Ricardo de la Riva
Ricardo De La Riva developed the guard that bears his name at Carlson Gracie Academy, then carried it forward through teaching and seminars.
Biography
Sources for this profile
BJJ Heroes, “Ricardo De La Riva,” n.d.(opens in a new tab)
BJJ Heroes reports that Ricardo De La Riva began training at Carlson Gracie's Copacabana academy in January 1980 and developed a guard game while training among the academy's strong guard passers.
Where in the source: Ricardo De La Riva Biography — paragraphs beginning “Ricardo’s father was a big fan of Carlson Gracie” and “De La Riva was a small and flexible individual”
Accessed:
BJJ Heroes, “The De La Riva Guard,” n.d.(opens in a new tab)
BJJ Heroes' history of the De La Riva guard says an outside hook existed in earlier judo, while Ricardo De La Riva developed the hook in Brazilian jiu-jitsu in the early 1980s; it was first called Guarda Pudim by training partners.
Where in the source: The De La Riva Guard — “Brief History of the De La Riva Guard,” especially paragraphs beginning “Although” and “Ricardo trained at the Carlson Gracie Academy”
Accessed:
Graciemag, “Ricardo de la Riva recounts creation of his guard, historic roll with Murilo Bustamante,” 28 December 2016.(opens in a new tab)
In a Graciemag account, Ricardo De La Riva located the guard's emergence in his transition from brown to black belt and recalled training with Murilo Bustamante and other larger teammates at Carlson Gracie Academy as part of its development.
Where in the source: Graciemag — paragraphs beginning “I don’t know how to pin down exactly” and “Murilo Bustamante was the guy I rolled most with”
Accessed:
Budovideos, “Ricardo De La Riva on Memorable Matches, DLR Guard, Japan & More!,” 18 February 2014.(opens in a new tab)
In a 2014 interview, Ricardo De La Riva said he was already teaching when his fights with Royler Gracie brought more teaching offers, and that teaching and taking seminars internationally remained his main motivation.
Where in the source: Budovideos interview — answers to questions 2 and 6
Accessed: