IBJJF World and Pan champion Leandro Lo has added his name among the competitors scheduled to square off at the upcoming European Championships in Lisbon, Portugal, on Jan. 17-22. 

Lo, who took gold at both Worlds and Pans last year as a medium heavyweight, has moved up a division and will compete at heavyweight (94.3kg / 208lb). 

Watch the IBJJF 2017 European Championships LIVE on FloGrappling on Jan. 17-22

A quick scan of the divisions will tell you that Lo's choice could be down to the fact he has two students already entered in the medium heavyweight division: Matheus Spirandeli and Vinicius Carvalho. 

Or, it could be that Lo's notorious appetite and love of Coca-Cola and fries means he had a heavy holiday season. 

Either way, the man you voted for as 2016 FloGrappling Black Belt of the Year and winner of the Gi Match of the Year will compete at a new weight class for the start of 2017. 

Lo began his career as a lightweight, competing at his first world championships as a black belt in 2011. He has steadily moved up through the divisions over the years, aided by a comprehensive strength and conditioning program. 

Putting it in perspective, look at the world titles Lo has won and how he's consistently moved up over time. 
• 2012 IBJJF lightweight world champion
• 2013 IBJJF lightweight world champion
• 2014 IBJJF middleweight world champion
• 2015 IBJJF medium heavyweight world champion 
• 2016 IBJJF medium heavyweight world champion

Related post: Leandro Lo's Outdoor Strength Workout

Take a look at Leandro's division so far -- registration closes on Jan. 8, so more names could still sign up. 

BLACK / Adult / Male / Heavy
Jesse Juhani Urholin - Alliance International
Adam Wardzinski - CheckMat International
Tyrone Gonsalves - Clube Omar Salum Jiu-Jitsu
Alberto Gonzalez Ortiz - Crazy Team
Helvecio Augusto M. Penna Neto - De La Riva JJ
Rodolpho Paulo Oliveira do Bonfim - GF Team
Marek Pawel Zbrog - Gracie Barra Birmingham
Antonio Carlos F. Ferraz Ferreira - Guigo JJ
Samuel Monin - Hagakuré 83
Hassine Azarkan - Icon Jiu-Jitsu
Leandro Lo Pereira do Nascimento - Ns Brotherhood
Nicolas E. Penzer - PAT Academy Belgium
Leonardo de Freitas Costa - Rodrigo Reis Jiu-Jitsu Team
Rodrigo Ferreira Reis - Rodrigo Reis Jiu-Jitsu Team
Felipe Mota Dias - Roger Gracie Academy Norway
Matheus Rodrigues P. S. V. da Silva - Stone Fight
Total: 16

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