Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg recently showcased his jiu-jitsu skills and achieved success in his debut tournament, earning gold and silver medals.
The Brazilian jiu-jitsu competition took place at Woodside High School in Woodside, California, near Silicon Valley. Zuckerberg shared a series of six photos on Facebook and Instagram, depicting his matches with different opponents. Referees declared him victorious in both bouts.
In his social media posts, Zuckerberg expressed his gratitude to the Guerrilla Jiu Jitsu team for their training and support. The images garnered significant attention, accumulating over 400,000 likes on Instagram and 300,000 likes on Facebook.
The CEO also shared a photo alongside members of the Guerrilla Jiu Jitsu team, taken at a Bay Area gym where he trains. Another photo captures a contemplative Zuckerberg approaching the gym mat.
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Zuckerberg’s interest in mixed martial arts developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, and he has found solace and increased energy through the sport. In an interview with podcast host Joe Rogan, who himself is an avid practitioner and fan of jiu-jitsu, Zuckerberg described how the sport’s “primal” nature revitalizes him, enabling him to tackle work challenges with renewed vigor. He trains with Dave Camarillo from Guerrilla Jiu Jitsu, a renowned instructor who has taught UFC champions. Zuckerberg’s passion for jiu-jitsu has even inspired some of his friends to take up gym training.
“From the very first session that I did, like five minutes in, I was like, ‘Where has this been my whole life?'” Zuckerberg said. “Alright, my mom made me do three varsity sports and my life took a wrong turn when I chose to do fencing competitively instead of wrestling in high school or something.”
His trainer Camarillo praised Zuckerberg’s efforts in a statement quoted by People.
“It’s inspiring to see someone so known challenge themselves in a new arena. This goes to show how amazing the art of Jiu-Jitsu really is. It changes you, it enhances the power of will – it is magic. It also attracts some very driven people,” he wrote on social media.
Zuckerberg’s commitment to physical fitness aligns with other tech industry leaders. Twitter owner Elon Musk, aged 51, also practices jiu-jitsu, as he revealed during his appearance on Rogan’s show in 2021. PayPal CEO Dan Schulman, aged 65, is known for his affinity for krav maga, an Israeli self-defense practice that has taught him valuable skills in strategic decision-making and progress toward his objectives. Palantir CEO Alex Karp, aged 55, has engaged in both jiu-jitsu and aikido, a Japanese martial art focused on self-defense, according to reports.
