Dimitrius Souza sinks an omoplata at the 2013 European Open. (Photo by Ivan Trindade/GRACIEMAG.com)
Dmitrius Souza won the heavyweight division of the 2013 European Championship, which wrapped up last Sunday. In the grand finale, the Alliance black belt defeated another revelation: GFTeam’s Leonardo Maciel.
“It was a marvelous feeling. It’s my first major title since getting my black belt. I hope it’s the first of many to come. I’d like to dedicate the win to my father, who passed away late last year while I was teaching some seminars. It was a hard knock because I didn’t get to say goodbye, but I know he’s there to see this title, which is for him,” said Dimitrius.
“It was a relief to win, because I’d faced Leonardo before, when I lost to him on my debut as a black belt. I knew it would be a tough match. Fortunately, everything worked out and I came out victorious,” he said.
