Lucas Protasio talks about how his life changed after becoming a champion in the AJP

August 25, 2023

Making a living from Jiu-Jitsu is not an easily attainable dream. Dedication, training, and overcoming the many difficulties that will arise along the way are just some of the hurdles that pave the way to that goal. For Brazilian black belt Lucas Protasio, however, that dream has come true, and AJP played a key role in his achievement.

The champion of the 2021-2022 ranking, Lucas had AJP's support to travel the world and discover new and exciting places, all while training and soaking in all that international knowledge before competing in the AJP tournaments. With the points gained during the season, Lucas reached the top of the ranking and earned a substantial cash prize, which not only turned his life around but also motivated the athlete to dedicate himself even more to Jiu-Jitsu.

"AJP has several championships throughout the year, all over the world. This means we get to explore new places and practice Jiu-Jitsu in those new areas", Lucas tells AJPTour.com. "Furthermore, with the prizes that come from tournaments such as the Grand Slam and World Pro, not to mention becoming a ranking champion, which I was in the 2021-2022 season, athletes have even more incentive to fight in these events, improving their Jiu-Jitsu and traveling to reach their goals."

However, the support AJP provides is not limited to the mats, as Lucas quickly points out. As an athlete for the organization, the Brazilian black belt has been to countries he'd never even dreamed about. According to Lucas, his journey alongside AJP has led him to experience brand-new cultures and enjoy Jiu-Jitsu in other parts of the world, ultimately leading him to grow on a personal level.

"Getting to know other countries in continents like Europe and Asia through Jiu-Jitsu and AJP's backing felt very rewarding. The support they gave me over the years has allowed me to visit these new places and take my Jiu-Jitsu to the next level. I've faced different climates, other kinds of training, and increasingly tough opponents. All these new challenges led me to build up my game and my mind. I've since decided to fully dedicate myself to AJP, focusing on their tournaments and ruleset, aiming not only for the top of the podium but also the title of best in the season."

His victories on the mats, which brought him to the top of the ranking and gifted him with that big cash prize, didn't just change Lucas' life but also showed him that his efforts were not misguided. At that moment, he learned that Jiu-Jitsu can indeed be a sport that values its competitors as professionals.

"The feeling of victory is indescribable. However, when that feeling came alongside the prize, it all became even sweeter. You feel valued, and ready to fight even harder for the titles. No other organization in the world awards its athletes like AJP. After rising to the top of the ranking, I've had a clear view of my career and achievements, of how Jiu-Jitsu can bring about great things to those who dedicate themselves to it. I changed my life through Jiu-Jitsu. And I'm not talking about financial rewards, I mean personal values."