Roberto Leitão

Roberto Cláudio das Neves Leitão (15 May 1937 – 28 November 2020)[1] was a Brazilian martial artist in Luta Livre, or Brazilian Catch Wrestling.[5] He was a 4th degree blackbelt in Judo, while also having 60 years in Luta Livre.[2] He dedicated himself to flawless technique.[6]

Roberto Leitão
BornRoberto Cláudio das Neves Leitão[1]
(1937-05-15)May 15, 1937[1]
Santa Catarina, Brazil[2]
DiedNovember 28, 2020(2020-11-28) (aged 83)[1]
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil[3]
StyleLuta Livre
Rank10th degree black belt in Luta Livre[4]
4th degree black belt in Judo[4]
UniversityPontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro[4]

Biography

He held a degree in mechanical engineering.[2] He was university professor who continuously wrote about martial arts and grappling.[7] He would lead the way for Luta Livre during the 1970s.[7]

Roberto trained a number of grapplers including Renato Sobral, Pedro Rizzo and Marco Ruas.[8] Additionally he is said to be an instructor of José Aldo.[9] He would also train with 1984 Greco Roman Superheavyweight Gold medalist, Jeff Blatnick for Blatnick's run in MMA.[10] Roberto was the coach of Renato Babalu, whom he coached to a knockout over Ilioukhine Mikhail.[11] His son would serve as the superintendent of the Brazilian Confederation of Associated Wrestling and was an athlete at the Olympic Games at Seoul 1988 and Barcelona 1992.[12]

He died from COVID-19 in Rio de Janeiro on 11 November 2020.[13]

References
  1. "Roberto Leitão on Instagram: "Hoje, às 9h, o mestre Leitão descansou. Obrigada a todos que estiveram com ele durante toda sua caminhada e em especial em pensamento durante esse último mês. O mestre lutou por tudo na vida sem nunca se queixar. Vitorioso por formar uma família que aprendeu os verdadeiros valores da vida, engenheiro competente, artista sensível, filho, irmão, marido, avô e pai primoroso, não havia quem não gostasse de sua companhia. Fez do seu amor à luta uma escola. Ensinou, treinou, incentivou e estimulou muitos ao esporte e à saúde física e mental aqueles que tiveram o privilégio de estar próximos a ele. Descanse em paz, você cumpriu seu caminho como verdadeiro mestre. Somos gratos por ter tido o privilégio de fazer parte da sua jornada. Com todo amor, seu filhos, netos, genro e nora."".
  2. "The 10 Principles Of Grappling, By Luta Livre Master Roberto Leitao | Bjj Eastern Europe". bjjee.com. Retrieved 2014-10-29.
  3. TATAME (2020-11-28). "Precursor da Luta Olímpica no Brasil, Mestre Roberto Leitão morre aos 83 anos vítima da Covid-19". Terra.
  4. Marcelo Alonso (November 30, 2020). "Revered Coach, Leg Lock Specialist Roberto Leitao Dies of COVID-19 at Age 83". sherdog.com.
  5. "MMA History XVIII: The Losses of Luta Livre – Bloody Elbow". bloodyelbow.com. 10 January 2009. Retrieved 2014-10-29.
  6. "History of Andyconda Luta Livre – Luta-Livre brazilian Grappling and MMA". lutalivre.net. Retrieved 2014-10-29.
  7. Snowden, J.; Shields, K. (2010). The MMA Encyclopedia. ECW Press. ISBN 9781554908448. Retrieved 2014-10-29.
  8. "Old Wounds |  FIGHT! Magazine – Archives". fightmagazine.com. Archived from the original on 2014-10-29. Retrieved 2014-10-29.
  9. sportv.globo.com
  10. "New York Magazine". Newyorkmetro.com. New York Media, LLC: 43. 1996-02-19. ISSN 0028-7369. Retrieved 2014-10-29.
  11. "Black Belt". Black Belt. Buyer's Guide. Active Interest Media, Inc.: 16 July 2000. ISSN 0277-3066. Retrieved 2014-10-29.
  12. "News | Rio 2016". Rio2016.com. Rio 2016 Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Archived from the original on 2015-06-23. Retrieved 2014-10-29.
  13. Marcelo Alonso (November 30, 2020). "Revered Coach, Leg Lock Specialist Roberto Leitao Dies of COVID-19 at Age 83". sherdog.com.
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