By: Lorena Balli

The final major gi championship of 2024, the World Jiu-Jitsu Championships, was one of the most exciting editions of the event of all time. Black belt athletes took their submission games to a new level, as several athletes had over a 50% submission rate throughout their run to gold. 

Standout athletes

Adam Wardzinski - Heavyweight Champion; 4 submissions, 100% submission rate

Adam was one of several standout athletes this year at Worlds as he made history becoming the first European male black belt champion. He has been competing in the black belt division since 2016 and never shyed away from the opportunity to win the Worlds, despite qualifying for the Master 1 division. In addition to his World Championship title, Adam also won the 2024 Europeans.

He impressed fans in the stadium with four incredible submissions: a choke from the back against Rafael Silva, a triangle choke against Mateus Rodrigues, an Ezekiel choke against Rider Zuchi, and lastly a classic kata gatame (head and arm choke) against another tough opponent in Vinicious Liberati. 

Gustavo Batista - Medium-Heavyweight Champion; 4 submissions, 100% submission rate

To kick off his campaign in the medium-heavyweight division, Gustavo landed a head and arm choke against Nolan Stuart. He moved on to the quarter finals where he secured an armbar against Rafael Dos Anjos, moving him to the semifinal against 2018 World Champion Isaque Bahianese. Against Isaque, Gustavo landed a unique knee bar from 50/50, which put him in the medium-heavyweight final against Jansen Gomes. Jansen came into the match with a lot of momentum, making it to the final of both the medium-heavyweight division and the open class. Despite his amazing run in the event, Gustavo was able to land a belly down straight ankle lock finish. The submission earned him his third black belt World title. 

Gustavo commented on his amazing performance, stating, “That’s what I look for when I compete. I dedicate myself a lot in training to achieve performances like these so being able to end with so many finishes is an incredible feeling that the work is done.” We asked Gustavo about his favorite submission, to which he replied, “It’s hard to say just one but if I were to choose one right now, I would have to say that footlocks because they gave me another World title.” 

Luiza Monteiro - Lightweight Champion; 4 submissions, 100% submission rate

Luiza Monteiro won her third IBJJF black belt World title in the lightweight division and followed her gold medal with an announcement that this would be her final run at major championships. Her string of submissions this year included a kimura, a choke from the mount, a triangle, and finally, a toe-hold against Brianna Ste Marie in the finals. 

Gabrieli Pessanha - Super Heavy & Absolute Champion; 5 submissions, 83% submission rate

Three-time double Grand Slam Champion Gabrieli Pessanha returned to the Worlds in search of her 7th and 8th gold medals, respectively. She accomplished that feat in astounding fashion, submitting five of her six opponent with straight ankle locks. Gabrieli won her both of her final matches via submission and continued her dominance in IBJJF competition. 

Other black belt World Champions who submitted at least half of their opponents were as follows:

Andressa Cintra - Middleweight Champion; 3 submissions, 75% submission rate

Jackson Nagai - Middleweight Champion; 3 submissions, 75% submission rate

Mayssa Bastos - Roosterweight Champion; 2 submissions, 67% submission rate

Mica Galvao - Lightweight Champion; 3 submissions, 60% submission rate 

Diego “Pato” Oliveira - Light-Featherweight Champion; 50% submission rate

Nathalie Ribeiro - Lightweight Champion; 50% submission rate

Black Belt Finals Result in Astonishing 61% Submission Rate

Major championship black belt divisions represent the highest level of jiu-jitsu in the world. Achieving the submission in a match is impressive at any point in the bracket, let alone in the finals. This year’s World Championship finals had a 61% submission rate. Chokes from the back once again reigned supreme and accounted for four finishes in the finals. Staright ankle locks (3), an armlock (1), a head and arm choke (1), a kneebar (1), and a toe hold (1) were the other submissions used to finish black belt final matches. Overall, black belt athletes put on an incredible display of determination, technique, and finishing ability, proving once again that jiu-jitsu continues to evolve as an art with each passing year.