Elite competitor Mica Galvao has just announced that he has joined the Brazilian army. It might seem like an unusual choice for an athlete at the top of their sport, but there are actually quite a few grapplers involved with their nation’s armed forces. The timing is very surprising though, as Galvao is coming off one of the most successful years in the history of the sport. Not only did he win pretty much every major tournament imaginable in a single year, but he also reconfirmed his plans to transition to MMA and announced a desire to wrestle in the Olympics too.
Galvao has a lot on his plate right now in general and he’s currently preparing for an incredibly tough middleweight grand prix at BJJ Stars 15. Although that’s the only appearance he currently has booked, it won’t be too long before he appears in other major events this year. He recently signed a two-year contract with FloGrappling and will be looking to defend his WNO welterweight title, along with potentially even challenging Jonnatas Gracie for the middleweight title if he wants to test himself further. Although he has a lot of goals for his grappling and MMA career, he’s now going to have his military career to focus on as well.
Mica Galvao announced the news that he had joined the Brazilian army in a recent post to his official Instagram account (Translated from the original Portuguese):
“Attention, gentlemen. Allow me to introduce myself. Sergeant Micael Galvão, of the Brazilian Army, introducing himself. I entered through a public selection process, like any other citizen athlete who dreams of serving the country. I presented my qualifications, underwent medical exams, physical tests, social investigation and an introductory course on military life. I did not enter for the money. I entered for a mission. I have always represented Brazil on the mats. Now, I also represent it in uniform. From now on, whenever my competitive calendar allows, I will make myself available to participate in the real missions that the Army carries out with excellence — whether supporting communities, solidarity missions or wherever the Brazilian people need it. I want to do more. To truly serve. Because Brazil is my team. And now, it is also my mission.”
