Bernardo Faria facts for kids

Bernardo Rocha de Faria is a famous Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athlete and teacher from Brazil. He is known for winning many big championships, including five World Championships. He also won titles at the European Championship, Pan-American Championship, and Brazilian National Championship.

In 2013, Bernardo was ranked number one in the world by the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF). He was also chosen as the best jiu-jitsu athlete of 2015. He earned his black belt in 2008. Later, he joined the Alliance Jiu Jitsu team in Sao Paulo to train with a master (called "mestre") named Fábio Gurgel. In 2022, Bernardo Faria was honored by being added to the IBJJF Hall of Fame. This is a special group for the most important people in jiu-jitsu.

Who is Bernardo Faria?

Bernardo Faria is a highly respected name in the world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He is not just a skilled fighter but also a dedicated teacher. He has inspired many people with his techniques and his sportsmanship.

Early Life and Training

Bernardo Faria was born on January 20, 1987, in Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil. He started training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at a young age. His hard work paid off when he received his black belt in 2008 from his instructor, Ricardo Marques. This was a very important step in his journey.

After getting his black belt, Bernardo moved to Sao Paulo. There, he joined the famous Alliance Jiu Jitsu team. He trained under the guidance of Fábio Gurgel, a legendary "mestre" or master in jiu-jitsu. This training helped him become one of the best athletes in the sport.

Becoming a Champion

Bernardo Faria is famous for his unique style and his many wins. He is especially known for a move called the "Faria sweep." This move helped him win many matches. He competed in different weight classes and also in the "Absolute" division, where fighters of all weights can compete.

World Championship Wins

Bernardo Faria won the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship five times. This is one of the hardest titles to win in jiu-jitsu. He won his first World Championship in 2006 as a purple belt. Later, as a black belt, he won in 2010, 2013, and twice in 2015. Winning the Absolute division in 2015 meant he was the best fighter of all weights that year.

Other Major Titles

Besides his World Championship titles, Bernardo also won many other important competitions:

• He won the Pan American Championship six times. This includes winning both his weight class and the Absolute division in 2010 and 2015.
• He won the European Championship three times.
• He also became a Brazilian National Champion.
• Bernardo also competed in "No-Gi" jiu-jitsu, where fighters do not wear the traditional uniform. He won the European No-Gi Championship twice and the Brazilian Nationals No-Gi Championship once.

Life After Competing

Even after achieving so much as a competitor, Bernardo Faria continues to be a big part of the jiu-jitsu community. He now focuses on teaching and sharing his knowledge.

Teaching Jiu-Jitsu

Bernardo Faria now runs his own Jiu Jitsu academy in Bedford, Massachusetts, in the United States. He teaches students of all ages and skill levels. He is still a member of the Alliance Jiu Jitsu team and is also part of the Marcelo Garcia Association.

Sharing Knowledge Online

Bernardo also has a popular YouTube channel called "BJJ Fanatics." On this channel, he regularly posts videos showing different jiu-jitsu techniques. He often features other famous jiu-jitsu practitioners and MMA fighters. Some of these include Dean Lister, John Danaher, and Gordon Ryan. This way, he helps many people around the world learn and improve their jiu-jitsu skills.