Leonardo Xavier

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Leonardo "The Wizard" Pinheiro Xavier, was born January 3, 1976, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. At the age of 5, Leo ventured into his first martial art, taking judo in school. At the age of 13 Leo began to take Tae Kwon Do classes. Finally, a friend introduced him to Brazilian 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 coach Saulo Ribeiro and Royler Gracie. He is one of an elite group who have had the privilege of teaching Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at Gracie Humaitá.

Leo's other accomplshments in the art or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu include:

Multiple Medals at the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship
2006 Pan-American Games Champion
Two Time Brazilian National Champion
Multiple Time Rio 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 Champion

Leo is also considered a World Class Referee of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Submission Wrestling.

More recently, a student invited Leo to come to the United States to give several seminars. Leo liked the United States and he realized that he loved teaching his 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 very excited about developing and expanding Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the Houston, Texas area, where he currently lives operates a school.

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 is the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coach of Kristian Rothaermel, a competitor on the Spike TV reality television series The Ultimate Fighter 3.

Leo has several associated schools, including Redline Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Edmond, Oklahoma, Tulsa Top Team in Tulsa, NOLA BJJ in New Orleans, and other schools in Texas, Louisiana, and New Jersey.