Rodolfo Vieira has solidified his position as a former world champion in the sport. However, Rodolfo’s journey doesn’t end there. He has ventured into the world of mixed martial arts and is currently showcasing his skills as a formidable Middleweight competitor in the renowned UFC.
Meanwhile, Ana Carolina Vieira, a rising star in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu scene, recently showcased her talent at the IBJJF World Championships. Although she finished third, Ana’s quest for the title faced an unfortunate setback when she found herself caught in a submission and ultimately went out.
The incident raised concerns not only within the Vieira family but also among fellow practitioners. Rodolfo took to social media to express his disappointment, urging the IBJJF to address the issue. In a heartfelt post, he highlighted the judge’s failure to properly assess his sister’s condition, emphasizing the potential dangers associated with such lapses in judgment. Rodolfo firmly believed that the judge should face severe consequences for his actions to ensure the safety of all athletes.
“Now that my head is clearer calmly I can talk about what happened to my sister in the world final in the absolute category. There are mistakes and mistakes, everyone makes mistakes, all judges make mistakes, and a lot to be honest, but the mistake that this judge made, by acting incorrectly to find out my sister’s condition was absurd!
He couldn’t be the way he was, he at least should have knelt, to be attentive to the smallest details in a dangerous position like that, but he didn’t, nor did he see her hitting him. He simply tilted his body a little bit as you can see in the video and photos.
Anyway, I come here to leave my indignation with what happened and for me a very serious mistake like this, he or any other judge should be banned and never arbitrate again, my sister could be dead now, or have had some very serious sequel after so long erased, but thank God she’s fine!
And I want to thank everyone who sent messages asking and worried about her! I hope the @ibjjf make sure this never happens to any other athlete!”
This incident reminded many in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community of the need for improvement in event organization and refereeing. Tragically, the father of rising prospect Mica Galvao recounted witnessing a fatal incident on the mats during the Brasilieros earlier this year. The lack of medical personnel and the absence of comprehensive reporting surrounding such incidents highlight the areas where the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) must strive for betterment.
As a for-profit organization, the IBJJF holds a responsibility to prioritize athlete safety and welfare at their flagship events. To be on par with competitions like the ADCC and create a platform that truly nurtures talent, it is imperative that the IBJJF invests in robust event organization, including the presence of qualified medical personnel, and ensures impeccable refereeing.
The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community, along with the Vieira family, hopes that the IBJJF thoroughly investigates Ana Carolina’s case, rectifies any errors, and implements suitable measures to prevent such incidents from occurring again. The well-being and security of the athletes should always remain paramount, safeguarding their passion for the sport while providing them with a platform to showcase their skills.
