From anxiety to triumph: How Jiu-Jitsu transformed Brazilian athlete Ribeiro's Life

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Guilherme Ribeiro, a young athlete from Cohab Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Club, competed at the Abu Dhabi World Youth Jiu-Jitsu Championship, part of the ongoing Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, held at Mubadala Arena.

His journey is a powerful testament to how jiu-jitsu can foster resilience, discipline, and personal growth, transforming lives in profound ways. At 15 years old, Ribeiro competed in the Boys GI, Teen, Green, 84kg category, showcasing his remarkable journey from struggle to success. "I have been an athlete since 2017. Today, I'm a green belt, and I love what I do," he shared.

Ribeiro recounted a challenging period in 2018 when anxiety prevented him from competing. This setback kept him away from the sport and made him question whether he would ever return. Despite the difficulties, Ribeiro credited his parents for their unwavering support.

"My parents never gave up on me, and after nearly a year, I returned to the mats and started competing in local championships," he explained. His parents' dedication played a pivotal role in his journey.

"They funded my participation in every competition I wanted. Gradually, I understood that with their support, I could follow my path without fear. My family was with me every step of the way," Ribeiro said.

Over time, he regained his confidence and earned the opportunity to compete on an international stage. "Competing at the Abu Dhabi World Youth Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2023 has been special," he said.

Earlier this year, Ribeiro faced another obstacle when health issues disrupted his training for several weeks. "I faced health problems shortly before boarding and didn't train for weeks, but I came anyway because this competition means a lot to my career," he noted.

"Jiu-jitsu embodies noble values such as discipline, respect, confidence, and the ability to handle failure. These values greatly contributed to my journey." Ribeiro concluded.

The Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship continues at Mubadala Arena in Zayed Sports City until November 16, bringing together more than 9,000 athletes from 137 countries.