Bia Mesquita has already achieved good results this season. Luca Atalla/ Gallerr
Twenty-five-year-old Bia Mesquita boarded a plane to Abu Dhabi this Tuesday the 18th seeking her fourth World Pro title. She will weigh in on Wednesday and fight on Thursday at the Ipic Arena.
“I’m very excited to fight,” she tells Graciemag. “I quite enjoy fighting in Abu Dhabi. I climbed the podium each time I competed there. I’ve lost three finals, but I also won three golds and will seek another title. Last year I did the final with Bianca Basilio, a strong athlete who has been carving out her space. She was still a brown-belt, and she beat black-belts who were favorites all the way to the final. Thank God I managed to impose my game, and we did a very close fight. I was winning by just two advantages when I was able to finish via leg lock.
“I want to continue to defend my titles and conquer as much as I can. Now I only aim to continue to be a good example and an inspiration to the girls who dream of reaching the position I’m in today. I started training at five; I’ve built an incredible career. I have many conquests and some trip-ups as well. This has made me a determined, persistent person. I want to show that it’s worth fighting for one’s dreams.
“I still dream of the ADCC title. I don’t know what the invite situation is like, but I still have hope of being invited to take part this year. It is the only title I have not won yet; I was only able to go once, which was in 2015. But I am willing to show I’m able to win that title as well.”
