In a piece of news that no one saw coming, Leandro Lo has decided to register in the Medium-Heavyweight division at the 2020 Pan Championships for the first time in four years!

Perhaps in an effort to claim the absolute titles that had eluded him, Leandro bulked up to Heavyweight for the 2017 season and hasn’t looked back since, but the move hasn't been without its challenges.  

Though he did claim double gold at Euros, Pans, and Brazilian Nationals in 2017, Lo has earned silver at the last three consecutive World Championships since making the transition to heavyweight (though the 2019 HW champion Kaynan Duarte was stripped of his medal due to USADA sanctions, technically awarding Leandro Lo with the title).  

2019 was Leandro's most tumultuous year to date, and the return to his most dominant weight class is a signal that the 7x World Champion is analyzing every possibility to return to his winning ways. 

Watch: Every Win From Leandro Lo's Pans Career, 2016-2019

Unlock this video, live events, and more with a subscription!

Sign Up

Already a subscriber? Log In

Lo’s entrance into the division certainly sets up some intriguing matches.  Horlando Monteiro, Matheus Diniz, and Gabriel Almeida all possess a powerful skillset that would provide entertaining scraps; black belt newcomers to the division Rafael Paganini and Jake Watson also could pose some interesting problems for the 7x World Champ. 

Lo also has allies in this division - longtime friends and old teammates Murilo Santana and Manuel Ribamar will almost certainly close out with him. 

Full List of Athletes signed up For Medium-Heavy