INTERNATIONAL BRAZILIAN LUTA LIVRE FEDERATION

The International Brazilian Luta Livre Federation is a creation of Master Rolando Carrizo Ortiz with the unconditional support of Grand Masters Roberto Leitão and João Ricardo whose design began in the early 2000s and came to fruition in 2008.

Its birth was made official on the occasion of the first South American Luta Livre tournament in history, held in December of that year, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, with the presence and support of the Grand Masters Roberto Leitão, João Ricardo and Eugenio Tadeu, who, at that time, they had the ranks of 10th, 9th and 7th Dan respectively, being the Masters with the highest degrees and importance in activity.

As Brazilian Luta Livre is the union of the two factions of our martial art (Luta Livre and Luta Livre Esportiva), those who at that time were the top active figures of both were invited: Grand Masters Roberto Leitão and João Ricardo (Luta Livre) and Eugenio Tadeu (Luta Livre Esportiva).

At that time the IBLLF was born with the name “Union” instead of “Federation” at the request of Grand Master Roberto Leitão.

IBLLF focused on working silently on the support and development of Brazilian Luta Livre instructors and practitioners mainly outside of Brazil, focusing on the countries of the world where our martial art existed and trying to sow seeds where there were none.

In 2015, with the resurgence of Grand Master Hugo Duarte on the scene of our martial art, there was open support from him, who, together with Grand Masters Roberto Leitão and João Ricardo, made some videos in support of our federation.

During all these years the work of IBLLF was not focused on the simple organization of tournaments but on the development of Brazilian Luta Livre throughout the world. Without a doubt a silent task but as necessary as it is important.

Today, as from the beginning, the President of IBLLF is Grand Master João Ricardo, being the greatest living reference as well as the greatest hero of our martial art. Therefore, there is no greater distinction or sign of authenticity than belonging to an entity led by him, having been blessed and supported until the end by Grand Master Roberto Leitão, the greatest figure of modern Luta Livre.