Paraense jiu-jitsu athlete wins gold at the ADCC Brazilian Nationals
Eike Fernandez's achievement reinforces the importance of the Government of Pará's support for the training of athletes
With the support of the Government of Pará, through the State Secretariat of Sports and Leisure (Seel), the paraense athlete Eike Fernandez, 14 years old, shone at the ADCC Brazilian Nationals 2025 - one of the most prestigious competitions in the world of grappling. He won the gold medal in the Super Heavyweight category, bringing Pará to the top of the podium.
The tournament, held from November 1st to 2nd, at the JD Morada do Sol Rei Pelé Sports Center in Indaiatuba (SP), brought together hundreds of athletes of various ages and regions of Brazil. Considered one of the most important events on the grappling calendar, the ADCC (Abu Dhabi Combat Club) is internationally recognized for revealing great talents in grappling, a modality that combines techniques from jiu-jitsu, wrestling, and submission.
The State Secretary of Sports and Leisure, Cássio Andrade, highlighted the importance of the result and the role of government support in training young talents in paraense sports. “Eike is an example of the new generation of paraense sports, which has shown talent and dedication in national and international competitions. The Government of Pará, through Seel, is committed to supporting these athletes, ensuring opportunities for them to grow in sports and represent the State with pride. Each achievement like this reinforces that we are on the right track, investing in the foundation and future of our sport,” said the secretary.
Gratitude - The athlete's father, Edson Fernandez, thanked for the support received and emphasized his son's effort to achieve first place. “I feel immense pride seeing my son realize his dreams and bring the name of Pará to the podium. This achievement is the result of much effort and sacrifices. Therefore, my pride and gratitude extend to the state government and Seel, which do not only support athletes but entire families. This security allows us to focus on what really matters: the well-being and development of our families. This Program transforms lives, showing that, with the right encouragement, our youth can go very far. On behalf of all athlete parents, thank you very much,” said Edson.
Eike Fernandez spoke about the emotion of reaching the highest place on the podium. “It is a tremendous honor to bring the name of Pará to the podium of one of the biggest competitions in the world, the ADCC Brazilian Nationals, and return home with the gold medal won. It is the result of intense work, and it would not be possible without the decisive support of the Government of Pará, through Seel. I am deeply grateful for the trust in my potential and for the opportunity to represent our State in high-level championships. Thank you very much for allowing me to take the name of Pará even further,” added the athlete.
The Government of Pará, through Seel, continues to strengthen sports throughout the State with incentive programs and direct support to over 1,500 athletes in various modalities, from grassroots sports to high performance, ensuring conditions for paraense talents to achieve national and international prominence.
