bjj-asia.com:

CARLAO SANTOS: ABU DHABI
He is the head instructor to the Emirates Jiu-Jitsu Team in Abu Dhabi and hails from Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. Carlao Santos was kind enough to answer some questions regarding his current post and his plans to spread the word of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. -Luke

Could you tell us about yourself? Where you are originally from? How and when did you start to train BJJ? Under who did you start training under and who gave you your black-belt?

MY NAME IS CARLOS SANTOS I'M FROM BRAZIL, RIO DE JANEIRO. I'M START TRAINING BJJ IN CARLSON GRACIE ACADEMY IN COPACABANA, FIGUEIREDO MAGALHAES. I'M TAKE MY BLACK BELT FROM BRAZILIAN TOP TEAM, I'M STAY TO BROWN BELT IN CARLSON GRACIE AND AFTER BROWN I MOVE TO BTT.

Could you share with us your experience from white to black belt? What difficulties did you face and how would you encourage others who are just starting?

NO EASY MY FRIEND, VERY HARD TRAINING EVERY DAY, WHEN I START BJJ I HAVE 16 YEARS OLD, IN STUDYING, WORK AND TRAINING BJJ NIGHT. NO SUPPORT IN BRAZIL FOR BJJ . IF YOU WANT BECAME GOOD BJJ PLAYER AND COACH NO HAVE SECRET ONLY TRAINING SERIOUS EVERY DAY.
Most recently, you've relocated to Abu Dhabi as head instructor to the Emirates Jiu-Jitsu Team. Could you share with us how this came about and what the experience has been like so far?

I'M COMING FIRST TIME TO EMIRATES IN 2002, ADCC CLUB MAKE CONNECTION IF ZE MARIO SPERRY AND START SEND COACHES TO ADCC FOR TRAINING, IN 2003 I COMING AND STUDENTS LIKE MY JOB AND MAKE ME STAY TO NOW.

How has this compared to your previous experience as the head BJJ instructor at BTT in Brazil?

VERY GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW MY JOB THERE, AFTER LIBORIO LEAVE TO MAKE ATT, BUSTAMANTE, SPERRY AND BEBEO GIVE ME THIS OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE CARE BJJ CLASS IN BTT, TOGETHER MY FRIEND OLAVO ABREU.

What have been the challenges so far as a teacher and ambassador of BJJ?

NO EASY JOB, NO ONLY NED BECAME GOOD COACH NED ALSO GOOD ADMINISTRATION, POLITICS TO MAKE THE SPORT GROWING, ALOT BAD PEOPLE WANT MAKE TROUBLE, ENVIOUS PEOPLES. MORE IM HAVE CLEAR WAY AND GOOD SUPPORT FROM H.H. SHEIKH MOHAMAD BIN ZAYED AL NAHYAN TO MAKE THE BJJ SPORT BIG IN ALL REGION. NO IS THE BEGINNING HAVE ALOT JOB TO DO.

This May 9-10, the United Arab Emirates will be hosting the Abu Dhabi International Jiu-Jitsu Cup. Could you share with us your involvement and more about the event itself?

THIS EVENT IS THE BIGGEST EVENT IN THE ASIAN , MAYBE IN THE WORLD IF TALK ABOUT THE MONEY INVOLVE. MORE THEN 110.000 US$ TO MAKE THIS JIU-JITSU EVENT. I HOPE MORE ASIAN PEOPLE COMING TO PLAY THIS EVENT.

From this past weekend at the European Jiu-Jitsu Championships in Portugal, the Jordan Jiu-Jitsu Team had four members place. How do you see their success and what plans do you have for your team to compete in upcoming tournaments such as Mundials?

CONGRATULATION TO MY FRIEND ZAID MIRZA HEAD COACH FROM JORDAN, THIS IS GOOD FOR REGION NOW ALL TEAMS WANT SEND PEOPLE TO OUT FOR PLAY. NOW I HAVE PLANE TO SEND PLAYERS TO BRASIL, BTT, TO MAKE CAMP THERE AND FIGHT ALL THE COMPETITION IN BRAZIL. OFF COURSE AS HAVE DREAMS TO MAKE WORLD CHAMPIONS, MORE FOR THIS NED TIME.
What do you see as important aspects new/old students must understand to keep BJJ's positive for everyone?

BJJ IS THE NICE SPORT IN THE WORLD, IF YOU TRY 1 TIME THIS COMING INSEDE YOU BLOOD FOREVER. YOU WANT MAKE ALL THE TIME, ALSO MAKE FRIENDS ALL THE WORLD.

Any additional plans for yourself this coming year besides teaching?

OFF COURSE I HAVE 1 MAGAZINE IS THE FIRST ARAB FIGHT MAGAZINE, MAKE MORE BJJ EVENTS. MY BIG PROJECT IS MAKE THE BJJ IS SPORT PROFESSIONAL SAME SKATE OR SURFING. TO MAKE PEOPLE LEAVE ONLY FOR FIGHT BJJ SAME JUDO OR MMA.
I want to thank you for taking the time to speak with us at BJJ-ASIA. Is there anything else you'd like to share with the readers?

I HOPE ALL THE READERS HELP ME TO MAKE BJJ PROFESSIONAL IN THE WORLD, ALSO COMING TO MY EVENTS I TRY MY BEST TO GIVE MORE AND MORE SUPPORT TO PLAYERS. GIVE GOOD PRIZES AND SUPPORT. AND FOR SEE NEWS ABOUT MY LINKS GO TO www.emiratesone.blogspot.com