Team Link athlete shines at the NAGA Cup

The traditional NAGA Hartford Cup, a renowned submission competition, was held on the 29th, in the United States. The highlight of the tournament was the revelation of the Team Link team, Carlos Eduardo Correa, who won the competition in the category with and without kimono.

“I was under a bit of pressure, as I had won the belt in the previous championship and there were a lot of students watching me, but as soon as I started fighting that went away and in the end everything worked out”, he stated.

Carlos Correa, who is trained by Marco Alvan and training partner of the beast Gabriel Napao, spoke to SUPER FIGHTS the experience of competing on North American soil. Check out the interview below:

How long have you trained jiu-jitsu?
I have been training jiu-jitsu for 11 years. Since 2000.

Where did you start training in Brazil?
My gym is in the city of Itamonte, Minas Gerais, and I train in São Lourenço with Mestre Jorge.

How did the invitation to train at Team Link come about?
The invitation came through my master, who introduced Marco Alvan (partner and leader of Team Link) to jiu-jitsu many years ago. We formed a Kito Ryu exchange with Team Link and have already sent four black belts to the United States.

How long have you been in the USA?
I've been in the United States for almost three months, I'm going to Brazil in November to pick up my wife and return permanently.

Have you competed in other championships in the USA?

Yes, I've already competed in some championships here, but a cool championship in Brazil that I was very happy with the result of was the CBJJE Brazilian Championship. I was runner-up in São Paulo, as a black belt. In the United States, I won the NAGA East Coast in June, and last weekend I was champion with and without the gi at the NAGA in Hartford, Connecticut.

CWhat is your training routine like in the United States?
The training and class routine is very hard, but rewarding. Students responding with good results in competitions. I can even mention a little monster that we are preparing here and I am announcing first hand, Peter Kerantzas, he weighs 110kg and was the absolute champion of the last Naga.

Have you ever trained with Gabriel Napao? What was it like training with the beast?
The training is very good here. There's a strong group of guys. Napão is an outstanding guy! Formidable as a person and he bothers me in training, but then he teaches me something (laughs)! He is in Brazil and was in my city, where he gave a seminar for 100 students in our central team in São Lourenço.

What is your final message to Brazilian fans?
I just have to thank God, my wife Sandra, my master Jorge, professor Marco Alvan who trusts my work and all my students and friends.