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Winchester, VA – Professor Samuel Hertzog Canquerino showcased his skill and determination at the PBJJF (Professional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation) Grand Slam Virginia, securing a hard-fought victory in an exciting Super Fight against David Adams. This bout marked a rematch between the two competitors, adding even more intensity to the showdown.

During the match, Canquerino executed a well-timed half-guard sweep, reversing the position and landing on top, where he controlled the action and came close to passing Adams’ guard. His precise technique and strategic approach proved decisive, ultimately leading him to victory in front of an enthusiastic crowd.

The PBJJF Grand Slam Virginia continues to establish itself as a premier event in the Jiu-Jitsu community, attracting elite athletes from around the world. Canquerino’s performance not only reaffirms his dominance on the mats but also serves as an inspiration to students and fans of the sport.

Congratulations to Professor Samuel Hertzog Canquerino on this remarkable achievement!

At the 2024 IBJJF Virginia International Open in Fredericksburg, Virginia, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt competitor Prof. Samuel had a memorable performance that highlighted both perseverance and skill. Although he narrowly lost the final of his weight division to the renowned Colton Smith by a single advantage point, Prof. Samuel rebounded stronger than ever, taking home the title in the Black Belt Master 2 Open Weight division.
“I gave everything I had in the final against Colton. It was an incredible match, and I knew I had to bounce back,” said Prof. Samuel. “Winning the open weight division was the perfect way to end a challenging day.”
His victory in the open weight category proved his resilience, as he dominated his opponents with precision and mental toughness, cementing his status as a competitor to watch in the BJJ community.
The 2024 Virginia International Open was a gathering of elite athletes, and Prof. Samuel’s performance stood out as one of the most inspiring stories of the weekend.

I had the pleasure of joining the Dreams Not Fame Podcast with Will Bullock for an incredible conversation ahead of my participation in Copa Elite 2. We talked about my experience in the United Arab Emirates, where I helped develop Jiu-Jitsu in schools, the military, and professional clubs, as well as my unforgettable visit to the birthplace of martial arts, the Kodokan in Japan. I also shared my approach to weight cutting, and we discovered a great coincidence—we both favor the half-guard as our go-to game! Grateful for the opportunity to share my journey and exchange ideas.

Prof. Samuel Hertzog Canquerino made a strong statement at the Copa Elite 2, held at the Salisbury Center in Manassas, Virginia, claiming the event’s championship belt after a high-level, casada (super fight) bout against Thiago Thomaz, a representative of SAS Team.
The match was incredibly close, with Thiago pulling Samuel into his guard early on. However, Prof. Samuel kept the pressure from the top, constantly working to pass the guard. The fight was marked by a back-and-forth exchange of positions, and Samuel eventually managed to stabilize into half guard, showcasing his technical ability and resilience.
“The fight was very tough; Thiago is a great athlete, and every move counted. I knew I had to keep the pressure on and not give him any space. It was a very close match, but fortunately, the advantages went in my favor,” said Prof. Samuel after his win.
In the end, the match was decided by advantages, securing Samuel’s victory and earning him the coveted Copa Elite 2 belt. The event, which drew a large crowd, was a true celebration of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, with intense and exciting matches, and the fight between Samuel and Thiago was one of the night’s biggest highlights.

