IBJJFJun 20, 2017 by FloGrappling Staff
The #1 Purple Belt In The World Shows He's Got What It Takes At Brown Too
The #1 Purple Belt In The World Shows He's Got What It Takes At Brown Too
Victor Hugo is another 20-year-old with a star future ahead of him.
The winner of the heavyweight bracket at the Royal II Invitational was a newly-promoted brown belt, coming off his third world title at purple belt (2016 weight and absolute, 2017 weight) and #1 in the world in the IBJJF rankings. Victor Hugo is another 20-year-old with a star future ahead of him.
Hugo started training jiu jitsu at Team DBK Jiu-Jitsu under Ricardo Costa in Fortaleza, Brazil at the age of 14 because his dad wanted to occupy his time outside of school. The curiosity and passion grew over the years. The young purple belt -- champion of all the major IBJJF tournaments -- has dedicated himself to training with Saulo and Xande Ribeiro in San Diego, CA since September 2016.
Victor Hugo on top at the IBJJF 2017 World Championships. Photo: Michael Sears
"Last year I came for the camp before Worlds Nogi and stayed some months, and returned this year for the competition circuit. I had a chance to stay with Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu -- where I would be accompanied by legends of jiu-jitsu, Saulo and Xande -- training with great competitors. This was the biggest decision of my life and today I feel blessed to be doing what I love next to great people."
The pursuit of titles is not the only goal in Victor's life; he values the connections and friends he meets along the journey as well as the various cultures he is able to experience. The sacrifice to live this lifestyle was leaving his college studies well into his third semester, as well as leaving his family in Brazil to be in the US.
Victor Hugo didn't leave Brazil without first spreading the love of the mats to his family. His mom, dad, cousin, and uncles all train jiu-jitsu now, too.
At the Royal, Hugo had four matches, one of which was controversial. In the semi-final against Caio Terra's student Rudson Mateus, there was a stoppage due to Mateus injuring his knee and initially Victor was declared the winner. He was called back to the mat to continue the fight and lost the match by points, but since Rudson was unable to continue due to said injury, Victor went into the final to replace him and submitted his opponent with a rear naked choke in under two minutes.
The ultra-heavyweight has plans to continue training in San Diego and most recently was awarded a certificate of completion from the Ribeiro Jiu-JItsu Association instructor's course. At his new belt, Victor expects to continue his domination and is already planning to keep the momentum all the way through to black belt.
Victoe Hugo with Shawn Fowler (left) and Bear Quitugua (right). Photo: Tommy Tadeo
2017 World championships: Gold, ultra heavy. Silver, absolute.
2017 Pan: Gold, ultra heavy. Silver, absolute.
2017 Europeans: : Gold, ultra heavy. Silver, absolute.
2016 World championships: Gold, super heavy. Gold, absolute.
Hugo started training jiu jitsu at Team DBK Jiu-Jitsu under Ricardo Costa in Fortaleza, Brazil at the age of 14 because his dad wanted to occupy his time outside of school. The curiosity and passion grew over the years. The young purple belt -- champion of all the major IBJJF tournaments -- has dedicated himself to training with Saulo and Xande Ribeiro in San Diego, CA since September 2016.
Victor Hugo on top at the IBJJF 2017 World Championships. Photo: Michael Sears
"Last year I came for the camp before Worlds Nogi and stayed some months, and returned this year for the competition circuit. I had a chance to stay with Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu -- where I would be accompanied by legends of jiu-jitsu, Saulo and Xande -- training with great competitors. This was the biggest decision of my life and today I feel blessed to be doing what I love next to great people."
The pursuit of titles is not the only goal in Victor's life; he values the connections and friends he meets along the journey as well as the various cultures he is able to experience. The sacrifice to live this lifestyle was leaving his college studies well into his third semester, as well as leaving his family in Brazil to be in the US.
Victor Hugo didn't leave Brazil without first spreading the love of the mats to his family. His mom, dad, cousin, and uncles all train jiu-jitsu now, too.
At the Royal, Hugo had four matches, one of which was controversial. In the semi-final against Caio Terra's student Rudson Mateus, there was a stoppage due to Mateus injuring his knee and initially Victor was declared the winner. He was called back to the mat to continue the fight and lost the match by points, but since Rudson was unable to continue due to said injury, Victor went into the final to replace him and submitted his opponent with a rear naked choke in under two minutes.
The ultra-heavyweight has plans to continue training in San Diego and most recently was awarded a certificate of completion from the Ribeiro Jiu-JItsu Association instructor's course. At his new belt, Victor expects to continue his domination and is already planning to keep the momentum all the way through to black belt.
Victoe Hugo with Shawn Fowler (left) and Bear Quitugua (right). Photo: Tommy Tadeo
Victor Hugo credentials:
#1-ranked IBJJF purple belt 2016-2017 season2017 World championships: Gold, ultra heavy. Silver, absolute.
2017 Pan: Gold, ultra heavy. Silver, absolute.
2017 Europeans: : Gold, ultra heavy. Silver, absolute.
2016 World championships: Gold, super heavy. Gold, absolute.