Coach Pedro Santos

Interview with Coach Pedro Santos

Get to know Coach Pedro Santos: inspiring the next generation of Jiu-Jitsu champions at Gracie Barra Riverton.

JIU JITSU CLASSES for kids

Hey Coach Pedro, let’s have a quick chat so people can get to know a bit more about you.

Can you please introduce yourself to our readers?

My name is Pedro Santos and I am 17 years old. I have been training BJJ for over 10 years. I attend high school – 11th grade and I moved to Utah with my family in January 2020.

How were your first impressions of Utah? What did you like the most and what did you feel was too strange?

Utah is beautiful, and the mountains are unbelievably pretty. It’s really different from Rio, which is a huge city; it’s quieter here and really nice to live in. No traffic jams. I love living here. The safety compared to Rio is what I liked the most, but on the other hand, I miss going to the beach.

You are Prof. Seidler Rodrigo's son, so we assume that you have been training Jiu Jitsu since you were born. How was your start in Jiu Jitsu as a kid?

I started when I was 5 years old, and I remember playing on the mats and having a lot of fun. When I turned 6, I had my first tournament and won the Rio de Janeiro State Championship. I loved training, but I was not a student under my dad. I mostly trained at Gracie Barra Jacarepaguá, under Professor Villem Coelho and his team of coaches.

What do you do at Gracie Barra Utah?

I train and work as an assistant coach. I teach the Tiny Champs and Little Champs 1 (3-6 years old), and I assist with the Little Champs 2 and Jrs Programs (7-12 years old) classes.

What are the biggest challenges you face in dealing with kids?

For sure, self-control, discipline, and communication. We have noticed that little kids have been really shy recently, not even greeting others due to a lack of confidence. We also see kids who can’t manage anger properly and need to understand that there is a time for everything, and of course, the discipline to build skills over time. All this makes kids more confident and helps them everywhere.

Is there a special moment you had during classes that you could share with us?

I remember when my dad was teaching me a specific sweep for a tournament and how much I repeated and practiced it. It is still one of my favorite moves. It reminds me that we need to put effort into what we want to develop. I do the same at school to get good grades, and it has been working.

What do you like to do off the mats?

I like to stay with my family and friends. Hiking in Utah is great, and I love it. I listen to music almost 24 hours a day, and I also like to play video games.

BJJ Competition Awards

2024

Black Belt – Master 2 & 3
2024
Orange County International Open – 3rd place
Sacramento International Open – 1st place
Chicago Summer International Open – 3rd place
Chicago Summer International Open – 1st place
San Diego Summer International Open – 1st place

2023

Compnet Boise – 1st place
San Diego Open – 1st place division and Open Class
Chicago Open – 1st place division and 3rd Open Class
Denver Open – 1st place division and Open Class

2022

Compnet SLC 2022 – 1st place
Boise International Open – 3rd Place – Open Class
Boise International Open – 1st Place – Ultra Heavy

2020

Oklahoma International Open – 3rd Place – Heavy
Foley International Open – 3rd Place – Heavy
Utah State – 1st Place

2018

Curitiba International Open – 3rd Place – Super-Heavy
Floripa International Open – 3rd Place – Super-Heavy
Copa Hélio Gracie (FJJRio) – 1st Place – Super-Heavy
Campeonato Aberto de Verão (FJJRio) – 2nd Place – Super-Heavy

Brown Belt – Master 1 & Master 2
2017

Rei do Rio (FJJRio) – 1st Place – Super-Heavy
Copa Hélio Gracie (FJJRio) – 1st Place – Super-Heavy
Campeonato Estadual (FJJRio) – 1st Place – Super-Heavy
Campeonato aberto de verão (FJJRio) – 1st Place – Super-Heavy
Masters Internacional (IBJJF) – 3rd Place – Super-Heavy
Rio Winter International Open (IBJJF) – 1st Place – Super-Heavy
Rio Fall International Open (IBJJF) – 1st Place – Super-Heavy

2016

Belo Horizonte Internacional Open NoGi (IBJJF) – 2nd Place – Open Weight
Belo Horizonte Internacional Open NoGi (IBJJF) – 1st Place – Super-Heavy
Belo Horizonte Internacional Open (IBJJF) – 3rd Place – Super-Heavy
Curitiba International Open (IBJJF) – 3rd Place – Super-Heavy
Curitiba International Open (IBJJF) – 1st Place – Open Weight
Brazilian Nationals (IBJJF/CBJJ) – 2nd Place – Super-Heavy
Campeonato Sul Brasileiro (IBJJF/CBJJ) – 2nd Place – Super-Heavy
Copa Helio Gracie (FJJRio) – 1st Place – Super-Heavy
Campeonato aberto de verão (FJJRio) – 1st Place – Super-Heavy

Purple Belt – Master 1

2014

Brazilian Nationals (IBJJF) – 3rd Place – Heavyweight
Copa Conde Koma (FJJRio) – 3rd Place – Heavyweight
Campeonato Estadual (FJJRio) – 1st Place – Heavyweight
Copa Helio Gracie (FJJRio) – 1st Place – Heavyweight
Campeonato aberto de verão (FJJRio) – 1st Place – Heavyweight

Blue Belt – Master 1
2013

South American Championship (IBJJF) – 1st Place – Super-Heavy & 3rd Place – Open Weight
Copa Cyclone – 2nd Place – Super-Heavy
Masters Internacional (IBJJF) – 2nd Place – Heavyweight
Copa Carlson Gracie (FJJRio) – 1st Place – Heavyweight
Copa Helio Gracie (FJJRio) – 1st Place – Heavyweight
Campeonato estadual (FJJRio) – 1st Place – Heavyweight

2012

Campeonato aberto de verão (FJJRio) – 3rd Place – Heavyweight

White Belt – Master 1
2011

Copa Integração (LGD) – 1st Place – Heavyweight

BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU CLASSES NEAR YOU

Our Passionate Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Instructors

At Gracie Barra Riverton, all our BJJ instructors are certified through the Gracie Barra Instructor Certification Program (ICP). This rigorous program ensures they possess the highest level of knowledge, teaching skills, and leadership qualities. Also, all our instructors have their background checked and receive CPR training. Through ICP, they gain access to cutting-edge techniques, proven teaching methods, and ongoing support from the Gracie Barra team. This dedication to continuous improvement allows them to effectively guide you on your Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey in Utah.

Gracie Barra is like a big family, open to people of all ages and backgrounds!

PROF. SEIDLER RODRIGO

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