João Miyao

João Miyao is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Cicero Costha who competes for the PSLPB academy (Projeto Social Lutando Pelo Bem) and Unity Jiu-Jitsu in this sport/martial-arts international circuit. Considered a prodigy of BJJ since his teens, João and his twin brother Paulo Miyao (commonly known as the Miyao Brothers) have piled up medals in the globe’s most important tournaments, both being among the very best competitors of their generation.

João Miyao Jiu-Jitsu

Full name: João Ricardo Bordignon Miyao

Nickname: N / A

lineage: Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Rickson Gracie > Marcelo Behring > Waldomiro Perez > Roberto Godoi > Marco Barbosa > Cicero Costha > João Miyao

Main Achievements:

• 1st Place IBJJF World Championship (2019)
• 1st Place IBJJF World No-Gi Championship (2015/2017/2018/2019)
• 1st Place IBJJF Pan Championship (2014/2015/2016/2017/2018)
• 1st Place IBJJF Pan No-Gi Championship (2015 / 2018)
• 1st Place IBJJF European Open (2014/2018/2019)
• 1st Place ACBJJ 6 Grand Prix (2017)
• 1st Place KASAI Pro 6 Grand Prix (2019)
• 1st Place IBJJF Brazilian Nationals (2014)
• 1st Place UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Pro (2018)
• 1st Place UAEJJF Grand Slam, Abu Dhabi Champion (2018/2019)
• 1st Place UAEJJF Grand Slam, Rio de Janeiro Champion (2015)
• 1st Place UAEJJF Grand Slam, Los Angeles Champion (2017)
• 2nd Place IBJJF World Championship (2014/2015/2017)
• 2nd Place IBJJF World No-Gi Championship (2016)
• 2nd Place UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Pro (2019)
• 3rd Place IBJJF World Championship (2018)
• 3rd Place CBJJ Brazilian Nationals (2019)

Main Achievements (Colored Belts):

• 1st Place IBJJF World Championship (2013 brown, 2012/2011 purple)
• 1st Place IBJJF Pan Championship (2013 brown, purple 2012, 2011 blue)
• 1st Place IBJJF European Open (2013 brown)
• 1st Place IBJJF Brazilian Nationals (2013 brown, purple 2012)
• 1st Place CBJJ Brazilian No-Gi Nationals (2012 purple)
• 2nd Place IBJJF European Open (2013* brown)
• 2nd Place CBJJ Brazilian Nationals (2012* purple)
• 2nd Place CBJJ Brazilian No-Gi Nationals (2012* purple)
• 3rd Place IBJJF Pan Championship (2013* brown)

* Absolute
** Weight and absolute

Position / Technique Favorite: Berimbolo

Weight Division: Peso Pluma  (64,00 kg / 141.5 lbs)

Team/Association: PSLPB Cicero Costha/Unity JJ NYC

João Miyao Biography

João Miyao was born on May 11, 1991, in the city Andirá in the state of Paraná – Brazil, along with his twin brother Paulo Miyao. They are 3rd generation, Japanese descendants, with humble beginnings, being the sons of a farmer and a housewife.

The two began martial arts through Judo, but found Jiu-Jitsu at the age of 16 and never looked back. The Miyao bros first teacher was Adriano Carvalho, who early on recognized the talent these two boys possessed and encouraged them to train and fight more regularly. With the Jiu-Jitsu “bug” growing and growing, the two brothers decided they wanted to become Jiu-Jitsu fighters professionally and so as soon as they were of age they moved to São Paulo (against the wishes of their parents) to pursue their dream.

In São Paulo the Miyao brothers found a home in Cicero Costha’s social project, the PSLPB or Projeto Social Lutando Pelo Bem (Fighting for Good Social Project). Living within the academy along with other eager athletes, the brothers began winning many championships focusing many of their techniques on the Mendes brothers (Rafael and Guilherme). Their sharp and bendy guards and the fact the Miyao’s were consistently medalling in the absolute divisions weighing only 64 kilos brought the curiosity of the media to the Parana duo, and with this curiosity/recognition came the sponsorships needed for siblings to showcase their skills in the top competitions of the world, a test they passed with flying colors.

Although Paulo Miyao has received a brown belt before João, João caught up with his brother and the two ended up getting the desired black belt together on June 2013.