Arturo Lezcano Makes History with Paraguay's First Grand Slam Kids Gold
Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Six-year-old Arturo Lezcano of Paraguay won the first gold medal for his country in the Kids category at an AJP Tour Grand Slam event.
- Lezcano secured the gold in the Gi, gray belt division at the Rio de Janeiro Grand Slam, a major international jiu-jitsu tournament.
- He also won a silver medal at a separate IBJJF Winter Kids event, while his teammate Fabricio Villasanti earned three silver medals across both competitions.
Paraguayan jiu-jitsu prodigy Arturo Lezcano, just six years old, has made history by securing his nation's first gold medal in the Kids division of an AJP Tour Grand Slam. The young athlete achieved this milestone at the prestigious Rio de Janeiro Grand Slam, a key event on the international jiu-jitsu calendar.
Competing in the Gi, gray belt category, Lezcano represented La Torita BJJ - Checkmat Paraguay and emerged victorious. This win marks a significant achievement for Paraguayan jiu-jitsu on the international stage, as he is the first Paraguayan, male or female, to win gold in the Kids Grand Slam divisions organized by the UAEJJF and AJP.
The young champion's success didn't end there. The following day, he competed in the Winter Kids tournament hosted by the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) in Rio de Janeiro, where he earned a silver medal after a closely contested final.
Lezcano's teammate, Fabricio Villasanti, also from La Torita BJJ - Checkmat Paraguay, delivered a strong performance, capturing three silver medals across both the AJP Grand Slam and the IBJJF Winter Kids events. Their achievements highlight the growing strength and development of Paraguayan jiu-jitsu, showcasing the effective training programs of their academy.
Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.