IBJJFOct 27, 2017 by Vitor Freitas
Beatriz Mesquita Reveals Her Secret To Jiu-Jitsu Success
Beatriz Mesquita Reveals Her Secret To Jiu-Jitsu Success
Beatriz Mesquita, 26, is one of the biggest stars in jiu-jitsu.
Beatriz Mesquita is one of the biggest stars in jiu-jitsu, either gi or no-gi. But the 26-year-old doesn't believe the secret to her success is something that can be easily trained.
Instead, she says it comes from within.
"The goal of jiu-jitsu is to submit. So, there's nothing better than to fight going forward, hunting for the finish," Mesquita says. I often say that victory is the consequence of a good match. And this is what I seek every time I get on the mat."
In September, the Gracie Humaita black belt won gold at ADCC in the -60kg division, ending the tournament with a 100 percent submission rate: first an armbar against the UK's Ffion Davies in the quarterfinals, then a footlock against Michelle Nicolini in the semifinals, and lastly a rear-naked choke to beat Bianca Basilio in the final.
Mesquita is returning to the gi this weekend at the IBJJF Rio BJJ Pro, where she will be in search of more than just gold: A nice cash prize also awaits the winner of the female absolute division.
Beatriz winning gold at ADCC 2017. Photo: Hywel Teague / FloGrappling
Mesquita claimed a number of major titles in 2017 in addition to ADCC. She was champion at the Abu Dhabi World Pro in April and won the IBJJF European championship in January. However, she missed out on two gold medals, taking silver at both IBJJF Pans and Worlds.
"I learned a lot though, is the main thing," she says.
At the highest levels of the sport there is little separating the athletes, who are all physically, technically, and mentally well prepared.
"Really, the biggest difficulty was to adapt the positions, but it ended up happening naturally," she says. "I trained a lot of no-gi since the IBJJF Worlds. I had plenty of time to hone my game."
Without hesitation, Mesquita can easily sum up the feeling of winning ADCC.
"Just happiness!" she says. "I really wanted to win ADCC and I finally conquered the dream title that was missing in my career. In fact, it still hasn't sunk in."
Photo: Michael Sears
Hailing from the nearby coastal town of Saquarema, Mesquita is hoping she has another reason to celebrate in her return to Rio this weekend.
"No doubt, fighting at home gives me butterflies in my stomach," she says. "But I'm not afraid to lose.
Instead, she says it comes from within.
"The goal of jiu-jitsu is to submit. So, there's nothing better than to fight going forward, hunting for the finish," Mesquita says. I often say that victory is the consequence of a good match. And this is what I seek every time I get on the mat."
In September, the Gracie Humaita black belt won gold at ADCC in the -60kg division, ending the tournament with a 100 percent submission rate: first an armbar against the UK's Ffion Davies in the quarterfinals, then a footlock against Michelle Nicolini in the semifinals, and lastly a rear-naked choke to beat Bianca Basilio in the final.
Mesquita is returning to the gi this weekend at the IBJJF Rio BJJ Pro, where she will be in search of more than just gold: A nice cash prize also awaits the winner of the female absolute division.
Beatriz winning gold at ADCC 2017. Photo: Hywel Teague / FloGrappling
Mesquita claimed a number of major titles in 2017 in addition to ADCC. She was champion at the Abu Dhabi World Pro in April and won the IBJJF European championship in January. However, she missed out on two gold medals, taking silver at both IBJJF Pans and Worlds.
"I learned a lot though, is the main thing," she says.
At the highest levels of the sport there is little separating the athletes, who are all physically, technically, and mentally well prepared.
"Really, the biggest difficulty was to adapt the positions, but it ended up happening naturally," she says. "I trained a lot of no-gi since the IBJJF Worlds. I had plenty of time to hone my game."
Without hesitation, Mesquita can easily sum up the feeling of winning ADCC.
"Just happiness!" she says. "I really wanted to win ADCC and I finally conquered the dream title that was missing in my career. In fact, it still hasn't sunk in."
Photo: Michael Sears
Hailing from the nearby coastal town of Saquarema, Mesquita is hoping she has another reason to celebrate in her return to Rio this weekend.
"No doubt, fighting at home gives me butterflies in my stomach," she says. "But I'm not afraid to lose.
As the saying goes, 'Be bolder than your fears.' And I think that no matter how many titles I have or how many major championships I win, I will always come to fight head-on and in search of victory, as this is what makes real champions.