Helvecio Penna is a third-degree black belt from Rio de Janeiro representing the De La Riva team. 

At 56 years of age, Penna (view profile) is well-known in the jiu-jitsu community, because he always fights in the adult divisions, sometimes with men 30 years younger than him. 

Penna is an inspirational figure, a source of motivational memes that remind people age is just a number and limits are there to be overcome. 

The affable Brazilian, who trains almost every day, takes pride in the fact people look up to him. But he feels a responsibility at the same time. 

My name is out up there as a point of reference in the sense that I'm older, and that I keep trying to overcome it," Penna said. "For me it's a pleasure to inspire other people that want to try and they think it's impossible, they can't do it, they can't manage it.

Penna has had to overcome physical limitations brought on by age and extensive serious injuries picked up over a lifetime of judo and jiu-jitsu training. 

But what some people don't know is that Penna (born in 1960) didn't even start training jiu-jitsu until he was 33 years old. 

Penna's background was judo, and he was a high-level black belt in the art. When he walked into Ricardo de la Riva's academy in Copacabana in 1994, he found another element to grappling that he loved -- the smoothness and fluidity of jiu-jitsu. 

56-Year-Old Helvecio Penna Shows His Mobility

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Even though he started late in life, Penna has made his mark on jiu-jitsu. He last fought in the World Championships in 2006, when it was still held in Rio de Janeiro. 

His quarterfinal match with Xande Ribeiro is consistently mentioned as one of the best matches of the era and is often included in "Best of" compilation DVDs. 

Helvecio was 45 when he faced Ribeiro, who had submitted all of his opponents that day in under three minutes. 

Penna went toe-to-toe with Ribeiro for eight long minutes before succumbing to a triangle, but Penna won the hearts of the crowd and still remembers the noise that echoed in the gymnasium that day. 

A similar noise fills the arena when he fights at the Europeans in Lisbon, Portugal, the only international tournament he competes in. 

The energy that I feel at the Europeans, I've never felt anywhere else," Penna said. "I've never had such support from people, true affection, like at the Europeans. Whatever the result is, however I fight, they have a special affection for me.

Penna is signed up to compete in the adult heavyweight division. Another notable name in the bracket is that of Leandro Lo, and Penna is genuinely excited about the prospect of being able to face such a great champion. "I think I could make it a good match," he says. 

His goal is to compete for as long as he can and to continue to be competitive and to inspire others. Also, the aim is the same: "I look to do my best."