Rider Zuchi

Born and raised in the small town of Santana, Brazil, Rider Zuchi is following in the footsteps of his former coach – the late, great Leandro Lo – to become one of the top Brazilian jiu-jitsu athletes of his generation. 

Like many young Brazilian kids, Rider dreamed of becoming a professional soccer player. However, when he discovered jiu-jitsu as a teen in 2011, he immediately knew that his future was not on the turf, but on the mat. However, after showing promise in his early belts, he hit a slump when he reached purple belt. It was then that he made one of the most important decisions of his career: to train at the world-renowned New School Brotherhood, under legend Leandro Lo. 

The move paid off. Rider amassed a number of championship wins as a brown belt – in both his weight division and the absolute division. In 2019, he was promoted to black belt, after which he demonstrated himself to be a top contender in some of the sport’s biggest events. Despite his numerous achievements, he believes that he has yet to reach his peak. According to Rider, “I believe that the highest point of my career is yet to come, because I never stop evolving.” 

Some of Rider’s top accomplishments include: 

  • 1st – CBJJ Brasileiros 2022
  • 1st – AJP Grand Slam 2022
  • 1st – IBJJF South American 2022 (Medalist)
  • 3rd – IBJJF Brasileiros 2023 (Medalist)
  • 3rd – IBJJF Worlds 2022 (Medalist)
  • 3rd – IBJJF Worlds 2023 (Medalist)
  • 3rd – IBJJF Worlds 2024 (Medalist)
  • 3rd – IBJJF Europeans 2023 (Division)
  • 2nd – IBJJF Europeans 2023 (Absolute)
  • 3rd - IBJJF Worlds 2025 (Medalist)

Rider's Favorites Products:

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Did You Know?

Favorite Match: Leandro Lo vs. Felipe Pena – Copa Pódio

Person of Inspiration: Leandro Lo

Hometown: Zona Norte, São Paulo, Brazil

Started Jiu-Jitsu in: Lotus Club

Current Team: Fratres Jiu-Jitsu

Training Routine: 1 hour of positional training, 1 competition training, and 1 physical prep session

Favorite Post-Competition Meal: Churrasco (Brazilian barbecue)

Pre-Fight Ritual: Cover my belly button, say a prayer, take my supplements, and drink a lot of coffee

Greatest Victory So Far:  Making it to the finals of the Brazilian Nationals

Dream in Jiu-Jitsu: To become a world champion and inspire people to believe in their dreams

If I weren’t an athlete, I’d be...: Honestly, I’ve never seen myself not being an athlete 😅 Maybe I’d compete in another sport—if not, I probably wouldn’t be working at all 😂

Quote that represents me: "For we walk by faith, not by sight."

Favorite Kingz Gi: Nano

One piece of advice for beginners: Don’t skip steps. Study your own reality and enjoy the journey—it goes by fast!

Rider’s signature submission is the kata-gatame, or the arm-triangle, a technique that he sees as one of extreme dominance over one’s opponent. “The kata-gatame cannot be achieved by luck. It always has to be worked for.” That work ethic translates into his champion mindset, the secret to which he says is “Resilience. On and off the mats, never give up.”