Top purple belt athletes captured their share of the World Championship spotlight with distinct intensity. The Pyramid in Long Beach, California witnessed elite purple belt prospects secure World titles and further their promising careers. Highlight performances culminate with elevated recognition and expectations from a collection of world-class competitors.

 

Raika Castro

A DreamArt standout made her presence known at the 2026 World Championships. Raika Castro delivered an astounding seven-match run to claim double-gold honors. Raika secured four submission victories en route to a fascinating performance under the brightest lights. The DreamArt product commenced her run with a heavyweight title, before outlasting sixteen absolute contenders to earn double-gold status. The triumph marked Raika’s first major event title at the purple belt level, a feat that will certainly elevate expectations and recognition surrounding the young prospect’s future competition.

 

Hawann Hennye

Hawann Hennye certified himself as one of the brightest prospects in the sport. The young competitor is in the midst of his first season competing at the adult level, and he has certainly made a statement. The Gracie Barra product commenced his season with a Pans title at the blue belt level before securing his purple belt just one month before Worlds. Hawann secured five victories, including two submission finishes to become the purple belt light-featherweight World Champion. After securing his gold medal on the podium, Hawann was surprised with his brown belt promotion. The young phenom spent a shocking four weeks at the purple belt level, as he now prepares to clash with top brown belt talent.

 

Natalee Funegra

A bright prospect in the purple belt division has maintained distinct dominance over the light-featherweight division. Natalee Funegra has commenced her adult career with an undefeated purple belt campaign that included European, Pan, Brasileiro, and World titles. The seventeen year old phenom begins a brown belt career with specific recognition as one of the most exciting prospects in the sport. With both her older sisters now World Champions at the black belt level, the expectations upon Natalee continue to increase. The AOJ product continues to answer each challenge with poise and ability well beyond her years, as the new brown belt seeks to continue her dominant run in a new division.

 

Fernando Paiva 

AOJ standout Fernando Paiva has been a consistent fixture atop major event podiums in 2026. Fernando delivered standout performances at European, Pan, and Brasileiro events this season, culminating in a six-match run to World Championship glory. Fernando was faced with a deep featherweight division that boasted sixty-six high-level competitors. The AOJ product ends the 2026 gi season with four gold medals and a promotion into the brown belt division. Fernando has enjoyed phenomenal success in the first half of the 2026 season, as the jiu-jitsu community eagerly awaits the start of his brown belt career.

 

Aleksandra Moranda 

The medium-heavyweight division witnessed the triumph of Ola Aleksandra Moranda. The Academia Gorila athlete showcased her technical ability, mental fortitude, and dangerous finishing ability through four matches of Worlds competition. Ola submitted each of her first three opponents with two straight ankle locks and an armbar finish before squaring off with Ilorrany Batista in the finals. Ola completed her run with a six point victory, cementing herself as a World Champion athlete. 

 

Lucas Yan 

The middleweight division has been under the stifling control of Lucas Yan throughout 2026. The DreamArt representative secured European, Pan, Brasiliero, and World Championship titles at the purple belt level this season. Lucas showcases great strategy and strong guardplay to outlast his opponents, a combination he will surely rely upon at the brown belt level. Lucas Yan ends the gi campaign as the #1 ranked male purple belt in the World, and looks ahead to a promising brown belt career.

 

Fiona Levi 

The ECJJA product, Fiona Levi, captured her breakthrough moment at the 2026 World Championships. Fiona had secured a silver and two bronze medals across Pan and European Championship events this season, falling just short in her major title contention. The Worlds provided her with the opportunity to face five high-level athletes with the unique pressure of the prestigious event. Fiona claimed three submission finishes en route to capturing the lightweight World Championship. The ECJJA standout was promoted to brown belt atop the Worlds podium, surely creating a lasting memory for the rising prospect.

 

João Vitor

Vision athlete, João Vitor, delivered a thrilling performance at the 2026 World Championships. The young prospect captured his first major title at the purple belt level with a dominant four match run to gold. An opening round lapel choke finish led to a pair of challenging points victories in the quarter and semifinals. João cemented himself as the roosterweight purple belt World Champion with a stunning rear naked choke finish over Ryan Victor in the finals. João secured a Worlds gold medal and his brown belt in a memorable day that underscored his formidable talent and mindset.

 

Luis Henrique 

The Alliance product Luis Henrique managed to outlast a dangerous field of thirteen contenders. Luis showcased a well-balanced game and mental persistence, despite being challenged in each of his four absolute victories. In a division that often represents the champion of champions in the color belts, Luis claimed the title. The young talent received his brown belt promotion immediately after securing a finals win over Oliver Silvestro, signifying a special moment in the promising career of Luis Henrique.

 

Agatha Nigro

Another DreamArt product, Agatha Nigro, completed her Grand Slam sweep in 2026 with a super-heavyweight World title. Agatha’s success at European, Pan, and Brasileiro events set the stage for a memorable culmination of a fantastic season. Her Worlds journey witnessed her claim a submission and points victory in her weight division, and claim another submission in the absolute bracket. Agatha ends the gi season as the #1 ranked female purple belt in the world. Agatha received her brown belt promotion from Professor Isaque Bahiense, generating distinct excitement for her ascension into brown belt competition.

 

Rodrigo Dantas 

The Vision standout Rodrigo Dantas has enjoyed a spectacular 2026 season. Rodrigo entered the ultra-heavyweight bracket after having secured the division’s title at European, Pan, and Brasileiro events this year. Rodrigo secured three finishes in four matches to earn his fourth major title triumph of the season. The Vision prospect has showcased relentless vigor and strong technical ability throughout his purple belt campaign, as he ends the gi season as the #2 globally ranked male purple belt.