 30, Murilo is the youngest of our veterans. The medium-heavy division is a tough one, but Murilo has all the experience he needs to secure a spot in the quarterfinals.
Gabriel Willcox
8. Gabriel Willcox (Brazilian Fight) – At 37, Gabriel is enrolled in the light-featherweight and has all the possibility to get at least at the quarterfinals, as he did last year. Any youngster who has to face Gabriel knows that he is in deep waters.
Eduardo Santoro
9. Eduardo Santoro (Cia Paulista) – At 37, Portugues won the absolute gold at the 1999 Worlds, as a purple belt. More recently, he placed third in the medium-heavyweight divison of the 2011 Wolrds. As the pictures shows, Santoro has important victories over well known opponents in his career.
Wellington Megaton at the 2012 Pan
10 – Wellington “Megaton” Dias (Gracie Humaita) – At 45, Megaton holds a title that no other Jiu-jitsu competitor has. He competed in every edition of the Worlds as a black belt, since 1996. Registered again in the featherweight division, 2013 has a special flavor for Mega. For the first time, he will be competing at the Worlds in the same belt rank as his daughter Mackenzie Dern, 20.
Did we forget anyone? Join the conversation in the comments area.