Earth and Passion: Jonathan Azevedo’s character practices Krav Maga. Know more!

In the soap opera “Terra e Paixão”, which premieres next Monday, May 8, Jonathan Azevedo’s character, Odilon, has a Krav Magá gym, in the fictional city of Nova Primavera, and he claims that the technique taught him to remain calm in delicate situations

Odilon is a martial arts fighter, he is jealous and makes up a romantic partner with Tatá Werneck.

In conversation with the newspaper O Globo, Jonathan Azevedo spoke about the challenge of the character: “When I was invited to the soap opera, I was excited to know that it would deal with this theme. I had already done jiu-jitsu, judo and taekwondo, but Krav Maga is very different. I learned to look the opponent in the eye and remain calm in delicate situations.”

THE TECHNIQUE

But what exactly is Krav Maga and what makes it different from other martial arts? Krav Maga is not considered a type of martial art, as it has no rules, competitions or awards, but rather a self-defense technique. It was created in Israel in the 1940s and means “contact combat” in Hebrew.

“We believe that the greatest trophy is the life that is saved on the street or anywhere else”, explains Israeli Avigdor Zalmon, who introduced the art to the state of São Paulo and President of the International Krav Maga Federation.

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The idea of ​​Krav Maga is simple: transfer the weight towards the attacker and strike him as fast as possible. The blows are short and fast and aim to reach sensitive points on the human body, such as the eyes, trachea, genitals and others. For this reason, Krav Maga does not require physical strength and anyone, regardless of size, gender or age, is capable of putting it into practice and returning home unharmed and safe.

Part of the training consists of simulating real situations of danger that can happen in everyday life, but students are advised to only use the technique if really necessary.

“Krav Magá is the best art not only for training physical resistance, but also the mental part, since to act quickly, the student needs to be cool, focused and emotionally prepared to face the aggressor”, adds Avigdor.

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THE COORDINATOR

Avigdor Zalmon coordinates the team of instructors at the gyms in the State of São Paulo. He says that, above all, they are educators who teach, in addition to a technique of self-defense, human principles and values, citizenship and social integration.