# Helvecio Penna

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## Overview

**Name:** Helvecio Penna


## Bio

A late bloomer who crossed over from elite judo, Helvecio Penna earned his black belt at 42 under Ricardo de la Riva and became a dominant force in the Masters and Seniors divisions, winning the Internacional Masters e Seniors tournament several years in a row, including a comeback victory in 2010 after missing 2009 due to knee injury. He made headlines in 2006 by reaching the adult quarter-finals at the Mundials, where he held Alexandre Ribeiro scoreless for eight minutes before gassing and falling to a triangle. That same year, at age 49, he won the Rio de Janeiro State Trials in the adult division. A physical education teacher and judo instructor at a social project in Rio, he trained religiously every morning at 7 am.

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**Last Updated:** June 05, 2026

**Data Source:** bjj.space (https://bjj.space/people/helvecio-penna)