Mica Galvao has just received the first degree on his BJJ black belt from his father and the only coach of his career, Melqui Galvao. He has achieved the rank at the incredibly young age of 20 years old, as a result of the fact that he was the youngest person to ever be promoted to black belt 3 years ago. The promotion caused quite a stir at the time because Galvao was just 17 years old but it really couldn’t have gone to anyone more deserving, as he was already known as one of the top prospects in the sport and was on par with many elite black belts even then.
He quickly proved that in competition by winning the only major gi tournament he was eligible to compete in as a 17 year old black belt; the Abu Dhabi World Pro 2021. He continued that phenomenal run in a major no gi tournament immediately afterward, winning the first ADCC South American Trials in 2022. With his invite to ADCC 2022 secured, that gave him the opportunity to prove himself among the very best no gi grapplers in the world. Although he fell just short of making history by winning the under 77kg division, the silver medal he left with was more than enough to prove he belonged.
In the short space of time between being promoted to BJJ black belt and receiving his first degree, Mica Galvao has skyrocketed to the very top of the sport’s rankings. He has beaten almost every big name in his weight class and after a fantastic campaign in 2024, he has also won every major gi title available. By winning the IBJJF World Championship just a few weeks ago, Galvao was able to complete his incredible IBJJF Grand Slam run. Now he has his sights set on ADCC 2024, as he has been invited to return once again and he will attempt to finish what he started several years ago.
Mica Galvao announced the news that he had received the first degree on his BJJ black belt in a recent post to his official Instagram account. He also added the following statement (translated from the original Portuguese):
”Today I received my first degree on the black belt. In March 2021 I graduated to black belt in wrestling, in July 2021 at a young age I graduated to black belt in Jiu-Jitsu. By being the world pro champion at brown belt, I earned the right to have my black belt recognised by the UAEJJF. The same year I was (Abu Dhabi) World Pro champion at black belt, becoming the youngest athlete in history to do so. Even though I was at my peak in 2021, I couldn’t fight at the IBJJF (World Championship) because the rules weren’t today’s yet. A few years have gone by and what was madness and disrespect for some has become reality. I’m very proud to be with my brother Diogo Reis, let’s be pioneers in this change in history. Diogo won the World Cup at Youth blue belt in 2019 and in 2020 he was debuting in a big event at black belt. He ended up being suspended for a year, he had to return the trophy and money he had won but the message had been delivered. We represented a generation that was coming, we represented the evolution of sport and changes needed to be made.”
