Jackson Nagai and Carlos ‘Bebeto’ Oliveira both have the rare opportunity to claim a place in the history books this year by winning the IBJJF Master World Championship 2024. They will be able to do something that no black belt has ever done before if they can finish that tournament on top of the podium. Both Nagai and Oliveira have entered the event after winning their respective divisions at the IBJJF World Championship 2024, and no competitor has ever won both of those tournaments in the same year. It’s a difficult feat of course because it requires a grappler over the age of 30 to still be at the top of the sport.
Obviously the hardest part of that feat is winning the IBJJF World Championship against a field of younger athletes, but both Nagai and Oliveira have already done that. Now they’ll be able to compete in a division of their peers instead, something that is generally going to be the easier half of the achievement. Interestingly, both of them actually won their very first world title this year so this has already been the most successful year of their competitive careers. Adding the IBJJF Master World Championship to their list of accomplishments would be the icing on the cake for either of them.
Oliveira won his world title at roosterweight while Nagai won his at middleweight, but they won’t both be competing in the same divisions at the IBJJF Master World Championship 2024. Nagai is staying at middleweight, but Oliveira has chosen to move up to the light-featherweight division instead. Given their respective runs of success this year, they will both be the favorites to win gold medals in their divisions as well. It would take something truly special for someone in their brackets to beat Nagai or Oliveira, and no doubt plenty of fans will be watching to see if anyone can manage it.
The full IBJJF Master World Championship 2024, including Jackson Nagai and Carlos ‘Bebeto’ Oliveira attempting to make history, will be available to watch live on August 29th to 31st, 2024, on FloGrappling, click here to subscribe and watch.