Cy-Fair High School Senior Ranks as No. 1 Jiu-jitsu Athlete in the United States
By Hailey Lloyd, Cy-Fair High School (A High School Journalism Network Collaboration)
Cy-Fair High School senior Eduard (Eddie) Pugachov won the gold medal at the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) Pan championships in Middle Weight Blue Belt division held March 19-23 in Kissimmee, Florida. He is currently ranked No. 1 in the nation.
Whether Pugachov is on the mat, in the classroom or leading by example as a coach to younger athletes, his drive is unmatched.
“He became number one the moment he won the tournament,” said Travis Tooke, coach and owner of Team Tooke Mixed Martial Arts. “It was a great feeling. Years of hard work led up to that moment. It wasn’t surprising to me. I know how good he is and how much effort he puts in both on and off the mat.”
Pugachov also balances wrestling along with Jiu-jitsu and his academics. While balancing both sports has been demanding, wrestling improved his physical conditioning and gave him an edge on the mat.
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“Wrestling has improved my conditioning and taught me how to push through tough training,” Pugachov said. “It wasn’t just about takedowns, the grind helped build my endurance for both sports.”
Pugachov will compete at the 2025 World Jiu-Jitsu Championship scheduled for May 29-June 1 at the Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, California.
Editor's Note: This article was written by Hailey Lloyd, a student at Cy-Fair High School in Cypress-Fairbanks ISD, through a partnership between My Neighborhood News and the District as part of an established high school journalism network collaboration. My Neighborhood News is a proud supporter of local youth and warmly welcomes the opportunity to provide a platform for students to share their work.