It’s believed that around 70% of the athlete’s performance is related to the emoLonal state and just 30% exclusively to the technique and physical condiLon. Our body and mind are connected and, for this reason, our thoughts trigger physiological responses which could not be so pleasant or extremely displeasurable. in the sport context, one of the most common emoLonal states which impacts the most the athlete’s performance is the anxiety.
Anxiety is a normal emoLonal state of mind and is considered just a problem when it becomes intense and recurrent, prejudicing the athlete’s life quality and performance. We trigger anxiety when our mind understands that it is facing a stressful situaLon. - exemple: a challenge, a problem, a danger or any context in which requires body and mind acLvaLon. In order to prepare for a compeLLon, for pursuing the victory, we need a certain anxiety, because it supplies us psychic and physical energy, and the moLvaLon to move forward. However when this acLvaLon surpasses the normal, we start to feel its unpleasant effects. Uncontrolled thoughts, Lredness, lack of concentraLon, sleep disturbs, irritability, breathlessness or shortness of breath are some of the symptoms. And how do everything starts? Everything triggers through the thoughts.
When the athlete has a favorable mental health, there is a predominance of good and moLvaLonal thoughts regarding the moment in which it facing. This mental health triggers pleasant physiological reacLons with the release of serotonin, endorphin, dopamine e other hormones related to enjoyment, leading to a higher concentraLon, focus, thoughts and physical control and, therefore, the athlete to have a beeer performance.
The opposite, when the athlete is not well emoLonally, there is a predominance of negaLve, puniLve and demoLvaLonal thoughts, related to fears and insecuriLes. it iniLates unpleasant physiological reacLons, related to our fighLng and scape insLnct and to excessive relate of adrenaline, corLsol and other stress related hormones. Result: the athlete speeds up or paralises and this decompensaLon prejudices directly the performance.
Between this and that it is primordial for the athlete to go though a process of self knowledge, which could be done through the psychotherapy, in order to understand which contexts trigger off anxiety and the reason behind, what fears, insecuriLes and thoughts associated with the athlete’s career and how to elaborate in a way where it could show the best of he or she, in all life aspects.

Claudia Maria Crocoli Antunes, Psychologist, specialized in Clinical Psychology of PsychoanalyLcal Approach, Sport Psychology Specialist, graduated in Group Dynamics, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt.

Despite the short time since his farewell after a twelve years carrer in the United Arab Emirates, Samuel did not exited on stepping once again at the AJP Tour mats, at this time in Miami, at the American state of Florida.

The 2021 Miami International Pro was held at the Airport Convention Center in the last November 20th.

Besides being victorious in the master 2 black belt 77kg division, this event marked Samuel’s debut on representing Fight Sports team, where he won the first fight by a wrist lock from side control, and in the final overcoming the just world champion athlete Rodrigo Rosa (Gordo JJ) by 6-3 in points.

After just arriving in the United States, coming from twelve years of working in the Middle East, Samuel even fighting in a weight division above, got able to be amongst the best in the 2021 Pan American.

The Silvers Spurs Arena, in the surroundings of Orlando - Florida, held in the last September 2nd the Jiu-Jitsu Pan American, where the black belt Samuel H. Canquerino was present and did not disapoint.

Despite not being ranked which could guarantee him a better placement in the brackets, Samuel got into the Silvers Spurs, and overcame every opponent until the semi final.

There were three fights, where two were won by submission, until the semi final where in a leveled fight against Diego bispo (Ares JJ), ended up being stoped by two points.

A much valued bronze medal among the black belt master 2 middle weights!

The Jits Guy podcast, held by the enthusiastic and passionate Jiu-Jitsu practitioner Zeid Salman, received for its 64th edition none other than coach Samuel Hertzog Canquerino.

Zeid & Samuel represented the typical relationship developed on the mats, more than coach and student, the friendship, respect and admiration flowed through a very fun and relaxed talk regarding Samuel’s beginnings in the martial art of Jiu-Jitsu, a bit of his background as a kid raised in south Brazil who took over the world carrying his Gi on a back pack.

Check the video bellow and make sure to follow and share Middle East’s finest martial arts podcast!

Among the combat sports modalities, we find many individuals with different aims: professional athletes, amateurs and practitioners. It is a consensus among professionals and practitioners that the aims of the sport determinate the intensity and training frequency, but would also be a consensus the diet specification according to the different aims? Science presents well established evidences for this question, where it reveals that the diet should guarantee each individuals nutritional needs which is directly connected to the training demand and intensity.
The principles of a healthy diet are presented over four pillars:
Quality: composed of food that provide necessary nutrients in order to supply the organism needs.
Quantity: according to each individuals energetic need, taking in consideration the weight, height, age, gender, training frequency and intensity.
Harmony: balance between food groups (carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, vitamins, minerals and water)
Adequacy: the diet should be personal to each individual, as well as the training. The adequacy should also meet the physiological and financial needs.

