A world-renowned jiu-jitsu master attending a friend’s wedding in Italy’s Lake Como fell off a sea wall and plunged to his death over the weekend.
Octavio Couto Da Silva of Dallas, Texas was walking back to his hotel around 6:30 a.m. Saturday when he went over the cliff, according to Italian outlet Italy 24 News.
Authorities believe the 52-year-old man stopped and was sitting on a low wall when he lost his balance and fell about 16 feet into the water below.
US Jiu-Jitsu pro Octavio “Ratinho” Couto has died after authorities say he fell into Italy’s Lake Como after walking back to his hotel. Facebook
Whether Da Silva died from trauma from the fall or drowning has yet to be determined.
Investigators believe he drank throughout the evening, but “seemed fine” when he left the wedding at the Villa del Balbianello.
The battle champion had taken a taxi boat to Tremezzo, but got separated from the rest of his group because they were staying at a different hotel.
Authorities believe the Jiu-Jitsu master stopped and sat on a low wall and lost his balance before falling 16 feet into the water after leaving the Villa del Balbianello.De Agostini via Getty Images
Da Silva — also known by the nickname Ratinho, or, “little rat” in Portuguese — leaves behind a daughter, a wife and hundreds of Jiu-Jitsu students.
According to his cousin Rick Knight, Da Silva planned to move his family to Brazil, where he spent the first three decades of his life before immigrating to the US in 2007.
“It is with great sadness that his family and friends around the world are struggling to cope with such a great loss,” Knight wrote in an online fundraiser.
Octavio “Ratinho” Couto is survived by his wife and daughter.Gofundme
Da Silva is a “world-renowned 6th Degree Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black belt” who retired from competing professionally to train his students, according to BJJ Fanatics.
During his time as a fighter, he took home gold medals at the 1993 Brazilian CBJJ National Championship and the 1994 Copa Atlantico Sul Championship.
Da Silva is one of the founding members of the Alliance Barra Academy, a training school that has “significant notoriety” throughout the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world, writes BJJ Fanatics.
Octavio “Ratinho” Couto is a “world-renowned 6th Degree Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black belt,” according to BJJ Fanatics. Facebook
He has also worked as a consultant for other training academies across the US for the past two decades.
Dozens of tributes from his grateful students poured in after news of his death spread.
“My gym came together to remember you and share stories about him and his life,” wrote James Born.
“I strive to leave the same legacy of someone who was selfless and freely gave his talents and gifts to all who would listen. The world is missing an absolute treasure.”
Former student Hunter Crenshaw shared an image of himself with Da Silva, writing: “The professor is not just a guy in a gi.
Octavio “Ratinho” Couto plans to move his family to Brazil — where he spent the first three decades of his life, according to family members. Facebook
He was a true leader, never showing signs of tyranny but always signs of a friendly society. He helped many good men/women around me become great men/women.”
“It is still difficult to process. No one had a more purposeful life or simply LIVED more than Master Octavio,” wrote Eric Johnson.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
