Michelle is no stranger to competition. She has done everything from MMA to Pro Jiu Jitsu tournaments; Polaris Pro, Metamoris; you name it! I will be paying extra close attention to her to see if a final will happen with her against Mackenzie. That would be super-exciting to see!
Angelica is definitely a force to be reckoned with! You'd be a fool to count her out of any competition she enters. She's a fitness guru and 100% dedicated to improving her jiu jitsu... after her family, of course. She's married to Andre Galvao, in case you didn't know ;)
Today, Angelica is a black belt, inspired by her husband/coach and mentor who Angelica says, “is a great father, husband, professor, coach, business man, man of God and one of the greatest people ever and every time I look at him, he shows me that is possible for me to be a mom, wife, business owner, coach, have a compromise with God and still be able to be in the highest level in BJJ.”
Worlds 2014, Light 1st, Brown Adult
Las Vegas Spring 2014, Medium Heavy 1st, Brown Adult
Pan Ams 2014, Light 1st, Brown Adult
American Nat 2013, Light 1st, Brown Adult
American Nat 2013, Open 2nd, Brown Adult
Pan Ams 2013 Light, 1st, Brown Adult
Worlds 2012 Light, 3rd, Brown Adult
Pan Ams 2012 Light, 1st, Purple Adult
San Francisco 2012, Light 1st, Purple Adult
San Francisco 2012, Open 2nd, Purple Adult
Houston 2012 Light, 1st, Purple Adult
Worlds 2011 Light, 1st, Purple Adult
Brazilian Nationals, 1st, Blue Belt
Sao Paulo State, 1st, Blue Belt
Worlds, 2005, 3rd, Blue Belt
Beatriz Mesquita
Bia is a name we don't hear much, but she's definitely been around the block a few times. Championships in bog gi and Nogi; world, pan and national. She will be exciting to watch as well!
Beatriz Mesquita in action, in Pan 2013. Photo: Erin Herle/GRACIEMAG
Beatriz Mesquita, also known as Bia Mesquita, is an exciting Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under the legendary Leticia Ribeiro. Being pointed as the next big thing in women’s Jiu Jitsu when she was still a teenager, Beatriz Mesquita has cemented her status as one of the greatest grapplers of her generation by achieved numerous BJJ titles such as the World Nogi Championship and the Pan American title before even reaching her black belt status. Mesquita has also competed successfully in Wrestling and Judo as well as swimming.
Full Name: Beatriz de Oliveira Mesquita
Nickname: Bia, which is a common short name for Beatriz.
Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Royler Gracie > Vini Aieta > Leticia Ribeiro > Beatriz Mesquita
Main Achievements:
- World Champion (2014 weight & absolute || lower belts: 2009 purple weight & absolute, 2008 purple, 2007 blue)
- World Nogi Champion (2010)
- Pan American Champion (2011 || Lower belts: 2009 purple, 2008 purple weight & absolute)
- Brazilian National Champion (Lower belts: 2008 purple weight & absolute, 2007 blue – junior, 2006 blue – junior weight WO & absolute)
- European Champion (2010 weight & absolute)
- Rio Open Champion (2010)
- World Nogi Silver Medallist (2010 absolute)
- World Cup Pro Silver Medallist (2010)
- World Bronze Medallist (2010 weight & absolute)
- Pan American Bronze Medallist (2011 absolute)
Weight Division: Peso Leve (64kg-141lbs)
Favourite Position/Technique: Guard
Team/Association: Gracie Humaita
Luanna Alzuguir
A Five Time World Champion, Luanna is definitely one to watch. Her open guard is phenomenal and once she gets on top, it might as well be game over. This lineup of women is getting more and more interesting!
Luanna Alzuguir is a historical figure in women’s jiu jitsu history, being one of the most dominant lightweight competitors of her generation, with several world titles to her name. A black belt under instructor Marco Barbosa, and a former member of the Barbosa Jiu Jitsu team, Luanna Alzuguir is mostly known for her time spent fighting for the Alliance academy banner.
Full Name: Luanna Alzuguir Marton Moraes
Nickname: N/A
Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Rickson Gracie > Marcelo Behring > Waldomiro Perez >Roberto Godoi > Marco Barbosa > Luanna Alzuguir
Main Achievements:
- World Champion (2009, 2010 absolute, 2011, 2012, 2013)
- World Pro Cup Champion UAEJJ (2011, 2012)
- ADCC Champion (2009)
- Pan American Champion (2011)
- European Champion (2011 weight and absolute)
- World Cup Champion CBJJE (2007 – weight and absolute)
- Sao Paulo State Champion (8x)
Favourite Technique/Position: Open Guard
Weight Division: Lightweight
Team/Association: Alliance
Andresa Correa
Andresa is not one to self-promote. And as such, it's difficult to find anything but videos of her WINNING. That being said, all the needed info to tell us that she will be one to watch is there. She has won many national and Pan championships and is always a fierce competitor.
Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Rolls Gracie > Romero Cavalcanti > Fábio Gurgel
Weight Division: 74kg
Team/Association: Alliance
And last but definitely not least...
Dominyka Obelenyte
Dominyka is already a star in the making from Marcelo Garcia’s Academy in New York City. She is one of the youngest Mundials champions and on the path to be one of the best ever!
Photo by Hilliary Williams
Full Name: Dominyka Obelenyte
Nickname: N/A
Team/Association: Marcelo Garcia
Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Rolls Gracie > Romero Cavalcanti > Fabio Gurgel > Marcelo Garcia.
This is most certainly not a comprehensive list. There are SO many competitors to keep track of and SO many very talented, very deserving of accolade female fighters out there today. We, as always, are supporters of Women In Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. They do nothing but enrich the training environment and add nothing but positives to the BJJ landscape. We appreciate you, ladies! Good luck in this years tournament! I am very excited to see you all compete!
If you readers have anything to add, subtract or change, please leave a comment. We're always more than happy to hear feedback!
