2010-05-17 09:14:34 +0000 #1
I´ve just wrote a topic on the main forum about the payments and opportunities that are not given to lightweights.
In a much worse condition are the women.
www.tatame.com.br/in...revistas.asp?id=2094
Leticia Ribeiro
By José MaurÃ*cio Costa
: www.tatame.com.br/in...evistas.asp?id=2094#
Quote:
www.tatame.com.br/in...6035%5Fleticia%2Ejpg Carrying the female BJJ's flag
One of the most important BJJ girls in the country, LetÃ*cia Ribeiro (Gracie Humaitá) is one of the pioneers over the modality. Jumping out of the podium in every competition she is in, LetÃ*cia has conquered the gold at the 10th BJJ Pan-American, held in US and, due to a contusion in her knee, was out of the Brazilian Nationals. However, she is already training to do a super-fight at 2nd International Pro Jiu-Jitsu, in July. Asked about how is the situation of the female BJJ, LetÃ*cia laments about the cash prize and complains: "Men fight for R$ 5 mil, and the girls only for R$ 400. I am out of it!," guaranteed LetÃ*cia, during exclusive interview during a visit to TATAME.
Is it hard to be a BJJ black belt disputing room with guys on the mat?
I can tell you its damn hard to face Jiu-Jitsu as a serious thing when we talk about girls. I've worked hard to be where I am and today I do have to fight with brown belts and purple belts. Leka Vieira and I are considered the main black belts nowadays. Of course there are other girls, like Hannette Quadros..., but we're the pioneers. I also graduated in Physical Education major and I worked in a gym..., so I know how is hard to deal with the athlete life style. The only thing that supports me, besides the sponsors are my pupils and the private classes.
The new BJJ events featuring black belts may open a new market for you?
I hope so. I already fought the Black Belt and I will fight at Brazil Vs Japan challenge, in July. And we do receive the same money as men. This is a good start. I really wanted to fight at BJJ World Cup, but I won't..., because the prize cash is damn shorter... I will only fight at Mundial.
But the Mundial doesn't have pay money to the winners...
I do think its an absurd. Carlinhos does not pay in cash, but due to his tournaments, I realize in US how big is his Confederation, the CBJJ. The projection I receive from Mundial is worth. BJJ World Cup has not the same tradition..., but it's all about the difference between the prizes. I am a BJJ black belt and I climbed the podium all the times I've fought. I don't think its right. Men fighting for R$ 5 mil and I for R$ 400.
What is needed to increase and develop female BJJ?
Women need to join together and fight for this space. Today, the girls are all about their gyms. For exemple: a girl from Nova União does not admire me because I represent Gracie Humaitá. This is the major difference between here and the outside of Brazil. The American girl fought me and then went to buy my T-shirt. I have been trying to keep my gym fulfil of girls..., and there are already other girls interested to train with me.
What kind of tip do you do to the beginners?
Girls must be persistent and love the sport. It's kind of hard talking about it..., because there is not enough girls and they need to put together purple, brown and black belts to fight together. So, the black belts are afraid to lose or tap out for a purple one and they give up fighting at tournaments. I remember when I was a purple belt and won black belt Dani. She was a great athlete., and it's part of the sport. Lots of people tell me I shouldn't be fighting. I fell like I am carrying the female BJJ flag on my myself. I cheer for girls keeping moving. I do my part and I can tell you, by my pupil Carol, only 14 years old, that she will rule soon. She has won the BJJ World Cup as blue last year. I think she will do very well this year.
What do you think about the prejudice against girls over the mat?
I think girls are afraid of weird ear... By the way, its the most frequent question I do have to answer. Nobody needs to brake the ear. I've been fighting over ten years and my ear is normal. I do use a protector for my hair and my ears as well. When I forget it, I feel worse then forgetting the Gi. As I usually train with men, they are aware I am a girl and they don't mess with my ear. Men training is always harder and they just don't care about it like girls do.
How is training with men? Is the level the same?
We are all friends and I usually train with the lighter ones. Even though they are way heavier than me. I can tell you I give them a hard time. I am BJJ black belt graduated by Royler Gracie and don't think I am better or worse then others. Women, maybe cause the strength, develop more their BJJ skills.
Submission and Vale-Tudo are including in your plans?
I guess Submission is the same. In US, promoters pay as same for men and women. I just don't fight here because there is no place to fight. Training with a guy wearing no Gi is a little awkward., but I would love to train with a female partner as Leka. Vale-Tudo is definitely not in my plans... I don't think its cool girls receiving punches right in the face...
