Patricia ‘Pati’ Fontes is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu athlete from Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro who started training aged 15 years old. Since then she achieved her black belt in May of 2015, at age 24 under the legendary Lucas Leite. Although Fontes started training in Brazil, these days she trains at Checkmat HQ and is the owner of Checkmat OC Airport in California.
We asked Pati about here favorite BJJ positions, she said “I like lasso and spider guard positions, when sweeping I use the lasso spinning sweep and the scissor sweep are my favorites. I usually like passing with drill combinations, lots of chin on chin and also double unders.” In terms of attacks, she lists the armbar and toehold as her main submissions.
An avid competitor at the 118lbs level, Pati cemented her reputation as one of the best women in the world when she won No gi Worlds three years in a row (2015/16/17) at black belt level, a feat accomplished by very few. However, throughout her career as a colored belt she was winning similar prestigious competitions so her success is no surprise with that in mind.
Pati would like to thank her sponsors Moyabrand and Redbowiecbd.
She has also recently opened her own school in OC, California which is very near John Wayne airport.
Website: www.checkmatoca.com
Q&A
Firstly we know Lucas leite as a half guard master and great competitor.
Could you let us know what he is like as a coach? What makes him so good?
“He is one of the best coaches I’ve ever had. I think what makes him so good at it is that he really sees himself in his students. He always trained a lot and I feel since he hasn’t competed as much he must feel this pleasure through his students. Also, he always values the student by his power of will so I feel like he attracts people that are focused on stepping up on their games and Lucas never disappoint his students in a matter of support in the sport. For this reason, I feel very honored to be his 1st black belt student to ever win a world title in the adult division and female division as well.”
Secondly I read that you were a ballerina up until around age 18. Were you at professional level of ballet or planning to get there? Also people may not know, but ballet is very tought. Do you think it is as equally as tough as BJJ?
“I was at a professional level where I was teaching classes for years to kids but never big into dancing competitions even though I used to do performances in the theatre about twice a year for my whole life. It’s a tough sport so I didn’t feel like getting big into competition, but it also taught me so much discipline and perfectionism and body control, mind control too since it hurts and you still need to perform graciously.”
Do you think women’s BJJ competition is more friendly than men’s? And is this the female nature? I have seen many women’s matches including some of yours where often the loser will hug the winner immediately after the match. Do you think there is a difference between men and womens competition?
“I don’t think that women’s competition is more friendly. Actually, I think females are very competitive not just in tournaments but at the gym. The fact we smile and hug just means that we are professional and also we are some kind of co-workers. It’s also common to see friends and athletes party or hanging out together in the male division. you end up evolving some kind of sympathy for people that do the same things to you , and travel to the same places on the same dates as you.”
Lastly, do you think women’s competitions are becoming tougher and tougher as the years go by? Maybe 15 years ago the brackets weren’t always full? But now it seems there are a lot more women taking BJJ more seriously as a career.
“I don’t know if I would use the word tougher, but they’re definitely more packed and Jiu Jitsu as a whole is evolving so it might be a little harder to place in some tournaments because of number too but I would never say it wasn’t tough before. Especially because back there these women worked so hard with so little recognition and they still never ceased in order to now the new generation receive a proper treatment. I would say it was probably really tough for them to overcome a male predominant sport and get us where we are right now. So I don’t feel comfortable agreeing with it. I’m thankful for their efforts and even though they think it wasn’t worth it, look at the female division now… it is here because of the pioneers and they will always be the pioneers!”
