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Janaina Lebre is the first female lightweight Crown contender to be announced. Janaina has displayed her elite ability with consecutive World Championship titles. The veteran competitor remains a strong candidate to add a Crown title to her resume.

The Lebre Jiu-Jitsu Academy standout enjoyed a career year in 2025, securing all four Grand Slam event titles including her first World Championship gold. Janaina returned to Grand Slam competition in 2026 with a Pan silver medal and her second consecutive World Championship title.

The 2025 Crown witnessed Janaina fall short to rookie black belt Sarah Galvao in the lightweight finals. The two met again in the 2026 Pan lightweight finals, where Sarah again secured a close victory to capture the Pan title. Their third match came in the 2026 World finals, where Janaina was able to slow the pace of the match and secure a tight referee decision victory. 

Janaina’s creative guardplay generates significant challenges for her opponents, specifically when she is able to utilize lapel and lasso guards. While her technique and athleticism are world-class, Janaina’s experience, patience, and precision are what often separates her from fellow lightweight contenders.

The two-time World Champion aims at securing her first Crown title, seeking to add the prestigious trophy amidst her already stellar resume. The 2026 Crown female lightweight division is guaranteed to offer eight of the world’s top lightweight competitors vying for the renowned Crown title.

Stay tuned to official IBJJF channels for continued announcements regarding the 2026 IBJJF Crown. The event is scheduled for November 8th in the famous Pyramid in Long Beach, California.