Name: Luzimery Garcia 

Rank: Purple Belt- Ranked #3 at Flograppling and #7 IBJJF

Hometown: Luanda, Angola 

Where you train:  Paradigm Training Center, GF Team- Houston 

How long have you been training? 6 years so far 

Favorite Gi? Soltinho Kimonos Angola black and purple 

What’s in your gym bag?  

In my gym bag, I carry my Gi, sneakers, and Airpods.

Favorite submission?

Americana and arm-bars 

Favorite thing about the Jiu Jitsu community in Texas?

I am not too knowledgeable about the Jiu-Jitsu community in Texas, but I have great teammates here.   

What’s one thing you would change about the Texas Jiu Jitsu community?

From the mild experience I have of the Jiu-Jitsu community in Texas, I would say that supporting and giving advice to each other more in seminars would be helpful and appreciated.

What is your greatest accomplishment?

One of my biggest achievements was being a Purple Belt World Champion this year.

What has been your biggest struggle in Jiu Jitsu?  

So far, I have not had any struggles in Jiu-Jitsu, therefore I am grateful and trust God's timing.

If you could give any advice to your white belt self, what would it be?

Practice more drills, don’t give up and learn from yourself!

What motivates you to train on days when you just don’t feel like it?

I remind myself that giving at least 1 % is better than giving nothing at all.

If you could take a private lesson with any Jiu Jitsu practitioner who would it be?

Mahamed Aly. I consider him to be the best of all time, I really admire his technique and he has been someone who I’ve looked up too since the early stages of my career and life. 

Who is your favorite competitor to watch?

 My coaches Marcus Bello and Wancler Oliveira, and of course, Mahamed Aly. 

Who is your favorite TX competitor to watch?

Nathiely de Jesus, Joao Gabriel, and Rafael Formiga 

What’s your perfect Jiu Jitsu playlist?

I like to shuffle my songs, but I don’t have a specific one per se. 

What do you remember about your first day of Jiu Jitsu?

Around 6 years ago a friend gave me a pink Gi and the feeling was amazing.

What do you remember about your first tournament?

I remember how hard I had trained for it and defeating my opponent made me so excited

and proud of myself, I couldn’t wait for my next match.

What is your post-competition meal/restaurant?

Mod pizza- I learned about it from my coach Marcus Bello. 

When you’re not training Jiu Jitsu, where can we most likely find you?

At the gym doing hit with Brelion and Cameron or home. 

Anything exciting coming up?

The challenges I’ll have in Houston and everything I am anxiously waiting to learn and grow as a fighter and personally.

When someone tells me "you shouldn't be training at all if you're pregnant"

Trying to do the warm-ups like............... 

White belts when you tell them to flow roll with you.....

When I convince a male training partner to roll with me......

When I pass an upper belts guard because they're being super nice to me.....

When someone asks why I'm doing another round after I said I was done....

When I'm tired, but someone asks why I'm not rolling.....

When I'm hormonal and Mike is carefully trying to explain why he can't roll every round with me....

When someone tells me horror stories about not being able to train after the baby....

When a mac and cheese craving hits during a round.......

When I mention competing at Master Worlds next year and someone says I can't.....