Pedro on a roll!

BAHRAIN’S history-making jiu-jitsu star Pedro Bisi de Jesus is hoping to add yet another major milestone to his already glittering career in combat sports – and he is looking forward to doing it very soon at home, writes Patrick Salomon.

At just 16 years old, the Bahraini of Brazilian descent has already achieved success like no other in the kingdom before him.

He is now set to be one of Bahrain’s top medal hopefuls when more than 5,000 of the continent’s best athletes, representing 45 countries, descend on the island for the third Asian Youth Games from October 22 to 31.

The mega sporting event is to be held under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad and will feature 24 exciting sports, with jiu-jitsu being one of a handful in the combat sports arena.

Pedro is excited to be part of the team that will fly the kingdom’s flag in the competition, especially with the opportunity to perform in front of his family, friends, and Bahrain’s tight-knit jiu-jitsu community.

“I feel grateful for having this chance to show what I can do on a big stage such as the Asian Youth Games,” Pedro told GulfWeekly.

“It is even more exciting to be able to compete at home, to be able to show my peers and all who have helped me throughout my development how much I have grown in the sport.”

Pedro is no stranger to hitting the mat at the highest levels of jiu-jitsu.

Earlier this year, he became the first-ever fighter from Bahrain to win a gold medal at the European IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2025 in Lisbon, and he has since captured gold medals in all competitions he has entered – be it local, regional, or international.

In early August, Pedro triumphed at the inaugural Abu Dhabi World Grappling Championship 2025 in Al Ain, and then just last weekend, was a gold-medallist in the AJP Tour Asia Continental Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2025 for Youth, which took place in Abu Dhabi.

Pedro just keeps on winning and winning...and winning some more.

But despite all his success – and the plaudits that have come with it – he remains humble and focused, and isn’t about to take the Asian Youth Games lightly.

“One thing I have always given great importance in this sport is to never underestimate my opponents and to always respect them,” Pedro explained. “But I also try to impose my game by showing dominance from the very beginning of a fight.

“The Asian Youth Games will certainly be the highest level of competition, as it will bring athletes from so many different countries together.

“For sure, I consider this event in the top five of the biggest tournaments I have ever joined. I’ve competed in huge stages too elsewhere, but this is special as it will be at home here in Bahrain.”

Pedro trains at Reza’s Martial Arts Centre (RMAC), owned by Bahrain Combat Sports Council member and Bahrain Jiu-Jitsu Federation president Redha Monfaredi. It is he who personally gave Pedro the news that he had been selected to fight for Bahrain at the Asian Youth Games.

“About two months ago, I was having a normal session in RMAC, when Mr Monfaredi invited me to compete and represent Bahrain in the Asian Youth Games,” Pedro recalled.  “Ever since then, I have continued to train hard with that competition being one of my main goals.

“I have made a programme with my jiu-jitsu coach and strength trainer, so I can have a peak performance on competition day.

“I am also working with my nutritionist to prepare a schedule for my weight cut and recovery.

“I am very excited and I look forward to representing Bahrain to the best of my ability.”

Pedro expresses his sincerest thanks and appreciation to all those who support him in his young jiu-jitsu career, particularly to His Majesty King Hamad’s representative for humanitarian work and youth affairs and Supreme Council for Youth and Sports (SCYS) chairman Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa; SCYS first deputy chairman, General Sports Authority chairman, and Bahrain Olympic Committee president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa; RMAC; and Al Jazeera Shipping.

Aside from jiu-jitsu, the other sports at the fast-approaching third Asian Youth Games are athletics (track and field and cross country), 3x3 basketball, badminton, volleyball (indoor and beach), handball, road cycling, equestrian (endurance and showjumping), golf, futsal, Muay, judo, kabaddi, mixed martial arts, table tennis, E-sports, taekwondo, wrestling (indoor and beach) boxing, triathlon, weightlifting, teqball, swimming, and camel racing.