Joao Miyao - BJJ Black Belt World Champion

Joao Miyao was born in Andirá City, in the state of Paraná, Brazil. Miyao is a top-ranked featherweight BJJ competitor who has won many BJJ Championships in his weight division. Since his teens, Miyao has won many medals in the world’s most important tournaments, being the best competitor of his generation. He started Jiu-Jitsu with his twin brother, Paulo Miyao. Now, he is a black belt under Cicero Costha and an IBJJF World Championship winner.

Miyao spent his early life with his twin brother, Paulo Miyao. They are the sons of a farmer and a housewife. Being the 3rd generation Japanese descendants, both brothers had humble beginnings. Miyao’s mother was Brazilian, and his father was a Japanese national. The Miyao brothers started martial arts by training Judo at an early age.

At 16, the Miyao brothers were introduced to jiu-jitsu while playing Judo, which they left after being introduced to BJJ. The Miyao brothers possessed a natural talent for BJJ, which was first recognized by their jiu-jitsu instructor, Adriano Carvalho. With the encouragement of their instructor, the Miyao brothers started practicing BJJ regularly. Eventually, both brothers decided to pursue jiu-jitsu professionally.

After deciding to pursue BJJ professionally, the Miyao brothers moved to Sao Paulo against the will of their parents to pursue their dreams. 

In São Paulo, Joao Miyao, and his brother found a shelter in Cicero Costha’s social project, the Projeto Social Lutando Pelo Bem or PSLPB. Being in the academy with many eager athletes, the brothers started to win many championships focusing their techniques on the Mendes brothers.

Even though they weighed only 64 kgs, the Miyao brothers consistently won in the absolute divisions thanks to their razor-sharp grappling skills. These consistent victories earned Joao Miyao recognition and acclaim. This recognition helped them get the sponsorship they needed to showcase their skills in the prestigious BJJ world competitions.

In July 2013, Cicero Costha promoted Jaoa Miyao and his brother to the black belt rank. As a black belt, Miyao participated in many international championships and won medals.

In 2022, Paulo wrote an emotional letter to Joao, expressing that he misses him. By this time, Paulo had already left the competitions and started his coaching academy. Miyao brothers have been together, supporting each other for a lifetime, and this letter manifests their strong bond.

Jao Miyao competed with Rene Lopez at the 2019 IBJJF World Championship in the black belt rooster weight division. At the start of the fight, Lopez scored the first two points by taking down and gripping Miyao with his leg. But immediately after that, Miyao scored two points by reversing Lopez’s technique and taking him down.  After a long and intense fight, Miyao won the match with two advantage points.

At the 2019 IBJJF World No-Gi Championship in the black belt light-featherweight division,  Joao Miyao fought with Anthony Oliveira. Miyao scored the first two points with the takedown by grasping Oliveira’s leg. But, instantly Oliveira got two points by reversing Miyao’s technique with the takedown. After a few minutes into the fight, Miyao defeated Oliveira with his excellent rear naked choke submission technique.

At the 2018 IBJJF World No-Gi Championship, in the black belt, Joao Miyao faced Cleber Sousan in the light featherweight division. Miyao scored the first two points by taking down Sousa via leg entanglement. Next, Sousa got two points by rolling Miyao using his leg. In the end, Miyao defeated Sousa with his excellent rear-naked choke technique.

Bruno Malfacine v Joao Miyao / World Championship 2014

Michael Musumeci Jr. vs João Miyao / World Championship 2017

Caio Terra VS João Miyao / World Championship 2016

Joao Miyao VS Alex Ecklin / Pan NoGi Championship 2018

Photo Credit: @joaomiyao