Rodolfo foresees defeat at 2012 Worlds, as he sees 8-7 for Bochecha on the scoreboard. He hadn't lost in the gi since 2010. Photo: Dan Rod/GRACIEMAG.
A two-time heavyweight Jiu-Jitsu champion of the world, Rodolfo Vieira took off on a seminar tour in the United States just after the 2012 Jiu-Jitsu World Championship ended, the first weekend of June.
Via Facebook, though, the GFTeam steamroller felt there were still some loose from the championship needing tying up, and he took it upon himself to clear up some things relating to his quarterfinals defeat to eventual champion Marcus Vinicius Bochecha (CheckMat). And he did so with the characteristic sincerity common to great champions.
“Now the Worlds is over, I’ll speak my mind. I felt really bad about the comments made regarding Bochecha, saying he was arrogant, that he wasn’t humble and a bunch of other unpleasant things. I’m here to tell the world that he’s none of that. Quite the contrary, he’s a superathlete and a wonderful person; the kid’s pure gold,” wrote Rodolfo.
“I messed up with him, and badly. That’s why he wasn’t friendly with me—and with good reason. I’d have done the same… We can’t go judging people without knowing them. I feel that’s a major defect of ours, isn’t it?” said the GFTeam champ.
“I’m not bringing up the subject to address the problem that happened between us – the important thing to me was that I went and talked to him afterwards and he forgave me. We need to model ourselves on people like him, not just for his first-rate Jiu-Jitsu, but because of the good person he is, the good attitude he has on and off the mat. I’m certain the title is in excellent hands. Congratulations, Frapê. You deserve even more than that, brother. Even having lost the fight, it was the best I’ve done my whole life. And that’s enough for me,” said Rodolfo Vieira in closing.
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