Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world champion shot dead in Brazil on Sunday

The Jiu-Jitsu world is mourning the loss of one of its most legendary champions, Leandro Lo, after he was shot in the head in Brazil over the weekend. Lo was at a concert in Sao Paulo on Sunday when the incident took place.

According to witnesses, a lone man approached the table Lo and his friends were at, took a bottle from it and waved it around in a menacing way. Lo subdued the man, but when the two were separated, he shot Lo in the forehead.

A family lawyer who represents the Lo family, Ivan Siqueira Junior, shared that Lo and his friends tried to de-escalate the situation, but the suspect pulled out a gun and fired at Lo. Onlookers also shared that the suspect continued to kick Lo after he was already on the ground with a bullet wound.

After being transported to the hospital, he was declared brain-dead and taken off life support. Lo’s family said the damage done was irreversible.

Lo sprung onto the Jiu-Jitsu scene in 2011 and had dominated the sport since then. He won eight World Championship titles across five different weight classes making him one of the most decorated Jiu-Jitsu fighters of all time. Just earlier this year, he won another World Championship in California, the site reported.

Lo will be greatly missed in the Jiu-Jitsu world, but his memory will live on.

The International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation called him “one of the greatest athletes our sport has ever produced”.

“An example of a true black belt, martial artist and champion on and off the mats,” the federation tweeted.

Leandro Lo was 33-years-old. The assailant has not been arrested.