The American Nationals are set to host a wealth of talent who intend to make resounding statements early in the second half of 2026. From black belt debutants to stars of the sport, there is no shortage of must-watch athletes in Las Vegas this weekend. Let’s take a look at some of the highlight athletes who prepare to take the mats, beginning with our new batch of rookie black belts following the latest World Championship event.

Emily Leyva

The Atos Dream Team member is fresh off of a dominant 2026 Gi season that included brown belt triumphs at European, Pan, Brasileiro, and World Championship events. Emily also ends her brown belt campaign as one of the most accomplished No-Gi female athletes in the sport with Brasileiro, Pan and World titles in No-Gi Grand Slam competition. The rising star boasts one of the most dangerous armbar systems in the sport, and formidable guard play that is destined to transition seamlessly into the highest level. Emily is set to compete in Gi competition on Thursday (06/25) in a light-featherweight division that has Yasmyn Castro as the top-seed. Emily’s No-Gi bracket will witness her battle Janice Russell for the light-featherweight gold. Excitement is certainly peaking for one of the brightest prospects in female jiu-jitsu to commence her black belt career.

Greta Notaro

Greta Notaro of Alliance is set to make her black belt debut in the heavyweight division at American Nationals. Greta finalized her brown belt career with a silver medal in the most recent World Championship event, capping off a highly accomplished campaign. Greta transitions into the black belt division after securing Pan titles in both Gi & No-Gi, while adding a No-Gi World Championship in brown belt competition. Greta joins a three-competitor heavyweight division where Leticia Teixeira represents the top-seed. The young Alliance athlete will draw well-deserved attention in her black belt debut.

Nata Tenca

An exciting prospect prepares to commence his black belt career in Las Vegas this weekend. Nata Tenca earned his black belt following his ultra-heavyweight World Championship title just a few weeks ago. Nata completed his final brown belt campaign with Brasileiro, European, and World title triumphs in 2026. Finishing his brown belt career as the #3 globally ranked male athlete, Nata enters the highest level with significant confidence as he immediately becomes a major title contender. The Atos Jiu-Jitsu product represents one of the most formidable leglockers in the heavy weight classes, a skillset he is sure to lean on early in his black belt campaign. Nata is set to compete in both Gi and No-Gi brackets at the American Nationals.

A number of elite black belt athletes are slated to showcase their skills on the yellow and blue mats this weekend. Reigning World Champions, breakout stars, and rising talents project to display phenomenal talent and draw significant attention at the 2026 American Nationals.

Helena Crevar 

One of the sport’s biggest stars, Helena Crevar, is set to return to IBJJF competition in Las Vegas. The last time we saw Helena in Las Vegas, she captured the medium-heavyweight No-Gi World Championship. The Kingsway representative remains one of the top pound-for-pound No-Gi athletes in the world, as she aims at making a definitive statement early in this No-Gi season. The jiu-jitsu community has become familiar with Helena delivering dominant performances, as the submission hunter is tasked with topping a three-competitor division that includes Leticia Teixeira. 

Ashlee & Mia Funegra

The Funegra sisters are back in action at the American Nationals. Ashlee returns to competition following a dominant 2026 Gi season that included European, Brasileiro, and World titles in her inaugural Gi season. Ashlee also enters her second No-Gi campaign at the highest level as the reigning light-featherweight No-Gi World Champion. Ashlee and Mia join the featherweight division as the two AOJ phenoms are projected to meet in the finals of the American National event. Ashlee remains undefeated at the black belt level through one full year of competition.

Marco Mendes
Aspire to Inspire athlete Marco Mendes is set to return to Las Vegas after securing the featherweight No-Gi World title in December. Marco’s breakout campaign in 2025 witnessed him capture No-Gi Pan and No-Gi World titles in dominant fashion, proving his elite submission ability amongst top competition. The #8 globally ranked No-Gi male athlete remains the favorite in the lightweight division, while he also enlisted in featherweight Gi competition as the top-seed. The reigning No-Gi World Champion has become known for dynamic finishing ability and thrilling scrambles, which he is likely to deliver again at the American Nationals.

Sarah Galvão

In just one full year at the black belt level, Sarah Galvão has already soared to the #3 globally ranked female athlete. In 2026, Sarah has secured European, Brasileiro, and two Pan titles. Her open class rivalry with Gabi Pessanha in the year’s first three major events became a top storyline throughout the sport, and drew significant attention to the entire female jiu-jitsu landscape. Sarah captured her first black belt major title at No-Gi Pans last year, a feat she will surely look to repeat this season. Sarah is set to clash in Gi competition against Beatrice Jin, while she bumps up into middleweight No-Gi competition to face rookie black belt, Eliza Nascimento, in the opening round. The Atos star aims to continue her remarkable 2026 campaign with a resounding No-Gi season.

Tarcisio Santos

The young talent, Tarcisio Santos, continues to impress just six months into his black belt campaign. Tarcisio is coming off a dazzling World Championship performance, in which he secured a bronze medal in one of the most stacked Worlds brackets. The Marcio Andre standout is set to compete in the middleweight division at American Nationals, where he enters as the top-seed in the bracket. Eduardo Avelar, Alef Brito, and Luca Ramaci stand to offer intriguing potential matchups for the rookie black belt who aims at expanding upon his early black belt success.

Female Open Class

Gi competition boasts names such as Sarah Galvão, Larissa Dias, Maca Vicentini, Elizah Nascimento, Leticia Teixeira, Aghata Rabelo, and many more talented athletes. With the brackets remaining to be seen, only time will tell who officially enlists in absolute competition. However, with such talent in the Gi weight classes it is not difficult to project intense open class matchups. 

No-Gi brackets offer similar athletes to that of the Gi competition with names such as Sarah Galvão, Maca Vicentini, Elizah Nascimento, and Leticia Teixeira. However, some No-Gi specialists such as Izabel Seki, Gabriele Shuck, and Helena Crevar may showcase their skills in the open class division. Many jiu-jitsu enthusiasts around the world would love to witness Helena Crevar pursue a double-gold performance, especially against the likes of Sarah Galvão. That match up would certainly demand international attention, and likely become one of the major storylines of the American Nationals.