Grand Master Fernando Loio, PhD
Science, experience and reflection for sport development
Fernando Loio is an undeniable reference in Martial Arts and Combat Sports in Portugal and worldwide. With over 50 years of active involvement, he is one of the pioneers of Full Contact, Kickboxing, Taekwondo, Muay Thai and a precursor of Pankration in Portugal and Europe. He was among the first black belts awarded by Grand Master Chung Sun-Yong and a student of Master Ricardo Ferraz at the Boxing section of Sporting Clube de Portugal.
Among the most relevant recognitions of his career, in 2004 he was honoured in Barnaul, Russia, during a Portugal vs Russia event, with the title of Coach of the Highest Level in Pankration by the Russian Federation and the Professional League of Pankration. He was subsequently inducted into the Hall of Fame of the World Pankration Dan Ranking and the World League of Pankration with the title of World Grand Master and the rank of 10th Dan. In 2015, he was distinguished at the highest level for outstanding international recognition of relevant services and distinguished work in the promotion of Martial Arts and Combat Sports, at a tribute gala held in Tehran, Iran.
International Experience
Throughout his career, he has trained hundreds of champions and participated in major events held in Iran, Ukraine, Sweden, Bulgaria, England, France, Brazil, Denmark, Spain, Switzerland, Belgium, Italy, Scotland, Finland, Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands, United Arab Emirates and in Russia, namely in Barnaul, Novosibirsk, Khanty-Mansiysk, Moscow, Makhachkala, Tver, Rostov-on-Don, Saint Petersburg, Ivanovo, Omsk, Krasnodar and Anapa. He has organised and conducted hundreds of sporting events of significant international representation, most notably the charismatic WUFC World Championship, organised annually in Portugal since 1988, with the presence of world elite athletes from around 50 countries, with regular participation of the strong teams from Russia and Ukraine.
Technical Qualifications & Ranks
He holds high rankings, the rank of international coach and the title of Grandmaster in various martial arts and combat sports, namely Taekwondo, Boxing, Kickboxing, Muay Thai, Ultimate Full Contact, Pankration, Free Fight, MMA and Submission Grappling, all awarded by official organisations such as National Federations and World Organisations.
Academic Background
- 🎓 Doutoramento / PhD in Sport Sciences — Universidade da Beira Interior (UBI)
- 🎓 Mestrado / Master’s Degree in Sport Sciences, specialization in Sports Training — Instituto Politécnico da Guarda (IPG)
- 🎓 Licenciatura / Bachelor’s Degree in Sport — Instituto Politécnico da Guarda (IPG)
Current Activities
- Integrated member of the Research Centre for Quality of Life (CIEQV)
- World Coordinator of World Ultimate Full Contact (WUFC)
- Technical Director and Coach at Associação Full Contact de Viseu (AFCV)
Recent Academic & Professional Experience
- Lecturer at Escola Superior de Desporto de Rio Maior (ESDRM) — Polytechnic Institute of Santarém
- Lecturer at Escola Superior de Educação, Comunicação e Desporto (ESECD) — Polytechnic Institute of Guarda (IPG)
- President of the Portuguese Full Contact Federation (FPFC)
Legacy
His long career has resulted in the training of masters, instructors, coaches and referees, as well as numerous national, European and World champions.
Academic Profiles
Social Media
- Personal Instagram
- Facebook — Ultimate Full Contact
- Instagram — Academia Fernando Loio
- Instagram — WUFC
- YouTube — Ultimate Full Contact
