Alex Flavio Oliveira Silva, 36, a former third sergeant in the Brazilian Navy, is competing in the men's para jiu-jitsu category at the 18th Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship.

In 2020, a serious traffic accident crushed his right foot and doctors amputated his leg to save his life. After leaving hospital, Silva accompanied his daughter Amanda to her jiu-jitsu academy and watched her train from outside the mat. He noticed that many of the movements the athletes performed were movements he could also execute despite his amputation.

In 2023, he joined GFTEAM academy and began competing. "I realised I could do everything when I took off my prosthetic leg," he said.

Silva said he hopes his participation sends a message to others who have suffered serious injuries. "Many people think that an accident leading to amputation is the end of the road, but it is really just the beginning," he said. "Jiu-jitsu changed my life and showed me that I can still do many things."