How A Surprise Defeat Enabled Patrick Gaudio To Win His First Major Title
How A Surprise Defeat Enabled Patrick Gaudio To Win His First Major Title
After a disappointing loss at the ADCC Trials, Patrick Gaudio talks about bouncing back to win a gold medal at the IBJJF Pans -- his first major title as a black belt.
After a disappointing loss at the ADCC Trials, Patrick Gaudio talks about bouncing back to win a gold medal at the IBJJF Pans -- his first major title as a black belt.
Patrick Gaudio has fresh wind in his sails. The GFTeam black belt from Rio de Janeiro is one of the new generation of top level-competitors. The 23-year-old became the IBJJF Pan medium heavyweight champion after beating the always-dangerous Lucas 'Hulk' Barbosa of Atos.
Patrick Gaudio shoots the winning takedown in the finals of the medium heavyweight black belt division at the IBJJF Pan Jiu-Jitsu Championship. Photo: Chase Smith / FloGrappling
Before transforming sweat into gold in California, Gaudio needed to move on from the surprising defeat to the up-and-coming purple belt Kaynan Duarte in the final of the ADCC Trials in Rio de Janeiro back in February.
"I felt good in the ADCC Trials, I was training a lot of no-gi with my friends," says Gaudio. "I did a lot of takedowns with Victor Honorio, who has an incredible arsenal of these techniques."
"I ended up losing to Kaynan, a really talented kid. He has his strengths, I think he finished almost all of his matches up to the final. Some people said to me, "Wow, you lost to a purple belt…" but those who compete know that there on the mat there's a 50-50 chance of winning or losing."
The only thing that changed after this was I left the no-gi training alone and put my gi back on. I trained hard, I dedicated my heart and mind to the Pans," says Gaudio.
The final match for gold was a familiar face for Gaudio. He and Lucas 'Hulk' have fought since they were purple belts in local tournaments in Rio de Janeiro. For Patrick, knowing his opponent's game well helped during the match.
"We've known each other a long time, and we know each other's games. The victory was down to who made fewer mistakes, and this time I came away the winner. He's an amazing athlete and I have a lot of respect for him as an opponent and a person."
Next up for Gaudio are the Brazilian Nationals and the IBJJF Worlds. However, he's not quite given up on his dream of the ADCC just yet.
Patrick Gaudio has fresh wind in his sails. The GFTeam black belt from Rio de Janeiro is one of the new generation of top level-competitors. The 23-year-old became the IBJJF Pan medium heavyweight champion after beating the always-dangerous Lucas 'Hulk' Barbosa of Atos.
Patrick Gaudio shoots the winning takedown in the finals of the medium heavyweight black belt division at the IBJJF Pan Jiu-Jitsu Championship. Photo: Chase Smith / FloGrappling
Before transforming sweat into gold in California, Gaudio needed to move on from the surprising defeat to the up-and-coming purple belt Kaynan Duarte in the final of the ADCC Trials in Rio de Janeiro back in February.
"I felt good in the ADCC Trials, I was training a lot of no-gi with my friends," says Gaudio. "I did a lot of takedowns with Victor Honorio, who has an incredible arsenal of these techniques."
"I ended up losing to Kaynan, a really talented kid. He has his strengths, I think he finished almost all of his matches up to the final. Some people said to me, "Wow, you lost to a purple belt…" but those who compete know that there on the mat there's a 50-50 chance of winning or losing."
The only thing that changed after this was I left the no-gi training alone and put my gi back on. I trained hard, I dedicated my heart and mind to the Pans," says Gaudio.
The final match for gold was a familiar face for Gaudio. He and Lucas 'Hulk' have fought since they were purple belts in local tournaments in Rio de Janeiro. For Patrick, knowing his opponent's game well helped during the match.
"We've known each other a long time, and we know each other's games. The victory was down to who made fewer mistakes, and this time I came away the winner. He's an amazing athlete and I have a lot of respect for him as an opponent and a person."
Next up for Gaudio are the Brazilian Nationals and the IBJJF Worlds. However, he's not quite given up on his dream of the ADCC just yet.
I still dream about an ADCC invite, it doesn't hurt to dream. I hope I could have the opportunity to fight in this event.