Julio Cesar Pereira takes aim at IBJJF Grand Slam as a Red-and-White Belt
Julio Cesar Pereira takes aim at IBJJF Grand Slam as a Red-and-White Belt
Back on the competitive mats, Master Júlio conquered the gold in the Master 7 division of this year's Euros and seeks an unprecedent feat in the sport
A lifetime dedicated to Jiu-Jitsu is not for everyone. Only a select group of masters earns the right to wear a rank above the already prestigious black belt. Among them, some continue testing themselves in competition, and at the recent IBJJF European Jiu-Jitsu Championship, history was made when red-and-white belt Júlio César Pereira stepped onto the mats and claimed the gold.
Founder and leader of GFTeam, 60-year-old Júlio competed in the Master 7 heavyweight division proudly wearing his red-and-white belt, an eighth-degree black belt distinction that comes right after the coral belt. Introduced by the IBJJF in 2023, this rank now separates the seventh and eighth degrees, which were previously grouped under the coral belt.
With decades of experience, Júlio dominated his division, securing two victories to take the title. He finished his first match with a choke and passed the guard in the final to take his second win with a 3-0 score. However, Júlio's return to the competitive mats was motivated by something more important than medals: His health.
"I needed to get back to training for my well-being, and for me, training only makes sense if I'm competing. I've always been like that. My blood sugar was high, and I was drinking a lot of soda. My doctor Theodoro Canal guided me through a better diet. I stopped drinking soda, adjusted my nutrition, and felt much better in my fights."
Despite his legendary status, Júlio remains a grounded individual. Always referring to himself as "one of the GFTeam teachers," he prefers not to create distance between himself and other competitors. He has committed himself to standing alongside his students throughout the season, both on their corners and on the battlefield.
"The belt doesn't go to my head. In fact, I prefer not to be called 'master.' I value the connection with my athletes, students, and friends when they just call me by my name. My first tournament was in 1974, in Rio de Janeiro, and I've been ready to fight ever since. I'm aiming to complete the IBJJF Grand Slam this year. Fighting makes me feel alive."
The IBJJF Euros also saw three other masters compete while proudly wearing their coral belts. Wellington "Megaton" Dias, a coral belt, entered the Master 6 lightweight division and took the gold; Jeremias Cassemiro, also with a coral belt, won the Master 6 featherweight division; and Paulo Sérgio, another coral belt, claimed the Master 7 featherweight title.
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