Romulo Barral
{{short description|Brazilian practitioner of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu}}
{{Infobox martial artist
|name =Romulo Barral
|image = GABRIEL_VELLA_vs_ROMINHO_51.jpg
|caption={{who|date=September 2024}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|year=1982|month=5|day=3}}
|birth_place =Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| residence = Northridge, California, United States
| team = Gracie Barra
| rank = {{color box|black}} Fifth degree Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu under Vinicius Magalhães{{cite web |last1=de Souza |first1=Diogo |title=Romulo Barral Promoted To 5th Degree BJJ Black Belt |url=https://jitsmagazine.com/romulo-barral-promoted-to-5th-degree-bjj-black-belt/ |website=Jits Magazine |access-date=13 October 2024}}
| sherdog = 11674
}}
{{MedalTableTop}}
{{MedalCountry | {{BRA}} }}
{{MedalSport | Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu}}
{{MedalCompetition | World Jiu-Jitsu Championship}}
{{MedalGold | 2007 California, USA | -88 kg}}
{{MedalSilver | 2007 California, USA | Absolute}}
{{MedalGold | 2009 California, USA | -88kg}}
{{MedalSilver | 2009 California, USA | Absolute}}
{{MedalSilver | 2010 California, USA | -88kg}}
{{MedalSilver | 2010 California, USA | Absolute}}
{{MedalSilver | 2011 California, USA | -88kg}}
{{MedalGold | 2012 California, USA | -88 kg}}
{{MedalGold | 2013 California, USA | -88 kg}}
{{MedalGold | 2014 California, USA | -88 kg}}
{{MedalSilver | 2016 California, USA |-88 kg}}
{{MedalCompetition | Nogi World Jiu-Jitsu Championship}}
{{MedalGold | 2009 California, USA | -85 kg}}
{{MedalSilver | 2012 California, USA | -88 kg}}
{{MedalCompetition | European Championship}}
{{MedalGold | 2013 Lisbon, Portugal | -88 kg}}
{{MedalCompetition | Brazilian National Championship}}
{{MedalGold | 2006 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | -88 kg}}
{{MedalGold | 2007 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | -88 kg}}
{{MedalSilver | 2007 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | Absolute}}
{{MedalCompetition | Asian Championship}}
{{MedalGold | 2006 Tokyo, Japan | -88 kg}}
{{MedalGold | 2006 Tokyo, Japan | Absolute}}
{{MedalBottom}}
Romulo Barral (born May 3, 1982) is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitor and coach. He is a black belt under Vinicius "Draculino" Magalhães and competes for Gracie Barra, where he has won numerous championships. Romulo Barral is widely regarded as one of the top Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighters in the medium-heavyweight division.{{cite web |url=http://www.bjjheroes.com/bjj-fighters/romulo-barral-wiki |title=Romulo Barral |website=BJJ Heroes |accessdate=October 25, 2023}} He has maintained his black belt status with consistent medals at the world’s premier BJJ tournaments. In August 2011, Barral established his own Gracie Barra academy in Northridge, California establishing himself as a prominent coach.{{cite web |url=http://www.graciemag.com/2011/08/romulo-barral-opens-gracie-barra-northridge/ |title=Romulo Barral opens Gracie Barra Northridge |website=GracieMag |accessdate=October 25, 2023}} He is a 5-time IBJJF World Champion in the black belt division (2006, 2007, 2009, 2012, 2014), a 3-time silver medalist in the open weight division, a World No-Gi Champion (2007), and the 2013 ADCC Submission Wrestling World Champion.{{cite web |url=https://www.ibjjf.com/results/world-championships |title=IBJJF World Championship Results |website=International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation |accessdate=October 25, 2023}}
Early life
Romulo Barral was born in Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil, and began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in his teens under Vinicius "Draculino" Magalhães in Belo Horizonte. His early exposure to BJJ came through the Gracie Barra network, where he developed a technical and aggressive style, particularly known for his proficiency in the spider guard and triangle submissions. Barral progressed rapidly through the belt ranks, earning his black belt in 2004 from Draculino, and quickly established himself as a formidable competitor in the meio pesado division.
Competitive career
Barral’s competitive career is marked by his dominance in the IBJJF World Championships, where he secured black belt titles in the medium-heavyweight division in 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012, and 2014. His 2007 campaign was particularly notable, as he also won the World No-Gi Championship in the same year, showcasing his versatility in both gi and no-gi formats. In the open weight (absolute) division, Barral earned silver medals at the IBJJF Worlds in 2007, 2009, and 2012, often facing larger opponents with his technical prowess. His crowning achievement came in 2013, when he won the ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship in the 88 kg division, defeating notable grapplers with his signature guard game.{{cite web |url=https://adcc-official.com/results/2013-world-championship/ |title=ADCC 2013 Results |website=ADCC |accessdate=October 25, 2023}}
Barral is also recognized for his consistency in other major tournaments, including multiple medals at the IBJJF Pan-American Championships and Brazilian Nationals (CBJJ). His competitive style, characterized by a strong spider guard and submission-oriented approach, has made him a standout figure in BJJ.
Coaching career
In August 2011, Barral opened Gracie Barra Northridge in California, where he has trained a new generation of BJJ practitioners. His academy has become a hub for competitive athletes, producing several IBJJF and regional champions. Barral’s coaching philosophy emphasizes technical precision and mental resilience, drawing from his own competitive experience. He has mentored notable fighters, including students who have medaled at the IBJJF World Championships and other major tournaments. His move to the United States also allowed him to expand Gracie Barra’s presence internationally, contributing to the organization’s global reputation.
Mixed martial arts record
{{MMArecordbox
|ko-wins=0
|ko-losses=0
|sub-wins=2
|sub-losses=0
|dec-wins=0
|dec-losses=0
}}
{{MMA record start}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
|align=center|2–0
| Adrian Valdez
| Technical Submission (rear-naked choke)
| Rage In The Cage 122
| {{dts|2009|February|28}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|1:20
|Phoenix, AZ, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
|align=center|1–0
| Fabiano Fabiano
| Technical Submission (rear-naked choke)
| Arena
| {{dts|2004|October|9}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|n/a
|
{{end}}
References
{{Reflist}}
- [http://www.bjjheroes.com/bjj-fighters/romulo-barral-wiki Bjj Heroes: Romulo Barral]
- [http://www.maranking.com/BJJ/Fighter-Romulo%20Claudio%20Barral-i1327.xhtml Romulo Barral career on MARanking]
- http://www.radioautofm.com.br/home/?pg=noticia&id=1658
{{DEFAULTSORT:Barral, Romulo}}
Category:Brazilian male mixed martial artists
Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Category:Brazilian practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Category:World No-Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Championship medalists