Leticia Ribeiro kommer att vara instuktör på Girls Only lägret som är den 2-4 mars 2012.

How and when did start training Jiu-Jitsu?
It was in 1995 at Gracie Tijuca. I was teenager and I did not like to work out a lot and be at the gym to be ”fit”, like lifting weights. I always preferred to practice sports outdoor, at the beach or in the forest. Then a friend of mine invited me to go to a Jiu-Jitsu class. After my first class I fell in love with Jiu-Jitsu. Training 3 times a day, every day. I started to compete and I never stopped…

Can you tell us a bit about your childhood and growing up in Brazil?
Brazil is a great country. The people there are so athletic especially in my City, Rio.  And as I said before I practiced a lot of sports when I was a kid. I knew that I would be an athlete one day, but I didn’t know in what sport it would be. I’m happy that I chose Jiu-Jitsu. It’s my life.

How come you moved from Brazil to San Diego in the US?
My first time in USA was in 2001, I think. Since then I started to go every year to compete at the Pan-Ams. In 2007 was the first year that the world championship was in USA. Then I decided to move, because everything was happening there. It was o good choice for my career as a teacher.

When and from who did you receive your black belt?
I got my black belt in 2000 after my first world championship title. I’m a black belt under Royler Gracie and Vinisius Aieta from Gracie Humaita School.

You will instruct at Nacka Dojos female camp ‘Girls Only’ for the second time, what do you think about the camp?
Yes, it’s my second time at the Girls Only Camp. The camp is great. I can see that many girls have a lot of potential. I’m so excited to teach in Sweden again. I’m so happy to be part of it and to be a motivation for many girls to keep going in the sport that I love.

What are your plans for this camp?
I will do my best as always. At this time I’m bringing with me my best student, Beatriz Mesquita and I think it will be so good for the girls to meet her and have the opportunity to train with a champion like her.

What connection do you have to Nacka Dojo?
The first time that I was in Norway, in 2010, I met Maxine Thylin at my seminar. She is a student of Ricard Carneborn, the head coach of Nacka Dojo. Since then, she started to go to San Diego to train with me and the last year they invited me to teach at the camp for the first time.

Do you have Jiu-Jitsu as a full time job?
Yes I do and I’m so happy that I can do what I love to do all day. It’s a good life…Thanks God.

Which of your competition achievements do you value the most?
All of them are important, but the world championship is a different feeling, special. It’s always good to win.

Which individual has meant the most to your Jiu-Jitsu?
Royler Gracie is my idol in the sport since I started. I saw when he won all his world titles and it was a good motivation for me to be part of his team and train together in that moment of his career.

What do you think about the development of the Swedish female grapplers?
Sweden has a big potential in the sport. Not just in Sweden, but Scandinavia in general. There are already many black belts and world champions. I really hope the sport continues to grow. That’s why I’m here too.

You have your own signature gi from Atama, can you tell us how it came about?
I got really happy and excited when Atama asked me for that. I think it’s a dream for everyone to have a signature gi. I could never imagine this before. I’m honored to represent a big brand like Atama. The gi is a success of sales and the second edition is coming soon. I hope you girls like it.

Favorite submission?
Armbar, from everywhere.

Any last words?
I just want to say thanks for all motivations messages, for my sponsors Atama Fight Gear and OTM Fight Shop, Nacka Dojo and Grapplingbloggen for the interview.Thanks all!