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Roberto Cláudio das Neves Leitão (15 May 1937 – 28 November 2020) was a Brazilian martial artist in Luta Livre, or Brazilian Catch Wrestling. He was a 4th degree blackbelt in Judo, while also having 60 years in Luta Livre. He dedicated himself to flawless technique.

Biography

He held a degree in mechanical engineering. He was university professor who continuously wrote about martial arts and grappling. He would lead the way for Luta Livre during the 1970s.

Roberto trained a number of grapplers including Renato Sobral, Pedro Rizzo and Marco Ruas. Additionally he is said to be an instructor of José Aldo. He would also train with 1984 Greco Roman Superheavyweight Gold medalist, Jeff Blatnick for Blatnick's run in MMA. Roberto was the coach of Renato Babalu, whom he coached to a knockout over Ilioukhine Mikhail. His son would serve as the superintendent of the Brazilian Confederation of Associated Wrestling and was an athlete at the Olympic Games at Seoul 1988 and Barcelona 1992.

He died from COVID-19 in Rio de Janeiro on 11 November 2020.

References

1. ^ "Roberto Leitão on Instagram: "Hoje, às 9h, o mestre Leitão descansou. Obrigada a todos que estiveram com ele durante toda sua caminhada e em especial em pensamento durante esse último mês. O mestre lutou por tudo na vida sem nunca se queixar. Vitorioso por formar uma família que aprendeu os verdadeiros valores da vida, engenheiro competente, artista sensível, filho, irmão, marido, avô e pai primoroso, não havia quem não gostasse de sua companhia. Fez do seu amor à luta uma escola. Ensinou, treinou, incentivou e estimulou muitos ao esporte e à saúde física e mental aqueles que tiveram o privilégio de estar próximos a ele. Descanse em paz, você cumpriu seu caminho como verdadeiro mestre. Somos gratos por ter tido o privilégio de fazer parte da sua jornada. Com todo amor, seu filhos, netos, genro e nora."".
2. ^ "The 10 Principles Of Grappling, By Luta Livre Master Roberto Leitao | Bjj Eastern Europe". bjjee.com. Retrieved 2014-10-29.
3. TATAME (2020-11-28). "Precursor da Luta Olímpica no Brasil, Mestre Roberto Leitão morre aos 83 anos vítima da Covid-19". Terra.
4. ^ Marcelo Alonso (November 30, 2020). "Revered Coach, Leg Lock Specialist Roberto Leitao Dies of COVID-19 at Age 83". sherdog.com.
5. "MMA History XVIII: The Losses of Luta Livre – Bloody Elbow". bloodyelbow.com. 10 January 2009. Retrieved 2014-10-29.
6. "History of Andyconda Luta Livre – Luta-Livre brazilian Grappling and MMA". lutalivre.net. Retrieved 2014-10-29.
7. ^ Snowden, J.; Shields, K. (2010). The MMA Encyclopedia. ECW Press. ISBN 9781554908448. Retrieved 2014-10-29.
8. "Old Wounds |  FIGHT! Magazine – Archives". fightmagazine.com. Archived from the original on 2014-10-29. Retrieved 2014-10-29.
9. sportv.globo.com
10. "New York Magazine". Newyorkmetro.com. New York Media, LLC: 43. 1996-02-19. ISSN 0028-7369. Retrieved 2014-10-29.
11. "Black Belt". Black Belt. Buyer's Guide. Active Interest Media, Inc.: 16 July 2000. ISSN 0277-3066. Retrieved 2014-10-29.
12. "News | Rio 2016". Rio2016.com. Rio 2016 Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Archived from the original on 2015-06-23. Retrieved 2014-10-29.
13. Marcelo Alonso (November 30, 2020). "Revered Coach, Leg Lock Specialist Roberto Leitao Dies of COVID-19 at Age 83". sherdog.com.

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