13-year-old El Paso teen wins gold in major Jiu-Jitsu competition in Brazil
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- 13-year-old Kolby Gonzales took home gold at the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation Brasileiro in Sao Paolo, Brazil this week.
Gonzales is a student at the Gracie Barra El Paso Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy. His teachers say Gonzales beat four opponents on his way to the podium. He did not allow a single point to be scored against him, according to the academy.
Gonzales started training at the Gracie Barra campus in Las Cruces when he was 5 years old. He has since started training at the El Paso campus under Professor Jeff Vigil. He also trains in MMA.
This is not Gonzales' first win at an international competition.
“I had fought in the Brazilian nationals last year, and I got third. I was really upset, but I knew I had to win. That loss motivated me a lot. I trained every day. Hard work pays off. I’m grateful for this opportunity to represent in Brazil,” says Gonzales.
