Bitetti in photo by Carlos Ozório
The first ever absolute champion of world Jiu-Jitsu, Amaury Bitetti was always known for his solid, almost unsweepable, base. To this day he is remembered for his posture.
“One exercize I’d do a lot was run on the beach and up the hill with someone on my back. My legs got really strong; no one could get be to budge,” remembers the Rio de Janeiro native.
Amaury also revealed what he did in training to become one of the most consistent athletes, besides being considered the best competitor of the nineteen nineties, one of the jewels in Carlson Gracie’s crown.
“The moves I practiced most were guard passing and takedowns,” he reveals, almost 15 years after the 1997 World Championship.
But what’s Amaury’s secret? What were the stepping stones that got him there?
“I’d always do 20 repetitions on each side for each position for an hour and a half, besides sparring. With that kind of dedication, any fighter will make it to the top.”
Below, some more of Bitetti’s tricks at de la Riva’s gym:
