A world-renowned jiu-jitsu master attending a friend’s wedding in Italy’s Lake Como fell off a boardwalk 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 fell off the ledge, according to Italy 24 News.
Authorities believe the 52-year-old man stopped and sat on the low wall when he lost his balance and fell approximately 16 feet into the water.
American Jiu-Jitsu master Octavio “Ratinho” Couto died after authorities say he fell into Lake Como in Italy after walking back to his hotel. Facebook
It has not yet been determined whether da Silva died from the trauma suffered from the fall or from drowning.
Investigators believe he was drinking throughout the night, but “seemed fine” when he left the wedding at the Villa del Balbianello.
The fighting champion had taken a taxi boat to Tremezzo, but was separated from the rest of his party because they were staying at different hotels.
Authorities believe the jiu-jitsu master stopped, sat on the low wall and lost his balance before falling 16 feet into the water after exiting the Villa del Balbianello. De Agostini via Getty Images
Da Silva, also known by the nickname Ratinho, or “little mouse” 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 United States in 2007.
“It is with great sadness that his family and friends around the world struggle to understand such a profound loss,” Knight wrote in an online fundraiser.
Octavio “Ratinho” Couto leaves behind his wife and daughter.Gofundme
Da Silva was a “world-renowned Brazilian Jiu Jitsu sixth-degree black belt” who had retired from professional competition to train his students, according to BJJ Fanatics.
During his time as a wrestler, he took home gold medals in the 1993 Brazilian CBJJ National Championship and the 1994 South Atlantic Cup.
Da Silva was one of the founding members of the Alliance Barra Academy, a training school that has “significant visibility” throughout the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world, wrote BJJ Fanatics.
Octavio “Ratinho” Couto was a retired “world-renowned Brazilian Jiu Jitsu sixth-degree black belt,” according to BJJ Fanatics. Facebook
He also worked as a consultant for other training academies throughout the United States over the past two decades.
Dozens of tributes from his grateful students poured in after news of his death broke.
“My gym came together to remember you and share stories about him and his life,” James Born wrote.
“I strive to leave the same legacy of someone who was completely selfless and freely gave his talents and gifts to all who would listen. “The world lost an absolute treasure.”
Former student Hunter Crenshaw shared an image of himself with Da Silva and wrote, “The professor wasn’t just a man with a soldier.
Octavio “Ratinho” Couto planned to move his family to Brazil, where he spent the first three decades of his life, according to a family member. Facebook
He was a true leader, never showing signs of tyranny, but always signs of a warm and welcoming community. He helped many good men and women around me become great men and women.”
“It’s still difficult to process. No one lived a more purposeful life or simply LIVED more than Master Octavio,” wrote Eric Johnson.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn