Jiu-jitsu community honors, remembers Leandro Lo

On Sunday, the jiu-jitsu community awoke to the news of the tragic death of multiple-time world champion Leandro Lo. Lo was shot in the head following an altercation at a Sao Paulo nightclub; he was 33-years old.

One of the sport’s most accomplished current competitors, Lo was a staggering eight-time IBJJF world champion that competed and won across a variety of weight classes. His most recent performance at the 2022 IBJJF Worlds was perhaps his most impressive, as he won gold without a single point scored against him.

A black belt under Cicero Costha, Lo competed at a world class level since beginning in 2011 and won his first black belt world championship in 2012.

More than just a tenacious and active competitor, people in the jiu-jitsu community have been quick to remember Lo as a happy, friendly, lighthearted soul. He is seen smiling in nearly every picture, and there are countless videos of Lo dancing.

Lo’s tragic killing has reverberated throughout the community, with friends, competitors and coaches all sharing heartfelt remembrances of the legendary character.

Opponent and occasional training partner Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida

Lo’s frequent home base for training, Unity Jiu-Jitsu

Lo’s friend and opponent Felipe Pena

Opponent and ADCC world champion Augusto Mendes

Coach Cicero Costha

Opponent and world champion Romulo Barral

World champion Mikey Musumeci

Elite competitor Roberto Jimenez

Top coach John Danaher

Multiple time ADCC and world champion Gabi Garcia

World champion Matheus Gabriel

Elite competitor and FloGrappling commentator Kendall Reusing

Legendary competitor Roger Gracie

Retired competitor and FloGrappling commentator Caio Terra

Legendary competitor Paulo Miyao

Elite retired competitor and coach Ricardo Liborio

Elite competitor Rafael Lovato Jr.

World and ADCC champion Roberto “Cyborg” Abreu

Top competitors Kade and Tye Ruotolo

Legendary competitor Andre Galvao

Current elite competitor Devhonte Johnson

Current elite competitor Nicholas Meregali

Ben Coate

Ben has been involved with grappling, whether through wrestling or Brazilian jiu-jitsu, essentially his entire life. After wrestling throughout his childhood, Ben found Brazilian jiu-jitsu as a young adult and quickly fell in love. He has been training for over ten years and holds the rank of black belt, and remains involved in both the MMA and BJJ scene. Ben has been writing about combat sports since 2017. He has interviewed and profiled some of MMA's biggest stars, including multiple UFC champions.

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