To be World champion is an amazing feeling, I began jiu-jitsu when I was 10, 11 years of age. I’m 22 now, and I always had this competitive side. I always dreamed of this moment, I always worked thinking about this great day. 

There were a lot of hard times, at the beginning it was really tough. My first teacher, Fabio Andrade, gave me my first gi and paid for a lot of my competitions. He was like a dad for me, it was back when my own dad was in prison, and he came into my life and took care of me. 

Watch: Isaque Bahiense Gives His World Medal to His First Coach Fabio Andrade

At the same time, I had a lot of problems. I did a lot of raffles, I would take care of parked cars, I would bag groceries at the market to get money so I could go to tournaments. I did a lot and I had to give up a lot too, like my studies. 

I moved to Sao Paulo dreaming of this day. It was hard work both on and off the mat – I had to overcome a lot of things, and today I manage to make happen this dream of becoming a World champion. My background helped condition me for this, all the tough moments I had to go through. 

The moment the dream came true... 

But I always had faith this day would come– and it came. The main thing from all of this was about overcoming: willpower, faith, belief and courage. I feel at peace now, but I want much more– I’ve won Worlds, but life goes on. 

My battle is to be a better person every day, because to be a champion is easy – I believe then we have to try to be better people, too. This is my goal – I want to win as many World titles as I can and to be a great example off the mat. 

Watch Isaque Bahiense 2018 IBJJF Worlds matches

QF: Isaque Bahiense vs Claudio Calasans – watch video

SF: Isaque Bahiense vs Jaime Canuto – watch video

Final: Isaque Bahiense vs Tommy Langaker – watch video