In a much worse condition are the women.
www.tatame.com.br/in...revistas.asp?id=2094
Leticia Ribeiro
By José MaurÃ*cio Costa
: www.tatame.com.br/in...evistas.asp?id=2094#
Quote:
www.tatame.com.br/in...6035%5Fleticia%2Ejpg Carrying the female BJJ's flag
One of the most important BJJ girls in the country, LetÃ*cia Ribeiro (Gracie Humaitá) is one of the pioneers over the modality. Jumping out of the podium in every competition she is in, LetÃ*cia has conquered the gold at the 10th BJJ Pan-American, held in US and, due to a contusion in her knee, was out of the Brazilian Nationals. However, she is already training to do a super-fight at 2nd International Pro Jiu-Jitsu, in July. Asked about how is the situation of the female BJJ, LetÃ*cia laments about the cash prize and complains: "Men fight for R$ 5 mil, and the girls only for R$ 400. I am out of it!," guaranteed LetÃ*cia, during exclusive interview during a visit to TATAME.
Is it hard to be a BJJ black belt disputing room with guys on the mat?
I can tell you its damn hard to face Jiu-Jitsu as a serious thing when we talk about girls. I've worked hard to be where I am and today I do have to fight with brown belts and purple belts. Leka Vieira and I are considered the main black belts nowadays. Of course there are other girls, like Hannette Quadros..., but we're the pioneers. I also graduated in Physical Education major and I worked in a gym..., so I know how is hard to deal with the athlete life style. The only thing that supports me, besides the sponsors are my pupils and the private classes.
The new BJJ events featuring black belts may open a new market for you?
I hope so. I already fought the Black Belt and I will fight at Brazil Vs Japan challenge, in July. And we do receive the same money as men. This is a good start. I really wanted to fight at BJJ World Cup, but I won't..., because the prize cash is damn shorter... I will only fight at Mundial.
But the Mundial doesn't have pay money to the winners...
I do think its an absurd. Carlinhos does not pay in cash, but due to his tournaments, I realize in US how big is his Confederation, the CBJJ. The projection I receive from Mundial is worth. BJJ World Cup has not the same tradition..., but it's all about the difference between the prizes. I am a BJJ black belt and I climbed the podium all the times I've fought. I don't think its right. Men fighting for R$ 5 mil and I for R$ 400.
What is needed to increase and develop female BJJ?
Women need to join together and fight for this space. Today, the girls are all about their gyms. For exemple: a girl from Nova União does not admire me because I represent Gracie Humaitá. This is the major difference between here and the outside of Brazil. The American girl fought me and then went to buy my T-shirt. I have been trying to keep my gym fulfil of girls..., and there are already other girls interested to train with me.
What kind of tip do you do to the beginners?
Girls must be persistent and love the sport. It's kind of hard talking about it..., because there is not enough girls and they need to put together purple, brown and black belts to fight together. So, the black belts are afraid to lose or tap out for a purple one and they give up fighting at tournaments. I remember when I was a purple belt and won black belt Dani. She was a great athlete., and it's part of the sport. Lots of people tell me I shouldn't be fighting. I fell like I am carrying the female BJJ flag on my myself. I cheer for girls keeping moving. I do my part and I can tell you, by my pupil Carol, only 14 years old, that she will rule soon. She has won the BJJ World Cup as blue last year. I think she will do very well this year.
What do you think about the prejudice against girls over the mat?
I think girls are afraid of weird ear... By the way, its the most frequent question I do have to answer. Nobody needs to brake the ear. I've been fighting over ten years and my ear is normal. I do use a protector for my hair and my ears as well. When I forget it, I feel worse then forgetting the Gi. As I usually train with men, they are aware I am a girl and they don't mess with my ear. Men training is always harder and they just don't care about it like girls do.
How is training with men? Is the level the same?
We are all friends and I usually train with the lighter ones. Even though they are way heavier than me. I can tell you I give them a hard time. I am BJJ black belt graduated by Royler Gracie and don't think I am better or worse then others. Women, maybe cause the strength, develop more their BJJ skills.
Submission and Vale-Tudo are including in your plans?
I guess Submission is the same. In US, promoters pay as same for men and women. I just don't fight here because there is no place to fight. Training with a guy wearing no Gi is a little awkward., but I would love to train with a female partner as Leka. Vale-Tudo is definitely not in my plans... I don't think its cool girls receiving punches right in the face...
