Leonardo Xavier
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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.
In May, 2008, Leonardo was promoted by Royler Gracie to the rank of third degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
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[edit] Instructor Lineage:
Sr. Mitsuo "Count Koma" Maeda → Carlos Gracie Sr. → Hélio Gracie → Royler Gracie → Leonardo Xavier
[edit] Accomplshments in the Art or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu:
- 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.
[edit] 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 the Houston, 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 the Spike TV reality television series The Ultimate Fighter.
Leo has several associated schools, including Redline Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Edmond, Oklahoma, Tulsa Top Team in Tulsa, LX Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu of Houma in Louisiana, and other schools in Texas, Louisiana, and New Jersey.
[edit] References
- International Federation of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. World Championship, Results. ibjjf.com.
