Wrestling: Mater Dei hires a Jiu Jitsu champion

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Juliano Prado, an international Jiu Jitsu champion, has been named wrestling coach at Mater Dei. Prado was an assistant last season.

As a competitor, Prado’s resume includes Brazilian National champion in 1987, U.S. Open champion in 1997 and Gladiator Lightweight champion in 2002.

He most recently served as the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu coach at No Limits Mixed Martial Arts and Fitness in Irvine. He was a coach for the U.S. team that won all nine gold medals in grappling at the 2007 World Championship.

-- Martin Henderson

Athletic Director Phil Bellomo said he is ‘extremely excited’ to have Prado on board and taking the program ‘to new heights.’

Prado said his goal is to raise the program’s level of success to seen by other sports at Mater Dei, presumably meaning football and basketball. ‘I want to build a program that focuses on teaching young athletes to compete, develop a winning attitude in all areas of their lives, and achieve individual and team success,’ he said.

-- Martin Henderson