Politics · Brazil · 6 hrs ago
Maranhão fighter says he backs Lula to give minorities a voice
Daniel Silva, a jiu-jitsu teacher and fighter from São Luís, Maranhão, says he supports Lula to give minorities a voice.
At 27, he teaches jiu-jitsu, boxing and muay thai, and competes in those sports.
He voted for Bolsonaro in 2018, then for Lula in 2022, saying grief and anger after his uncle was murdered influenced his earlier choice.
Silva says his mother, an activist, helped campaign for Maranhão’s first Women’s Police Station in the 1980s.
That station later became the Casa da Mulher Brasileira, which offers services to victims of domestic violence.
He says jiu-jitsu is often associated with Bolsonaro supporters and machismo, and has spoken out about the treatment of women in the sport.
His family’s activism and his own experience shape his support for left-wing candidates.
The story gives no further steps or plans.
Daniel Silva, a 27-year-old jiu-jitsu fighter and instructor from São Luís, Maranhão, says he supports Lula and left-wing candidates.
He says his upbringing taught him to pay attention to minorities and the realities around him.
Silva said he voted for Jair Bolsonaro in 2018 while grieving family deaths, but voted for Lula in 2022.
He links his political views to his mother’s activism, including her campaign to establish Maranhão’s first Women’s Police Station.
Silva criticizes sexism in jiu-jitsu and says he has spoken publicly about the treatment of women in the sport.
- Who
- Daniel Silva, a 27-year-old jiu-jitsu fighter and instructor from Maranhão.
- What
- He says he backs Lula and left-wing candidates to give minorities a voice.
- When
- He voted for Bolsonaro in 2018 and Lula in 2022. The article was published on October 13, 2026.
- Where
- São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil.
- Why
- He says his upbringing, his mother’s activism and his attention to minorities shaped his views.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Silva says his mother and aunt campaigned to open Maranhão’s first Women’s Police Station.
Silva’s mother, Georgina Maria Costa da Silva, died of a heart attack when he was 15.
Silva’s grandmother died, and his uncle was later killed in a robbery.
Silva voted for Bolsonaro, saying he was grieving and angry.
Silva voted for Lula.
- Age
- 27
- Hometown
- São Luís, Maranhão
- Jiu-jitsu
- Black belt
- 2018 vote
- Jair Bolsonaro
- 2022 vote
- Lula
- Mother’s death
- 2014
What people are saying
Bolsonarism and machismo are synonyms.
I fight a lot against this kind of thinking and practice.
I have no shame in saying it. In 2018 I voted for Bolsonaro.
Out of pride, many people do not turn back. I prefer to say: I evolved.
Sources
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