(photo: Reproduction/Instagram)
Jiu-jitsu lost this Thursday (25/12), Christmas Day, one of the most visionary and beloved figures in the sport. Cláudio de Mattos Cardoso, known as Caloquinha, died in Belo Horizonte at the age of 44. The fighter and businessman was hospitalized at Vila da Serra Hospital, where he was fighting cancer.
In addition to a successful career on the mats as an athlete for Gracie Barra BH, Caloquinha leaves a transformative legacy as a sports manager. He was the founder and president of BJJ Storman event that was born in 2022 and quickly became a national power, raising the level of professionalism of competitions in Minas Gerais.
A direct disciple of Master Vinicius Draculino, Caloquinha was Brazilian Champion (CBJJ), silver medalist at the Abu Dhabi World Pro and coach on the reality show of BJJ Stars – one of the biggest competitions in Brazil.
The early death generated a wave of commotion in jiu-jitsu among athletes, teachers, students and fans of Caloquinha. Five-time IBJJF world champion and ADCC winner, Rômulo Barral, for example, posted several photos on Instagram alongside Caloquinha and praised his friend. “You will never stop! Eternal love. Missing you. See you again, my little brother. You were one of the best people I met in my life, Claudinho. Rest in peace, brother”, he published.
Draculino published an open farewell letter, praising the disciple’s integrity. “You leave now after having done what you have always done: fighting forward, with spirit. (…) Gracie Barra BH today loses one of its greatest heroes and pillars”, wrote the Master.
Multi-time world champion Felipe Preguiça, in turn, highlighted Caloquinha’s values off the mat. “I have always admired your truth in you, something increasingly rare in today’s world. A giant heart, many projects, social actions and a genuine desire to help others. I will always remember your kindness, sincerity and the great warrior you were at all times”, he highlighted.
Cláudio Caloquinha leaves behind family members, a legion of students and a void in sports entrepreneurship in Minas Gerais. The wake will be this Friday (26/12), at 2pm, at the Bosque da Esperança Cemetery and Crematorium.
Caloquinha and BJJ Storm
Caloquinha’s trajectory as an organizer was meteoric. In an interview given to No Attack in March this year, he detailed how he transformed the BJJ Storm in national reference. His vision was clear: to treat the athlete with the respect he felt was lacking when he was competing.
Under his management, the event stood out for its strict punctuality, cash prizes that exceeded R$150,000 and an unprecedented cleaning and organization structure.
“The purpose is greater than profit,” Caloquinha told No Attackand on that occasion, explaining the philosophy of “doing it from the heart” and delivering high quality medals and belts.
He also implemented an innovative ranking system, which rewarded the best athletes in each belt with tickets to compete in the IBJJF World Championship in California.
Social Impact: Conscious Jiu-Jitsu
In addition to medals and business, Cláudio had a strong social streak. He led the Jiu-Jitsu Consciente project, aimed at needy communities, such as Morro do Papagaio, in BH.
Its objective was to use gentle art as a tool for transformation, planning to offer not only training, but psychological support, financial education and teaching English to vulnerable young people. “I want to show the importance of jiu-jitsu in removing many children from crime and showing the correct path,” he said in his last interview.
See Caloquinha’s main achievements:
- Brazilian Champion (2014 – IBJJF)
- South American Champion (2009 – CBJJE)
- World Cup Champion (2009 – CBJJE)
- Brazilian Cup Champion (2009 – CBJJE)
- SP Cup winner (2010)
- Silver Medal at the World Pro Cup (2009 and 2010 – Abu Dhabi)
- Silver Medal at the European Championship (2006 – IBJJF/CBJJ)
- Silver Medal at Rio Open (2009 – IBJJF/CBJJ)
- Bronze Medal at the No-Gi World Championship (2008)
- Bronze Medal at the No-Gi Pan-American Championships (2008)
Remember Caloquinha’s interview with No Attack:
