Daniel celebrates gold. Photo: personal archive.
Last weekend, Florida’s top Jiu-Jitsu teachers and talent converged at Miami Dade College for the IBJJF’s Miami Open. As you read here on GRACIEMAG.com, our GMA Roberto “Cyborg” Abreu won the tournament for the second time, with GFTeam’s Vitor Henrique taking second.
Now in the adult light featherweight division, Daniel Beleza of SAS took top honors. “I went through to the finals quickly, I think because I’ve been on a good winning streak; I’ve won five tournaments so far this year,” said “Beleza,” who’s been displaying refined Jiu-Jitsu technique in coming up with quick finishes.
“Although I did win by a big margin, it was a back-and-forth match, and both of us had what it took to win the gold. I was overjoyed to win, since I’ve been training hard, with guidance from a nutritionist and physical conditioning coach. Now my goal is to be champion in all the American states. First, though, I’m going to rest, since I drove all the way to Miami from York, Pennsylvania, where I live – that’s 18 hours on the road,” he added.
“Belezinha’s” next challenge will be the November 5 No-Gi Worlds in Long Beach, California.
“It’s a totally different event from what I’ve been competing at, being no-gi and all. I’ll have to tweak my technique and even physical conditioning routine, but I’ll be looking to move around a lot with my sights only on the finish,” he said in finishing.
