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The Fighter’s Journey Begins

Juan Diego Correa

Jiu Jitsu fighter Gian Carlo Tamayo is making a name for himself in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

Last week he won the bronze medal in an All Atlantic Jiu Jitsu Competition held in Nova Scotia. He was third out of 15 fighters.

This was Tamayo’s second competition in Canada. The first one was held last November, where he won the second place out of 30 competitors.

Tamayo is a 20 year old student from Perú studying at St. Thomas University in Fredericton.  He trains everyday at Synergy Training Center, which is a gym and academy specializing in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

With organization and discipline he is becoming a successful athlete while adapting to the student life abroad.

Gian Carlo Tamayo won the bronze medal last week and the silver medal in November, both in the All Atlantic Jiu Jitsu Competition. (photo by Juan Diego Correa)

“ I’ve adapted pretty good actually, we have a pretty good team, great coaches, excellent people, and training partners, ” he said. Gian Carlo added that he has found a balance between studying and training. He wakes up early to go to the gym, run, or practice boxing. After that he goes to class, studies in the afternoon, and then proceeds to go to Synergy Gym to train until the night time.

Repetition, organization, and discipline are the key to his success. He also says his coaches have had a huge impact on his adaptation and development.

One of his coaches, Andreas Limberopoulos, praised Gian Carlo’s commitment and abilities.

Andreas Limberopoulos is a Black Belt Jiu Jitsu Coach ” Gian Carlo has been quite impressive.  He can do whatever he wants,” he says. (photo by Juan Diego Correa)

“He is always eager to learn techniques. So I think he will do, when he competes, very well,” said Limberopoulos. “He just needs to get in there and get the experience. I think he can do whatever he wants,” he added.

Gian Carlo studies every afternoon after his classes, and right before going to train again at 5:00pm.  ” I organize myself to train in the morning and study in the afternoon, is all about creating a routine,” he says. (photo by Juan Diego Correa)

Gian Carlo is focused and improving his techniques, as he keeps working hard every day. His next fight is scheduled for February 15th.