Following one of the toughest Copa Podio Grand Prixs to date, Leandro Lo has elected to recoup his strength and has withdrawn from the upcoming IBJJF European championships in Lisbon, Portugal. 

Lo, who won six tough matches in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday January 9, says the cumulative effort of dieting and cutting weight to make 77kg (his final appearance at the weight class) combined with the rigors of training didn’t give enough time to prepare for the Europeans. 

It was a very good event for me last weekend, I was very happy with my matches and with my performance. I really wanted to fight well, I was a little bit worried – like I always am when I compete – but even more so at that weight. The fights were really tough, but I did well and I’m really happy. 

And of course, I am really happy to have won another title, in this fourth season of the Copa Podio Lightweight Grand Prix. Each time the Grand Prix gets more difficult, I had to be on top of my game.

The four-time GP champion had a total of six matches at the Copa Podio Lightweight Grand Prix, facing Davi Ramos, AJ Sousa, Lucas Lepri (twice, in the opening round and the final), Felipe Silva and Dillon Danis. 

Lo’s matches totalled 36 minutes of total time on the mat. Copa Podio’s six-minute matches are often fought at a high pace and the combined effect of the 38ºc (100ºf) temperature saw a number of competitors feel the effects of the heat during the tournament. 

Watch the highlight video of the Copa Podio Lightweight Grand Prix!