Felipe “Preguiça” Pena is in California preparing for the 2016 World BJJ Championships. He is widely considered to be one of the favorites in his weight class.
Jiu-jitsu Times talked to “Preguiça” about his preparations, strategy and mental focus before the biggest IBJJF event of the year.
Jiu-Jitsu Times: Felipe, you have been competing at the world level for many years and have won many titles. We are talking just before the big event. How are you feeling and how has your training gone in your training camp?
Felipe : I have been training the hardest I can with my teammates in Brazil and at Romulo Barral’s school and I feel ready and focused to do this tournament!
Jiu-Jitsu Times: Can you please talk a little about what it takes to be prepared for a major event like the 2016 World Championships? How many training sessions per day have you been doing? What about your conditioning sessions, nutrition program, training partners, coaches, and preparation for the fight?
Felipe : I train 3 times a day, that including conditioning sessions. But besides the physical part, you need to have a good mentality and that I think is the hardest part for most of the athletes.
Jiu-Jitsu Times: Who are the strongest competitors in your weight category? Do you and your team create specific strategies for the top guys in your bracket? Do you have any surprises ready for your opponents?
Felipe : There are many guys, like Jackson Souza, Andre Galvao, Erberth Santos and many others competitors. It’s the Worlds you know. I can list 10 top athletes in each division!
Hahaha I have some new techniques and new strategy I have been doing in training and I will try that on the tournament.
Jiu-Jitsu Times: What are your mental preparations like for the two days of the competition? How do you deal with the stress and nerves before your matches? How do you get the sharp mental focus before the match?
Felipe : I like to just relax you know. Do others things I like to do it besides jiu-jitsu to don’t think too much about the competition. Everything I could have done, I did for this tournament so now is time to rest, talk with family and friends to get a good energy and do our best on the competition.
Jiu-Jitsu Times: Do you want to thank any sponsors, coaches, and training partners for helping in your quest for the World Championships?
Felipe : I would like to thank all my students FP TEAM, GBBH, Team Romulo Barral, Bruno Victor my conditioning coach, all my professors, and my main sponsors STORM, CHOKE and ELEMENTOS DO CORPO.
Thank you!
Jiu-jitsu Times wishes Good Luck to Felipe “Preguiça” Pena in his quest for the World Title!
