Rider Zuchi

Rider Zuchi was born on May 25, 1996, in Santana, a small town in the northern region of the Brazilian state of São Paulo. Raised in a modest, small-town environment far from the major urban training centers, Rider was introduced to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at the age of 15 through his father's encouragement — a defining moment that would shape his entire athletic trajectory. His first formal instructor, Giannini Carlos, laid the technical foundation that would later distinguish Rider as one of the standout competitors of his generation. That grounded, determined character forged in a small Brazilian town carried through every stage of his development.

Rider Zuchi's ascent through the belt ranks was shaped by an exceptional collection of coaching influences. After his formative years under Giannini Carlos, he trained with Fábio Negão, whose guidance further refined his technical game. He then came under the mentorship of Leandro Lo — one of the most celebrated competitors in the sport's history — who promoted Rider to brown belt, marking his arrival as a serious contender on the competitive circuit.

Rider subsequently worked closely with Diogo Nascimento, who promoted him to black belt on November 26, 2019, formalizing his transition into the sport's highest competitive tier. His official black belt lineage is credited under Augusto Ferrari, with whom he also trained extensively. Throughout his career, Rider has represented both Ns Brotherhood and Lotus Club, two well-regarded teams within the Brazilian grappling community. The breadth of high-level coaching he accumulated across multiple respected instructors and competitive environments speaks directly to the depth of his commitment and the quality of his preparation at every stage.

Rider Zuchi's 2019 brown belt campaign stands as one of the more impressive single-season performances on the IBJJF circuit from a competitor of his generation. Competing in the super heavyweight category, he mounted a dominant run through the Brazilian and South American circuits that firmly established his name among the sport's elite prospects.

Rider captured the CBJJ Brazilian Nationals title in both the Gi and No-Gi formats — a rare double that underscored his versatility and consistency across different rulesets. He also claimed gold at the 2019 IBJJF South American Championship and added the 2019 IBJJF Curitiba BJJ Pro Championship to his résumé, demonstrating his ability to perform across multiple major events within the same competitive year. A bronze medal at the CBJJ Brazilian Nationals Gi further deepened his tournament record. Taken together, Rider's brown belt season served as the foundation upon which his reputation as a top-tier competitor was built.

Rider Zuchi entered the black belt ranks in the Super Pesado division (100.50 kg / 222.0 lbs) and wasted little time signaling his readiness for the sport's highest level. His black belt debut at the Copa Podio Heavyweight Grand Prix in 2019 drew immediate attention, as he advanced through a field of accomplished heavyweights to finish as runner-up — a result that announced his arrival on the international stage.

Building Consistency on the International Circuit

The years that followed saw Rider establish himself as a durable and consistent presence across major organizations. In 2020, he reached the final of the AJP Grand Slam in Rio de Janeiro, finishing runner-up. In 2021, he claimed silver at the CBJJ Brazilian Nationals. The 2022 season marked a significant high point: Rider captured gold at the 2022 CBJJ Brazilian Nationals and won the 2022 AJP Grand Slam RJ, delivering the top black belt titles that had been within reach for several seasons.

IBJJF World Championship Podium Appearances

Rider's performances at the IBJJF World Championship cemented his standing as one of the top super heavyweights in the world. He earned bronze medals at the IBJJF World Championship in 2022, 2023, and 2024 — three consecutive podium appearances at the sport's most prestigious annual event, reflecting both his sustained competitive level and his durability across multiple cycles. He also reached the final of the IBJJF European Open in 2023, finishing runner-up in a result that reinforced his standing as a consistent international competitor. Rider Zuchi's black belt career, built across multiple major organizations and spanning several years of high-level competition, reflects the full realization of the potential he first demonstrated during his celebrated brown belt run.