Who we are
“What if we gave people more than a trip?” — Francis, Founder/CEO
So he created a company that delivers real training, real culture, and real connection — through the eyes of a true Carioca.
What if your next trip didn’t just check off boxes—but changed the way you saw the world, your sport, and yourself?
That’s the vision Francis Abramson had when he founded Rio Sports Tour in 2003.
A black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and in Judo, and a lifelong student of movement and mastery, Francis was raised in Rio de Janeiro by way of Ohio as a baby. That’s the unique edge he brings to every experience: the mindset of a high-performance individual, the soul of a Carioca, and the curiosity of a global traveler.
Francis didn’t build Rio Sports Tour like a typical travel agency.
He saw an opportunity most people missed:
Why not train Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the city where it was born…
…and then hike to a hidden waterfall with your training partners?
…or eat feijoada on a cliffside with your coach after sparring in the morning?
…or surf on the beach at sunrise, and dance samba at night?
That blend—of fun and training—became the DNA of Rio Sports Tour.
The Origin Story
Back in 2003, Francis ran his first official camp at Universidade Gama Filho with Olympic medalist Patricia Miranda. The concept? A training experience that doubled as a cultural immersion—equal parts sweat, joy, and Brazilian soul.
Fast-forward to today, and Francis has hosted athletes, clubs, and curious minds from around the world. Through co-partnerships with groups like the wrestling clubs from USA and Canada, Team Alliance, Behring Association, Renato Tavares Team, and so many others, he’s also helped elevate underrepresented sports in Brazil through cultural exchange and elite-level access.
What We Believe
Sports are the purest passport.
They connect people faster than words can.Authenticity wins every time.
No staged tourist traps. Just real Carioca living, with locals who treat you like family.Luxury doesn’t have to be loud.
A quiet breakfast after a morning surf. A clean, sunlit apartment near the beach. A perfectly planned week with no stress.
