Fernando Tererê celebrates victory. Photo by Jair Lacerda.
A Jiu-Jitsu hero who lost his way some years back, Fernando Augusto “Tererê” made his return to Brazil’s mats after a long layoff when he took on Barbosa Jiu-Jitsu rep Guilherme Carturam in a supermatch at Campeonato Nacional in São Paulo. There, Fernando rediscovered his winning ways in his classic style: hook-sweeping and finishing up with a choke.
In the following conversation with GRACIEMAG.com, Tererê addresses his match against Guilherme, how he came up with the submission, training with Fabio Gurgel, as well as the IBJJF European Championship in Lisbon, Portugal, where he says he will be taking to the mats in competition.
GRACIEMAG? How did the supermatch with Guilherme Carturam go?
FERNANDO TERERÊ: It was a tough one. I’m facing more and more different opponents. That’s a good thing, since I’m getting to test myself. I still respect all my opponents just like I just to; I’m just not fearing any of them.
You managed to win by choke. How did you make it to his back?
Right when the match started I managed to hook sweep him, and right after that I landed in his half-guard. At that moment, I started attacking with a choke from half-guard. With the pressure from the hold, he defended by turning his back to me. So I took his back and finished with a lapel choke. I’d been working on submission adjustments with Victor Genovesi and Elan Santiago so as not to miss any opportunities.
You spent a week training at Alliance São Paulo. How did that go?
It’s always great to catch up with Fabio Gurgel, especially when he takes you aside and puts you through the wringer. I always learn things when I’m around him. Fabio has a lot of wisdom to pass on to those who he likes, and I’m so glad to be one of them.
You’re returning to serious training with the team. How do you see your evolution coming?
I’m managing to evolve thanks to the people I have around me. My family, my trainers, training partners, my sponsor Casca-grossa Fightwear. I’m training really hard, three times a day. I want to be better than I was before–not just at Jiu-Jitsu, but as a person too.
You’ve said you’re going to compete in the adult division at the January 2013 European Open. How are your plans coming along?
Everything’s going great. I’m dedicated to competing in the adult age group, not to belittle the people my age. I spent a long time at the top of the middleweight division; I know there are a lot of great athletes at that weight but I’m fully dedicated to winning gold against them. Who know?
