On Sunday, eight-time Leandro Lo, a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu champion, was fatally shot during a concert in Sao Paolo, Brazil. The 33-year-old had gone to a prominent Sao Paolo music group early that morning to play at club Sirio in South Sao Paolo. During the performance, Lo got into an argument with an off-duty police officer, Henrique Otávio Oliveira Velozo, who was also present. According to the Sao Paolo police, the officer shot the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu icon after a short scuffle between Leandro Lo and Velozo. Authorities have not officially verified the cause of the altercation, but witnesses at the scene said Lo was trying to appease the officer.
UFC commentator and former lightweight Kenny Florian mourned Lo’s death on Twitter in response to the incident. Henrique Velozo was arrested shortly after the event. The situation is still under investigation.
The IBJJF and Jiu Jitsu community are deeply saddened to learn of Leandro Lo’s passing. Lo was 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 mat. Rest in peace legend. 🙏õ🕊 pic.twitter.com/lHK3n8pF4K
— IBJJF (@ibjjf) August 7, 2022
Everything there is to know about Leandro Lo
According to Flogappling, Leandro Lo of Sao Paolo was one of only three Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) athletes to have won eight IBJJF World Championships. He broke into the international BJJ scene when he won his first world championship in the lightweight class in 2012. Lo’s most recent win came on May 22 as a light heavyweight. Considered a diligent practitioner, Lo competed in numerous weight classes and won the light, middle and heavyweight competitions of the Copa Podio Grand Prix.
In addition to his contender status, Leandro Lo was considered a courteous and transparent teacher within the BJJ world. According to BJJ Heroes, he founded the New School Brotherhood team in 2015. He taught other contestants different defense methods that allowed them to win multiple wrestling championships around the world.
Sirio’s shooting at the club
According to the Brazilian newspaper Diario Momento, the dispute between Leandro Lo and Henrique Velozo started around 2 a.m. on Sunday. According to witnesses, Velozo allegedly grabbed a bottle when the disagreement degenerated into violence. This caused Lo to hold onto him with a BJJ arm lock. The crowd in the nightclub apparently interfered at this point. However, after he got out of Lo’s grasp. Velozo is accused of drawing his revolver and shooting the BJJ competitor in the head.
Lo was taken to hospital after being shot and pronounced dead. Velozo is said to have fled the scene before being caught by officials in Sao Paolo. He has now been suspended from active duty during the investigation.
