Bruno Bastos made his masters division debut. Photo: Gustavo Aragão
Ever since work to revamp its Jiu-Jitsu program began, Nova União started its gentle art tradition with solid competition results. At the Rio Open and International Master and Senior championships, the team didn’t make it to the top of the winners’ stand. However, taking second and third place, respectively, was reason for celebration.
“We began this mission two years ago. We took second at the Rio Open and third in the Masters. Buno and André Bastos made their masters division debuts. There was also Gustavo Dantas, Jair Lourenço… We had a good crew. We also entered the Worlds this year and, in 2011, we’ll go in real strong,” says a jubilant André Marola, head of the Jiu-Jitsu team.
Marola himself had a good showing, winning both his weight group and the absolute senior 1 divisions.
“I’m really happy. I had 10 matches over two days. At weight, I closed out with my dear friend Rafael Carino. In the absolute, I hurt my shoulder in the third match, but I managed to carry on. My judo worked out for me and it was a worthwhile experience. I ended the competition on the right foot,” he said in finishing.