Kelli Saunders
Staff Writer
Mira Costa junior Jean Paul Lebosnoyani, a world champion in the martial art Jiu Jitsu, continues to keep his spot as number one in the world with every match he fights.
Lebosnoyani competed in the World Championships at the Long Beach Pyramid on Nov. 1, receiving two first place gold medals for his accomplishments.
“I was thinking only positive thoughts,” Lebosonyani said. “I saw myself with a gold medal around my neck and never once did losing cross my mind.”
Lebosnoyani and his opponent, both blue belts, or the highest level for their age group, were ranked first and second in their age divisions. Lebosnoyani won the open weight class by taking him down, mounting him, and arm locking him to finish out the match in under a minute.
“I stayed focused the entire time,” Lebosnoyani said, “I made quick movements to control my opponent and was able to keep him in an arm lock to defeat him.”
Lebosnoyani has been training and competing in the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) World Championships since he was eight years old. For seven years he has been defending his world title and continues to defeat all of his opponents to stay at number one.
“I have been preparing for this tournament my entire life as with every tournament because each one determines my overall ranking,” Lebosnoyani said.
For the past four years, when Lebosnoyani has entered a tournament to fight, his opponents forfeit leaving him winner by default. Because he struggles to find opponents, Lebosnoyani moves up to adult divisions and open weight categories.
“Being entered into the open weight category tests my skills,”Lebosnoyani said. “It teaches me to be able to fight anyone no matter their size.”
Three months ago, Lebosnoyani started training with Kron Gracie, a former world champion, aside from his daily training with his father to prepare for a series of competitions. Lebosnoyani trains before and after school for almost seven hours a day and trains with Gracie twice a week.
“Ever since I can remember, my father has been teaching me what his teachers have passed on to him,” Lebosnoyani said. “That is what has gotten me to where I am today.”
When Lebosnoyani turns eighteen, he will be signed into the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the largest mixed martial arts promotional company in the world.
“I defend my title with every match I fight, “Lebosnoyani said. “Every match is equally important for me because any loss has the ability to take my title.”
Lebosnoyani will be flying to Paris, France on Nov. 12 to compete in the European World Championships against people from all over the world to defend his world title. He has prepared for this match with his father’s coaching and Kron Gracie as well.
“Jean Paul has always worked extremely hard,” Lebosnoyani’s father said, “He constantly challenges himself, and he naturally has the drive to push himself to stay the world champion.”
Lebosnoyani hopes to win the men’s blackbelt division for his age and weight group. He will compete in several matches throughout the weekend.
“Even though I am ranked number one in the world, my mentality is to stay humble,” Lebosnoyani said. “I remind myself that there is always someone working harder than I am and there is always someone better than me whom I can learn from.”
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