With the Abu Dhabi World Pro just around the corner, we got in touch with a group of athletes to get their thoughts on the upcoming event. Today we’re talking to the fierce João Gabriel Batista de Sousa, most commonly known as Gabriel Sousa. The ZR Team black belt talks to us about his upcoming training, his thoughts on the competition and what it takes to be a world-beating champion.
Attack The Back: How are preparations for the Abu Dhabi World Pro going currently?
Gabriel Sousa: So far so good, training every day 6x per week, killing a lion per day to improve my weakness. I believe everything is ready: Mind, body and soul, I’ve waited a couple of years for this great moment.
ATBK: What are your hopes and expectations coming into this competition?
GS: Hopefully, everything at the end I can finish the tournament with another great performance and of course my gold medal, my belt and 2 trophies, I’m going to leave everything on the mat and get it done.
ATBK: How important is this competition to you and Jiu-Jitsu overall?
GS: The main event is no doubt the more expected tournament of the year, time to face the best competitors at each division, no giving nobody an easy way, always fun and pleasure to be part of it. For me, I have the chance to fight the best in the world and showing that our jiu-jitsu is getting on another level and becoming more and more professional.
ATBK: What do you think it takes to be an elite competitor in Jiu-Jitsu?
GS: Discipline, Effort, Motivation, humility and a lot of hard work.
sometimes you’re very good at one point but you missing something that you can’t recognize and at this time you need to talk with someone close and who understands the situation to guide your to the right direction and of course, want it more than the others.
Big thanks to Gabriel for taking the time for this quick interview, come back soon for interviews from some of Jiu-Jitsu’s top fighters!