Meet Victor Diniz de Araújo

Victor Diniz de Araújo, born in 1981 in Goiânia, Brazil, has always been passionate about sports. Growing up, he played soccer, basketball, and swam, but it wasn’t until he was 16 that he discovered his true calling in Jiu-Jitsu. After seeing some classmates training, his curiosity led him to visit a gym—and from that moment, he was hooked. With dedication and discipline, he earned his blue belt in 1999, just a year and a half after starting his journey in the gentle art.

From the start, Victor exhibited both talent and a competitive drive. Training sessions back then were intense and focused on competition, and his instructor quickly noticed his potential, inviting him to additional training sessions. Despite challenges such as limited access to resources, expensive gis, and the negative stigma surrounding Jiu-Jitsu at the time, Victor’s passion kept him going. Only those truly committed to the sport persevered, and Victor was one of them.

When his instructor moved to another state, Victor sought out new training opportunities. He began training with Cintra from Fernando Boi’s team, one of the top Jiu-Jitsu names in Goiânia. Alongside his brother, Victor spent countless hours on the mats, sometimes training solo. During this period, he also started teaching friends, marking the beginning of his journey as an instructor.

Upon reaching the purple belt, Victor shifted his focus solely to training under Fernando Boi, further honing his skills. In 2012, he earned his black belt, opening a new chapter in his Jiu-Jitsu career. Just months later, an unexpected opportunity presented itself—teaching Jiu-Jitsu in Belgium. What was meant to be a three-month experience turned into a life-changing journey.

It was in Belgium that Victor’s life took an exciting turn off the mats as well. In 2013, during a large seminar, he met his wife, Veronique. From that moment, Jiu-Jitsu became not only his professional path but also the foundation of his family. Today, Victor and Veronique have two children, who are growing up surrounded by the Jiu-Jitsu culture.

Victor is now based in Tilburg, Netherlands, where he teaches both adults and children at multiple academies. With a motivational and approachable teaching style, he has built a diverse and dedicated team, consisting of both competitors and hobbyists. His teaching creates an inclusive atmosphere where families—parents and children alike—can train together, strengthening their bonds both on and off the mats.

Plans for the Future

Victor remains deeply committed to expanding the reach and positive impact of Jiu-Jitsu. In addition to his regular classes, he offers private lessons and supports students in their competition preparations, helping them evolve in the sport.

As both a teacher and referee, Victor organizes seminars and invites renowned athletes to share their knowledge, further enriching the Jiu-Jitsu community in his region.

We invite you to explore Victor’s journey, his vision of Jiu-Jitsu, and the passion he brings to every training session!