Angola's Cardoso Family Showcases Eleven Young Competitors At Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Championship

The Cardoso family from Angola has captured attention at the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2025. They arrived with eleven children ready to compete in the kids and youth categories. This gathering has transformed the event into a unique family affair, with multiple generations participating at Mubadala Arena.

Jiu-jitsu is deeply ingrained in the Cardoso family's lifestyle, originating from Z1 Academy in Angola. The children are descendants of four black-belt brothers and another who holds a purple belt. Their grandmother, Filomena Silva, accompanied them to Abu Dhabi, becoming a familiar figure in the stands as she proudly watched each match.

Their late grandfather, Flavio Alves Cardoso, was a general in the Angolan army. His legacy of discipline continues to influence the family both on and off the mats. This strong foundation is evident in their dedication to jiu-jitsu as a way of life.

Among the competitors is 13-year-old Kayron Cardoso, who participated in the Boys Gi Junior Grey 34 kg division. He secured two victories before losing his third match. Despite not winning a medal, his family celebrated three silver medals and one bronze earned by Kaynan, Marco, Kyllian, and Nathalie.

Kayron expressed his determination: "I wanted gold today. I won my first two fights, but I lost the third one. I didn’t get a medal, but I fought hard and I am proud of my performance. Being here is an important moment in my journey." Competing alongside his family was significant for him.

He added that training together throughout the year made their presence on the mats special: "We trained together all year, and now we are all on the mats in Abu Dhabi. When I see them cheering for me, it gives me a different kind of strength."

Lessons Learned and Future Aspirations

Despite not achieving his goal this time, Kayron remains optimistic: "My dad always says that if you don’t win, you learn. I learnt a lot today, and I will come back stronger." This mindset reflects their grandfather's teachings about discipline being fundamental.

The Cardoso family's participation highlighted that jiu-jitsu in Abu Dhabi transcends sport; it embodies stories of passion and tradition. Their inspiring spirit delivered one of the championship's standout moments by turning discipline into a lifestyle.

With inputs from WAM