Winning Is An 'Addiction' For Returning Abu Dhabi Champ Gianni Grippo

Gianni Grippo talks about his crazy upcoming competitions schedule. He competes in Abu Dhabi at King of Mats and World Pro later this month, then heads to Brazil for Brazilian Nationals in early May!

"I have the desire to compete all the time, that’s pretty much it. It’s what I enjoy doing. I enjoy being out there competing. You get nervous, you want to perform well, and there’s all this anxiety you have to deal with. Even now after all of these years of competing, it’s just something I really enjoy doing. 

"This year has been solid so far. I’ve been getting some of the results that I wanted—obviously, I want more. But that’s just my competitive mindset. When I start getting something I just think, 'What’s next, what more can I get?' It’s like an addiction, winning is an addiction to me. 

"I want to ride the wave. I want to keep going after it as many times as I can, and these tournaments are exciting. It’s something against different against people I haven’t fought before, some people I have fought before… Some I’ve won, some I’ve lost. Good challenges that I’m excited about. 

"Competing in Abu Dhabi at these two tournaments is exciting. It’s going to be a crazy week. But I like pushing myself in that type of way, having as many matches as possible. 

"And then after watching Brazilian Nationals last year, I didn’t care how crazy my schedule was this year I was determined to make it happen this year so I got my tickets to go there and be a part of it, which is going to be awesome."

Grippo also reveals that he hasn’t spent any of the money he won last year from the 2017 Abu Dhabi World Pro, and should he win again that he plans to take Matheus Diniz out for lunch!