Xande Ribeiro on the ADCC 2009 marathon

By Eduardo Ferreira

Photo Eduardo Ferreira, from Barcelona

Two times ADCC champion on the 99kg category, ‘Xande’ Ribeiro was looking for his first title on the absolute, but an injury on the final against Bráulio Estima postponed the black belt’s dream. “I was trying to get Bráulio on a half guard and the muscle of my chest, my shoulder and my arm stretched... I tried to hold his hip, but I think I used too my strength“.

On an exclusive interview to TATAME, right after the second place in the absolute, Xande analyzed his participation on the competition. “The intention is to win the weight, and the Abu Dhabi absolute is a plus. Bráulio made an excellent weekend and deserved that. Now I’ll see what will happen and be stronger... I was really relaxed on the absolute, I submitted two guys, we made good fights, but on the final I had this injury“, said the 99kg champion.