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DUBAI: Popular Brazilian Jiu Jitsu champion Leandro Lo has been declared dead after he was shot in the head in a Sao Paulo club.

Lo, one of the most successful Jiu Jitsu athletes, was approached by a man in a threatening manner. After Lo attempted to defend himself against the man, he was shot, according to witnesses.

The suspect fled the scene, but handed himself in to the police since the incident.

One of Lo’s friends said the man approached their table, grabbed a bottle and started waving it around menacingly.

The athlete pinned the man down, but right after he let him go, the man shot Lo in the head, according to Brazilian news website G1.

Lo’s family lawyer Ivan Siqueira Junior said Lo and his friends had tried to prevent the incident from escalating.

Siqueira added that the suspect kicked Lo twice while the latter was already lying on the ground with a gunshot wound to his head.

Lo was declared braindead once he was rushed to a hospital. His family announced that his condition was irreversible.

The 33-year-old won the World Championships eight times in five different weight classes, an all time record.

The International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation tweeted saying: “The IBJJF and Jiu Jitsu community are extremely saddened to hear of the passing of Leandro Lo. Lo was one of the greatest athletes our sport has ever produced. An example of a true black belt, martial artist and champion on and off the mats. Rest in peace legend.”

The IBJJF and Jiu Jitsu community are extremely saddened to hear of the passing of Leandro Lo. Lo was one of the greatest athletes our sport has ever produced. An example of a true black belt, martial artist and champion on and off the mats. Rest in peace legend. 🙏🏼🕊 pic.twitter.com/lHK3n8pF4K

— IBJJF (@ibjjf) August 7, 2022