Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida, Gle and Leo Vieira Get US Citizenship

One of the greatest BJJ athletes of all time, Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida, has finally been awarded US Citizenship alongside his longtime friends and training partners, Leo and Gle Vieira. Buchecha has been living in the US for just over ten years and has been in the process of obtaining full citizenship for some time.

Buchecha became the most decorated athlete in IBJJF history when he surpassed the legendary Roger Gracie’s record of 10 World Championships almost three years ago. Since then, he’s continually improved on that record and has now made it to a total of 13 IBJJF World Championships after winning both his weight-class and the Openweight division at last year’s event.

The two most decorated IBJJF athletes in history have even faced off as recently as a three years ago and the full match between Buchecha and Roger Gracie can be seen here. Leo Vieira and his wife, Gle, obtained US Citizenship alongside Buchecha and were all celebrating together.

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It’s been 10 years already since the 20 years old kid from Katiapoa , São Vicente came to US with $1000 Dollars to compete at Worlds No Gi and supposed to go back to Brazil after the competition and start college because I thought the sport wouldn’t be a option for me to make a living of of it. Luckily or not I won the competition and become World Champion for the first time so I felt hope in the sport again, I missed my flight back home and tried to stay here, without a place to stay, without a car and a couple hundred dollars in my pocket. That was the best choice that I have done in my life, 10 years later I became an American Citizen, I became one of the biggest competitors of my sport, saw my name in the Guinness Book as the biggest record holder of the sport, traveled around the World doing what I love , teaching and competing, met so many people and had amazing experiences. I can say I’m living the Life That I have always dreamed of. Really happy to be sharing this moment with @leovieirabjj and Gle and watching a movie in our heads reminding us of the highs and lows during our journey until today. Thank you So much for everything United States of America. ???????????????????????? ••••••••• ????????????????????????LEGENDA EM PORTUGUÊS NOS COMENTÁRIOS ABAIXO ????????????????????????????????

A post shared by Marcus Almeida (@marcusbuchecha) on Jan 23, 2020 at 10:15am PST

“It’s been 10 years already since the 20 years old kid from Katiapoa , São Vicente came to US with $1000 Dollars to compete at Worlds No Gi and supposed to go back to Brazil after the competition and start college because I thought the sport wouldn’t be a option for me to make a living of of it. Luckily or not I won the competition and become World Champion for the first time so I felt hope in the sport again, I missed my flight back home and tried to stay here, without a place to stay, without a car and a couple hundred dollars in my pocket.
That was the best choice that I have done in my life, 10 years later I became an American Citizen, I became one of the biggest competitors of my sport, saw my name in the Guinness Book as the biggest record holder of the sport, traveled around the World doing what I love , teaching and competing, met so many people and had amazing experiences. I can say I’m living the Life That I have always dreamed of.
Really happy to be sharing this moment with @leovieirabjj and Gle and watching a movie in our heads reminding us of the highs and lows during our journey until today.
Thank you So much for everything United States of America.”