Jiu-Jitsu World Champion and first Brazilian UFC Champion. More than 100 black belts graduated throughout his career as a teacher. He is the founder of one of the most successful martial arts academies in the world, whose main goal is to spread the benefits of sport. He has dedicated 42 years to the gentle art, 31 of them teaching. All this time on the road lead Murilo Bustamante the Jiu-Jitsu coral belt, which corresponds to his seventh degree. After receiving the new belt by GM Álvaro Barreto and Masters Fernando Pinduka and Otávio Peixotinho, the leader of the Brazilian Top Team (BTT) remembered his firsts steps in BJJ and the long journey until the new graduation.

“This journey never ends. I did a three-day camp before the graduation ceremony, and after 42 years of training Jiu-Jitsu and 31 years of teaching, I keep learning every day. Drawing a parallel with life, what does Jiu-Jitsu give us? It teaches us to overcome the adversities of life. In life, you have ups and downs, in Jiu-Jitsu you lose and win, but you have to keep going. Jiu-Jitsu gives us discipline, self-confidence, self-esteem… I was an insecure and shy little boy when I arrived at Carlson Gracie. I'm still shy, but my insecurity is gone. Jiu-Jitsu has helped strengthen my spirit”, said Bustamante.

On August 4th, a special ceremony was held at the BTT headquarters in Rio de Janeiro to graduate Murilo to the coral belt. With the presence of friends, students, family and great masters of gentle art, Bustamante talked about the importance of Jiu-Jitsu in his life.

“Jiu-Jitsu has changed my life. I'm very happy, grateful and flattered to carry this belt, but it's a never-ending journey. The belt is really a prize for all my perseverance to get here, but most important is the journey, lifelong learning, the way we learn to overcome adversity through struggle”, he concluded.