Tragic, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu World Champion Leandro Lo Killed By Shot In The Head

Leandro Lo (Instagram @leandrolojj)

JAKARTA - Brazilian fighter Leandro Lo, one of the world's top jiu-jitsu athletes and eight-time world champion in martial arts, died on Sunday. Leandro was shot in the head by a man who argued with him at a party in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

The murder took place on Sunday morning at Club Sirio in the southern zone of Sao Paulo where the athlete and his friends were enjoying a performance by a popular band at a party.

"Sporting idol Leandro Lo left us," the Brazilian Confederation of Jiu-Jitsu Sports (CBJJE) said in a statement.

"We pay tribute to the people who have helped and inspired so many people to wear kimonos around the world."

According to eyewitnesses, Lenadro got into an argument for reasons that are still unclear with a drunk man. He had time to immobilize the man with an armlock.

Once released, the assailant pulled out a gun and shot the world champion in the head. He was taken to the hospital and diagnosed with brain death.

The assailant, who fled after committing the crime, was declared a fugitive, although the Sao Paulo Military Police said they had identified the perpetrator.

Leandro Pereira do Nascimento Lo (33) is an eight-time jiu-jitsu world champion in five different categories and won five World Cup titles in the sport, as well as eight Pan-American titles.

The fighter who won his first world title in 2012 in the lightweight category is still active and in May this year he won a new world title, but in the middle heavyweight category.

"The first title is the feeling of being world champion and the last one is the feeling of still being world champion, two of the best feelings of my life," the fighter said in a post on his social media at the time.

The Brazilian fighter is scheduled to compete in the coming days in the championships in the United States.