After winning the ADCC (Abu Dhabi Combat Club) in 2000, Renzo was invited by Sheikh Tahnoon to stay for a few days in the UAE, resting in one of the royal family's villas. The site was in front of one of the numerous water canals that cut through the country, built in the desert in pharaonic works. 
 
The day after the tournament ended, the Sheik suggested to Renzo a jet ski ride. They took a few turns along the canals, until an official suggested that they go to a fishing area. 
 
When they arrived at the place, in the middle of the open sea, there was a rounded enclosure, armed with nets and bamboos, inside which hundreds of fish jumped. The fishermen had thrown this structure into the sea and were guiding the fish into the circle. 
 
Everyone started to get ready for fishing, picking up rods and hooks. But Renzo didn't have the patience to fish in the traditional way... 
 
Impulsively, he jumped off his jet ski and dove into the siege.
 
Immediately the officials of the royal entourage began shouting in Arabic and gesticulating in panic. 
 
Not understanding what was happening, Renzo swam among the frantically struggling fish, until he managed to catch one about 3'5ft long, using only his bare hands. 
 
Everyone around them fell silent, eyes wide. 
 
Overjoyed at his feat, Renzo threw the fish over the bamboo enclosure towards a boat. When the fish landed on the boat, everyone went back to shouting and waving at him. 
 
Still not understanding the reason for that movement, Renzo calmly swam out of the siege and returned to his jet ski. 
 
As they moored at the canal's edge, the Arabs rushed to him, expecting to find many injuries. For that was why they were terrified: those fish were barracudas, an extremely aggressive species, endowed with disproportionately large mouths and full of sharp teeth, distributed irregularly by their powerful jaws. Barracudas are popularly known as tigers of the seas for their size (between 3'3ft and 5'9ft), quick attack and hostility towards humans. They are voracious predators, considered extremely dangerous for people. 
 
Inexplicably, Renzo was unharmed, confirming the famous Latin expression FORTIS FORTUNA ADIUVAT, attributed to the Roman poet Virgil and which can be translated as: “Fortune favors the bold.”

(to be continued)