This week on The FightWorks Podcast our feature interview is with Luciana “Luka” Dias, who won the gold medal in the 2008 Brazilian jiu-jitsu Pan-Ams held at the end of last month in Carson, California. Luka is forty-five years old and has a competitive drive that shows no sign of slowing down any time soon! Luka is a terrific role model for girls and women in BJJ and I doubt you have ever heard anyone who enjoys BJJ competition more than Luka.

We will also speak with USA Wrestling’s Manager of Developing Wrestling Styles, Jason Townsend, regarding the Grappling World Team Trials on the way here in the United States. Last year’s winners for the gold medal at last year’s Grappling World Championships in Turkey were a who’s who from the BJJ community, and included Felicia Oh, Tara LaRosa, Valerie Worthington, Darren Uyenoyama, Ricky Lundell and Jeff Monson. For details about the twelve competitions that will begin May 10 to determine Team USA, head to themat.com.