Lúcio Largarto fighting in a final at the 2017 European Championship. Max Rose-Fyne
At 36, after a long competitive journey, Lúcio Largarto is retiring. The announcement came silently after he won silver last Sunday. On his knees on the mat, he stretched his black belt before him an paid reverence.
Although he lost that final to Mahamed Aly, his career was a winning one. He won double gold at the first European Championship in 2004, his first year as a black-belt. The last of four titles came in 2015, but the most memorable one was in 2011, after he beat his biggest foe.
Lagarto was diagnosed with cancer in 2007, and he was told he could no longer practice or compete in BJJ. He recovered and won the super-heavyweight division at the 2011 Euro, defeating Rafael Lovato in the final.
Remember Lagarto’s 2011 triumph and leave your message to the Gracie Barra instructor.
