The pasSioen starts young: Meet Rafael, a Jiu-Jitsu champion
Rising through the ranks
At just 13 years old, Rafael has already claimed four Belgian and four French championships in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. For his father Gregory, who works as a weaver in Sioen, an especially memorable moment came during the European championships: “He fought against a Brazilian five-time world champion in the finals. He held his ground and only lost by two points due to a small mistake. That made him vice-champion of Europe for the first time.” Last year, Rafael also participated in the World Championships in Miami, securing a third-place finish.
Competing (and winning) at such a high level despite only having limited experience is impressive: “All the kids at his level started training at the age of three or four. So they already have about ten years of competitions and training under their belt. He only has two and a half years of practice. He’s catching up fast and has the potential to go very far.”
This exceptional progress, however, comes at a cost. Supporting a child athlete requires a significant financial and time commitment from his parents: “Every weekend is either a competition or a preparation camp. We have spent a lot on travel, tournament fees, and accommodations.” Despite both parents working full-time, they devote countless hours ensuring Rafael gets the best training possible.
“I owe a part to the company to support him financially, of course”, says Rafael's father, acknowledging Sioen’s role in helping him balance work and family responsibilities. “Since I started working at Sioen four years ago, I’ve often worked long hours to give myself the chance to accompany my son to these events all around the world.” Along the way, Rafael has also received sponsorships that help him pursue his passion. We’re proud to see how our work culture and policy are enabling our colleague to support his son and his busy sportive schedule.
Exceptional talent
Gregory recounts how his son’s journey into martial arts began: “We wanted him to find a sport where he could develop his motor skills and have fun. He started karate in Mouscron and practiced for four years before the pandemic.” However, due to scheduling conflicts, the family sought an alternative a couple of years ago, and through a family friend, Rafael was introduced to MMA, which included Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
It was evident from the beginning that Rafael had an exceptional talent: “After just a month or two, he competed in a regional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournament and finished second.” This caught the attention of a well-respected coach in the sport, who immediately recognized his potential. “He told me, ‘I want you to bring your son to my training. It’s surprising that a kid with so little experience can achieve such results.’”
Despite his rapid rise in the sport, Rafael remains humble. “He's someone who won't brag. When he's won, he'll say: ‘I won, well, because this time I was better.’ He takes every match seriously and knows full well that he could lose.” Looking to the future, Rafael’s parents are hopeful but realistic: “A professional Jiu-Jitsu career is possible, but we encourage him to focus on academics. He’s highly competitive in school as well, always striving to be the best.”
Rafael’s father emphasizes the importance of genuine passion from within: “Never push a child for your own dreams. It has to come from them. Rafael is always the one who tells me to hurry for training. He is fully committed, and that’s why he succeeds.”
Follow Rafael’s Jiu-Jitsu journey through his Instagram profile, TikTok profile or YouTube channel to help him continue his impressive journey!