Silvio Duran

Silvio Duran began his martial arts journey at the age of three, initially training in judo. He later expanded his skill set by practicing karate for several years before transitioning to muay Thai at age 14. After dedicating four years to Thai boxing, Duran was introduced to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at age 18 by his close friends Caio Ramos and Rafael Cavaca, as well as his uncle Ricardo Duran. Due to scheduling conflicts with university studies and part-time employment, he shifted his primary focus to BJJ, quickly developing a passion for the grappling art. His initial training took place under the guidance of Rodrigo Cavaca, with classes frequently led by then-purple belts Marcus Buchecha and Rafael Cavaca.

Duran swiftly emerged as one of Brazil's most promising competitors during his colored belt progression. His first major breakthrough occurred at blue belt, capturing the Brazilian National title and earning recognition as a rising talent. Maintaining momentum at purple belt, Silvio secured significant victories by winning both gi and no-gi divisions at the Brazilian Nationals. Additionally, he played a crucial role in Zenith team's victory at the CBJJ Team Nationals, competing alongside notable athletes such as Renato Canuto and Fellipe Andrew.

In 2015, Silvio Duran relocated to New York City at the invitation of renowned competitor and instructor Vitor Ribeiro, also known as Shaolin. Ribeiro sought a skilled training partner for his NYC academy, and Duran fit the profile perfectly. Under Ribeiro's mentorship, Silvio refined his competitive skills and experienced significant growth in his grappling abilities. On November 21, 2016, Duran received his black belt in a ceremony jointly led by Rodrigo Cavaca and Vitor Ribeiro in New York.

Aggressive Submission-Oriented Approach

Silvio Duran is widely recognized for his aggressive, submission-focused competition style, particularly excelling in lower-body attacks. His relentless pursuit of submissions has made him a formidable opponent on the mats.

Technical Breakdown of the 'Botinha' Footlock

Duran's signature move, the "botinha" footlock, has become a hallmark of his competitive arsenal. This technique involves precise positioning and leverage to isolate and attack the opponent's foot, often catching opponents off-guard. Duran effectively utilized the "botinha" in professional grappling events, notably securing victories at KASAI Pro 3 and KASAI Pro 4 (2018–2019). His consistent success with footlocks has solidified his reputation as a specialist in lower-body submissions.

Throughout his black belt career, Silvio Duran has achieved considerable success on the professional grappling circuit. He captured titles at prestigious events such as KASAI Pro 3 and KASAI Pro 4, showcasing elite-level grappling skills and tactical precision. Additionally, Duran consistently reached podium positions at major IBJJF tournaments, including gold medals at the IBJJF Pan No-Gi Championship in 2020 and 2022, and a significant gi title at the IBJJF Pan American Championship in 2021. Demonstrating longevity at the highest levels of competition, Silvio earned a silver medal at the IBJJF World Master Championship in 2022.

In 2023, after years of representing Vitor Ribeiro's NYC team, Silvio Duran founded his own academy, SD Jiu-Jitsu, located in Midtown Manhattan. Transitioning from competitor and representative to academy owner and head instructor, Duran dedicates himself to teaching and mentoring a new generation of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners and competitors. His academy emphasizes technical excellence, competition readiness, and the continuous development of his students' grappling skills.