Basics tips for a healthy diet:
Keep regularity between meals, distributing well the quantity of food to be consumed;
Consume generous portions of fruits and vegetables, where it is recommended five daily portions;
Be careful with alcoholic beverages consumption, it interferes directly in the recovery and training adaptation;
Avoid sweets and fried food, try to resist.

Basic tips for a pre-training diet:
Keep yourself hydrated throughout the day;
When choosing your food to be consumed before training, think about gastric emptying. Each food has a different time to be digested and as it is not interesting to train fasting, the same applies to train with a full stomach;
Be careful when consuming high glycemic index carbohydrates (such as sweets, sugars, white flour) near the training time. It could cause a reactive hypoglycemia, causing a general discomfort or other consequences;
It is important to consume sources of carbohydrates and proteins before training.

Basic tips for during training diet:
Keep yourself hydrated by consuming water, hydroelectrolytic replenishers and carbohydrates;
Hydroelectrolytic replenishers and carbohydrates, are not necessary in light or moderate training that would last up to one hour;
Suplements during training are very peculiar.

Basic tips of post training diet:
The post exercise diet should take in consideration the aims of the practitioner, weight loss, performance and/or maintenance;
For recovering and adaptation, it is indicated to consumed carbohydrates and proteins. This consumption can be done by food or supplements ingestion.

Food Suplements
The supplements were created to supply physiological needs, when this target is not achieved by consuming food only. However I would like to alert that they are a concentration of specific nutrients and when consumed in a wrong way, would be simply thrown away by the organism, or overcharging it. The right procedure is to search for a nutritionist to find out the real needs, for the supplement to be secondary in the results improvements.
As a practitioner I can guarantee that with a proper diet, the training performance and achieving the goals will be more efective. Training with energy, with your body properly nourished, everything get easier synchronized: the pre training, during training, and the recover after training become a successful cycle.
There is much to talk about nutrition and sport, to things that walk together and complete each other. The first idea is launched, but the biggest and best orientation given is: search for a nutritionist, he/she is the only able professional to organize your diet according to your real needs.

Camila Marini
Nutritionist – CRN2 13716
Specialist in Exercise Physiology (UFRGS)
Specialist in Food Behavior (IPGS)
Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt

With a proposal of valuing past champions, the UAEJJF came up the King of Mats, inviting most athletes that had success in World Professional Championship and Grand Slams held by the organization.
Having two months of preparation, Samuel has been among ten names who were going to compete in 69kg division, undoubtedly the most disputed of the event. The athletes were divided by two groups of five, fighting against all in the group, qualifying the two best to the next stage.
In his first fight Samuel caught Jose Luis (GF Team) through a toe hold, the second one against Leonardo Saggioro (BTT) loss by 8-0, the third and most intense challenge was a 2-2 with Isaque Paiva (Saikoo) staying ahead by one advantage. The third fight and already without much chance of qualifying for both athletes had Samuel winning with a beautiful knee bar against Hiago George (Cicero Costha).

In the last April 23rd, the United Arab Emirates Jiu-Jitsu Federation celebrated the end of the 2016/17 season in great style. The red carpet of the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, received a celebration strict to invitees and ranked athletes.

With a solid campaign in events held in the United Arab Emirates, such as Dubai, Das Al Khaimah and Sharjah International Pros, as well in the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam, Samuel H Canquerino achieved the third place in the master 1 No Gi ranking, staying behind Maurício Antunes and Paulo Pinto respectively.

After an average performance in Ras al Khaimah, Samuel gave sequence to the UAEJJF schedule reaching the Emirate of Sharjah. Looking for the No Gi ranking among masters, Samuel became -83kg champion, where in a disputed final, caught the knee of the Emirati Talib al Kerbi.

In the second day of championship, fighting with the Gi in the -77kg division among adults, Samuel made his way to the final after taking Melk Franco’s foot, having Tiago Bravo as the final opponent, where in stalled fight after attacking the foot got swept already in the end of the fight, therefore taking the second place.

An unusual day in the Polish city of Poznan, with four medals in dispute involving Gi and No-Gi weight and open class, Samuel attended the Poznan International Open.
Starting with the only fight in the lightweight, Samuel got surprised by Krzystof Suchorabski (Gracie Barra), who applied a strong Estima-lock, enough to hurt his ankle already in the first fight of the event. Willing to make worth the travelled distance, joined the open class and winning the first challenge by points against Marek Zbrog (Gracie Barra), found himself facing Krzystof in the open class final. Even paying more attention on the attacks of the dangerous Polish, had no success losing by 7-2.
Time to take off the Gi and put the rash guard on, all of these in the same day. At this time, the lightweight had more contenders, Samuel started by winning the excellent Ashley Williams (Gracie Barra) by referees’ decision, finding once again Krzystof in the final. Knowing the opponent’s qualities, and having no kimono grips, Samuel was caught in another foot lock, not avoiding the third loss for the Polish.
Seems hard to imagine, but in the fourth attempt of the day, Samuel finally achieved his gold medal. In the No-Gi open class, was able to neutralize the good guard of Lukasz Niejodek (Gracie Barra) winning by points and making his way to the final. In the grand final faced Marek Zbrog (Gracie Barra), where after scoring points, was able to increase the pace and apply a tight Kimura from the top half guard.

After a six months period recovering from a left knee surgery, Samuel set his return to competitions at London Grand Slam, the last leg from a four event series in the UAEJJF’S 2015/16 calendar. After winning two Brazilians in the preliminary fights, Samuel guaranteed the gold by beating the tough Polish Maciej Polok (Gracie Barra), achieving his first title at Master 1/77kg division.

The Shape Gym in partnership with SHC BJJ Team hosted in the past July 18th and 19th an exclusive seminar with the athlete Márcio André Barbosa Jr., as if that was not enough for the Jiu-Jitsu scene of the region, the woman had a chance to train with the athlete Brenda Heller in a initiative to which aims to promote the female Jiu-Jitsu.

The event had participation of schools such as Gracie Barra, Sul Jiu-Jitsu, JA Jiu-Jitsu and SHC BJJ Team. We thank Shape Gym and Pães do Sul Bakery for the whole support.

Neither cold weather, nor communication were barriers for professor Samuel Hertzog Canquerino leave Russias capital with a positive participation.
The 2014 Moscow Open, held at CSKA gymnasium in November 7th & 8th, was the first ever IBJJF tournament in Russian territory. Samuel got the attention by being weight and absolute champion in the balck belt adult No Gi division.
In a battle full of sweeps, Samuel won the weight class by scoring 8-2 against Robson Borges (Alliance). In the open, in a thrilling fight against the brave equatorian Jorge Santisteven (Alliance), the victory came through a guard pass.
The second day of the event, now wearing the gi, Samuel once again dominated the light weight by a two advantages victory against the english Oliver Geddes (Roger Gracie). In the absolute, through a team work in order to earn the necessary points for joining the 2015 Worlds, Samuel had the support from Thiago Borges (GF Team) and Renato de Moraes (Frontline) for closing out with Igor Silva (GF Team), who is also an United Arab Emirates resident.

Zadar Open: Samuel Canquerino takes gold in weight and bronze in absolute in Croatia

On September 20, the city of Zadar hosted the first IBJJF Open in Croatia, for the black belt Samuel Hertzog Canquerino a great opportunity in the search for experience in smaller competitions, in addition to gaining points needed to qualify for The 2015 World Championship.
Competing in lightweight, Samuel came out the winner in tight end against Englishman Oliver Geddes (Roger Gracie), the clash was decided by only a four-point reversal advantage and ending in an intense way with Oliver scraping at all costs.
Already in the absolute after winning the Swiss Thomas Oyarzun (Alliance), Samuel had a knee injury during a key attack against the very heavyweight Antonio Henriques Junior (Roger Gracie), making his continuation in the fight impracticable, thus ending with the third Placement in the open.

The black belt Samuel Hertzog Canquerino, currently based in Abu Dhabi, brings with exclusivity to graciemag.com a position to surprise the opponents who like to climb to pass guard. The technique is known in the South Jiu-Jitsu academy as knee-jerking in allusion to the impact of the hip under the knee, but may vary from school to school.