- Leonardo Xavier
Leonardo "The Wizard" Pinheiro Xavier, was born
January 3 ,1976 , inRio de Janeiro, Brazil . At the age of 5, Leo ventured into his first martial art, takingjudo in school. At the age of 13 Leo began to takeTae Kwon Do classes. Finally, a friend introduced him toBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu .Leo immediately became good friends with his coach,
Saulo Ribeiro . Under Saulo’s watchful eye, Leo began to successfully compete in local and regional tournaments in Brazil and, while he was still a blue belt, Leo began to help his coach with classes. Leo trained during this time at the legendary birthplace of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu,Gracie Humaitá gym in Rio. In 1999, Leo realized his dream of being promoted to black belt from the hands of his coachSaulo Ribeiro andRoyler Gracie . He is one of an elite group who have had the privilege of teaching Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu atGracie Humaitá .In May, 2008, Leonardo was promoted by Royler Gracie to the rank of third degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Instructor Lineage:
Sr. Mitsuo "Count Koma" Maeda → Carlos Gracie Sr. → Hélio Gracie → Royler Gracie → Leonardo Xavier
Accomplshments in the Art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu:
*Multiple Medals at the
World Jiu-Jitsu Championship
*2006Pan-American Games Champion
*Two TimeBrazil ian National Champion
*Multiple TimeRio de Janeiro State Champion
*Instructor of many International and Pan American BJJ Champions
*Instructor of the 2005 International Grappling Festival Overall Team Champion
*Instructor of the 2006 Elite Grapplers Championship Overall Team Champion
*Instructor of the 2006 GC Championship Overall Team ChampionLeo is also considered a World Class Referee of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and
Submission Wrestling .Relocation to the United States:
In 2003, Xavier traveled to the United States to give several seminars. He liked the United States and realized that he loved teaching his style of Jiu-Jitsu. Leo now intends to remain in the United States to continue his work and efforts to develop Jiu-Jitsu in the
United States . Leo is currently developing and expanding Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in theHouston, Texas area, where he lives and operates a school at Safety America Martial Arts in Sugarland, Texas.In just a short time, Leo’s students have enjoyed a great deal of success in local, regional, national and even international competitions - winning many tournaments, including the prestigious International Masters and the
Pan American Games . Leo has coached several competitors from theSpike TV reality television series The Ultimate Fighter .Leo has several associated schools, including Redline Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in
Edmond, Oklahoma , Oklahoma Fight Club inTulsa, Oklahoma , LX Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu of Houma, Louisiana, and other schools inTexas ,Louisiana , andNew Jersey .References
# International Federation of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. [http://www.ibjjf.org/worlds.htm World Championship] , [http://www.ibjjf.org/results.htm Results] . "ibjjf.com".
External links
* [http://www.lxbjj.com/ Official Website]
* [http://www.academiagracie.com.br/ Academia Gracie Jiu-Jitsu]
* [http://www.redlinejiujitsu.com/ Redline Jiu-Jitsu Website]
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