Thiago in final against Paulo Tarcísio. Photo: Carlos Ozório
Thiago Gaia tends to make it onto the winners’ stand at the competitions he’s in. However, he’d been having a hard time coming up with the gold medals at recent CBJJ and IBJJF competitions. At the Brazilian Nationals last Sunday, that changed. The curse was broken.
“I’ve been fighting for gold for four years. I’ve had two second places, two thirds and one third in the absolute at the Brazilian Nationals, and I also took third at the Worlds. This year I’m focused and have a tank full of gas. I didn’t want to lose for a lack of wind. I’d rather lose in Jiu-Jitsu than run out of gas,” says the Nova União representative.
And the campaign couldn’t be better. In the three matches he was in as a super heavyweight, the black belt finished his matches before the regulation ten minutes were up.
“I’ve been going for finishes and I managed them in the three matches I was in. All of them were tough, but I managed to impose my game and get the finish within ten minutes. I liked the matches and I’ll always be focused on getting the submission.”
Gaia sets up choke in final. Photo: Carlos Ozório
His participation at the Worlds is still in doubt, but Thiago promises to give everyone a hard time in 2010.
“I’m focused on the big competitions this year and I’m looking to improve in training even more. I don’t know if I’ll be at the Worlds. I’m trying to renew my visa, but I’m working on getting there,” he says in finishing.