William Wilson

William Wilson is an American grappler and jiu-jitsu black belt under Andre “Alemão” Vasconcelos of the Carlson Gracie Association, who first made waves in the sport while competing in the colored belt divisions of the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) circuit, though his first major break onto a mainstream audience took place at the professional level in his rookie black belt year (2026) when he conquered the European Championship in Lisbon, Portugal.

William “Will” Wilson Jiu-Jitsu

Full Name: William James Wilson

Nickname: N/A

Lineage:  Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie >Carlson Gracie > Carlson Gracie Jr > André Vasconcelos > William Wilson

Main Achievements:

• 1st Place European Championship (2026)
• 2nd Place Pan Championship (2026)

Main Achievements (Colored Belts):

• 1st American Nationals (2024 purple)
• 2nd Place World Championship (2024 purple)

Main Achievements (Juvenile):

• 1st Place World Championship (2021)
• 1st Place Pan Championship (2022)
• 1st Place World Championship NOGI (2022)
• 3rd Place World Championship (2022)

* Absolute
** Weight and absolute

Favorite Position/Technique: Deep Half Guard

Weight Division: Peso Leve (76,00 kg / 168.0 lbs)

Team/Association: Carlson Gracie Academy

William Wilson Biography

William Wilson was born in September 2005 in Conway, Arkansas, USA, but moved to Maui, Hawaii, age 2 where he spent his formative years.

Jiu-Jitsu was introduced to Will by his father, a fan of the sport, when he was 4. Wilson became passionate about grappling from the very early stages of his training under the guidance of Christian Grandi of Carlson Gracie – Lahaina.

Grandi promoted William up until his white-and-green belts, a time when the Wilson family moved back to mainland USA, settling in Torrance, California. While on the American West Coast, Wilson restarted his training with Andre “Alemão” Vasconcelos, another Carlson Gracie Academy affiliate. Andre “Alemão” awarded Wilson all his subsequent belts, including his black belt, awarded in June 2025.

Although coach “Alemão” is widely recognized as the mastermind behind Will Wilson’s success, Andre Vasconcelos’s team – William included – maintained a good relationship with Marcio Andre‘s team in Arizona, often doing training camps with the Brazilian coach in anticipation of big tournaments. Therefore, Marcio became a familiar face in Will’s small training circuit.