The next generation of Brazilian grapplers are already making waves today.
Two of the biggest standouts from the recently concluded 2026 ADCC South American Trials in Rio, were a pair of teenage jiu-jitsu prodigies from Brazil. Purple belt David Santos and brown belt Julio Martins both beat seasoned black belts in their division to take ADCC Trials gold at just 18 and 19 years old, respectively.
Santos won seven matches in one day at 66 kg, while Martins won six at 77 kg, leading to both qualifying
for ADCC 2026 as teenagers. The two youngsters both train under the famed Melqui Galvao stable, which also has their teammates Diogo Reis and Mica Galvao as the reigning ADCC champions in their divisions.
The three other South American Trials winners that earned ADCC 2026 invites are reigning IBJJF world champ Roosevelt Souza, Franco Diaz and Elioenai Braz.
Ingridd Alvez, Montserrat Perez and Ana Silva each won gold in their divisions, but they still don’t have a guaranteed spot at ADCC Worlds. Women still have smaller brackets (and prize money) at ADCC, and can only earn invites from the second leg of trials from each region.
Full results from the First ADCC South American Trials are below.
2026 ADCC South American Trials Results
66 kg
Gold: David Santos
Silver: Diego Ortiz
Bronze: Bernardo Albuquerque
77 kg
Gold: Julio Suzigan Martins
Silver: Martin Abeal
Bronze: Gabriel Andrade Monteiro
88 kg
Gold: Franco Diaz
Silver: Gabriel Brod
Bronze: Tyrone Gonsalves
99 kg
Gold: Elioenai Julio Braz
Silver: Fellipe Trovo
Bronze: Ramiro Leon
+99 kg
Gold: Roosevelt Sousa
Silver: Pedro Alex Pimenta
Bronze: Yatan Bueno
Women’s 55 kg
Gold: Montserrat Umana Perez
Silver: Bianca Giannini
Bronze: Estefania Atadia
Women’s 65 kg
Gold: Ana Silva
Silver: Natalia Colaco Maguerroski
Bronze: Julia Boscher
Women’s +65 kg
Gold: Ingridd Sousa
Silver: Maria Clara Cardoso De Abreu
Bronze: Maria Ruffatto-Gilpin
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