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The fifteenth edition of the Asian Championships is officially in the books. The tournament witnessed up-and-coming prospects, belt debuts, international stars, and standout performances from world-class athletes. Every year the event continues to showcase the extraordinary rise of the competition landscape in Asia. Lets take a look at some of the notable storylines and performances from the 2026 Asian Championships.

 

Color Belts

A fascinating collection of elite prospects took to the mats in Japan over the weekend. The jiu-jitsu community witnessed ascending athletes continue their journey at new belts, and others retain their division dominance. There were numerous double-gold champions, standout submission performances, and upset title runs to be celebrated.

 

India Risby

The purple belt sensation received her brown belt promotion after securing her Grand Slam title with a Brasileiro Championship early this year. India’s first brown belt performance resulted in a middleweight World title run just weeks ago. The Atos product followed that magnificent performance with a double-gold performance at the Asian Championships over the weekend. India secured middleweight and open class titles with five submissions in as many matches. The young prospect has immediately become a force in the brown belt division, furthering anticipation for what projects to be a promising black belt career.

 

Oliver Silvestro

The Aussie standout athlete secured a remarkable double-gold performance in Japan over the weekend. Oliver Silvestro obtained his brown belt just three weeks ago, following a phenomenal purple belt career. His Asian Championship performance marked the beginning of his brown belt journey, one that is certainly off to a promising start. The High Rollers representative captured five submissions in six matches, proving his submission-oriented style yet again. Oliver continues to impress on the international stage, as he is building quite the color belt resume leading up to his black belt career.

 

Eiki Suzuki

Another purple belt major champion made his brown belt debut in Japan. Eiki Suzuki commenced his brown belt career with a three match run to roosterweight gold, proving his skillset will transition nicely at his new level. Eiki is likely to compete for major event gold throughout his brown belt tenure while consistently showcasing his submission oriented style and impressive guard play.

 

Thealfegar Al-Jaberi 

CheckMat standout Thealfegar Al-Jaberi claimed a breakthrough moment at the Asian Championships. Thealfegar secured both the super-heavyweight and open class titles with an astounding 100% submission rate throughout. His game displayed relentless finishing techniques, even from difficult positions, such as his buggy choke finish from bottom side-control. Thealfegar Al-Jaberi certainly proved his name is worth remembering, as he looks ahead to future gold medal performances.

 

Bradley Day

Bradley Day outlasted his fellow middleweight contenders, in a tough division that was headlined by Kellyson Carlos. Bradley entered as the eight-seed in the division and took out Kellyson in the quarterfinals. Throughout his middleweight title run, Bradley showed off his dangerous submission arsenal en route to five victories and a gold medal. The Jiu-Jitsu Lab athlete completed a fantastic Asian Championship outing and proved his talent among the division’s top competitors.

 

Nicolly Sekitani

Infight Jiu-Jitsu athlete Nicolly Sekitani claimed lightweight and open class gold medals in Japan over the weekend. Nicolly secured seven victories with multiple submissions, in a standout performance that proved her talent among elite purple belt athletes. Her dramatic flying armbar finish to secure the absolute title served as a highlight reel moment amongst her outstanding Asian Championship campaign.

 

Black Belt Champions

Thiago Ueno 

Thiago Ueno of Alma Fight Gym Homies claimed roosterweight gold in Japan. Thiago adds the Asian title next to his Pan Pacific gold medal that he claimed in 2025. Impressive guard attacks highlight Thiago’s game, while he continues to build upon successes early in his career.

 

Sueru Okaizumi

Arta claims another champion in Sueru Okaizumi. Through four matches, Sueru secured four victories and the light-featherweight title. Sueru claimed the gold medal after settling for a silver medal in the last edition of the event, signifying the continued improvement of one of Arta’s top athletes. 

 

Jun Yong Cho

One of the brightest performances from the 2026 Asian Championships came at the hand of Jun Yong Cho. The Wire Jiu-Jitsu has steadily risen to be one of the greatest competitive teams on the Asian circuit, shown by top athletes such as Jun Yong. This marks back-to-back featherweight titles at the Asian Championships, this time coming through four submissions in as many matches. Jun Yong claimed a bronze medal in the first Grand Slam event in 2026, and projects to continue to stand upon the podium at major events throughout his career.

 

Mateo Cardona

A notable name descended upon Japan with specific attention. Mateo Cardona represented AOJ in Japan with a four match-run to become the 2026 lightweight Asian Champion. Mateo has had an intriguing rookie season at the black belt level, entering the highest level with immense expectations. His silver medal at the European Championships, and Asian Championship title represent some of his finest accomplishments at the black belt level. Nevertheless, Mateo’s skillset projects to see him atop major event podiums sooner rather than later.

 

Jackson Nagai

Former World Champion Jackson Nagai returned to the country that molded him after a twelve year absence. Jackson celebrated his return with a four-match run to middleweight gold. The Inevat athlete has maintained incredible form throughout 2026, coming off a silver medal performance at the World Championships. His fantastic Asian Championship outing included multiple submissions en route to yet another thrilling gold medal run.

 

Uanderson Ferreira

Carlson Gracie Team standout Uanderson Ferreira put on a show in Japan. Uanderson showcased the athleticism and exciting style for which he has become renowned. The medium-heavyweight champion earned three victories with a pair of submissions in an impressive performance. Uanderson continues to display continued growth at the highest echelon, leaving many to believe there are major championship titles in his future.

 

Caio Viturino

CheckMat representative Caio Viturino earned two victories to claim the heavyweight Asian Championship title. Caio himself stated it was the biggest achievement in his career thus far, undoubtedly granting him the confidence to build upon this momentum. The gold medal performance has marked Caio’s second such outing in 2026, but does not project to be his last.

 

Marcelo Gomide

A Syd Trinity BJJ product claimed the super-heavyweight title in Japan last weekend. Marcelo Gomide continued on to claim an open class silver medal amongst stiff competition. In total, Marcelo claimed five victories and three submissions in arguably the greatest performance in his career. Marcelo has claimed World bronze before, and showcased the skillset that could very well place him atop a Grand Slam event podium again.

 

Alexander Sak

Alexander Sak delivered a standout performance at the 2026 Asian Championships. The Abdullaev Team competitor secured a pair of gold medals at the black belt level, warranting the attention of the entire jiu-jitsu community. Alexander captured six submissions in as many matches, all by way of the bread cutter finishing system. With eight gold medals accumulated through 2026 competition, the Asian Championships marks Alexander’s most dominant performance yet. Alexander is set to compete in World Master competition, where he will likely enter as the favorite to claim a Master World title.

 

Kacie Tan 

AOJ athlete Kacie Tan secured the roosterweight title in Japan. Kacie secured the victory against her lone opponent to capture her Asian Championship title. Kacie remains a former Master World Champion and now boasts three gold medal performances in 2026.

 

Milena Kaori 

Another Alma Fight Gym Homies athlete secured her Asian Championship title in the light-featherweight division. Milena Kaori earned a submission finish and two victories to claim her title in Japan. She added a bronze medal in the open division as a light-featherweight, underscoring her immense vigor and fighting spirit. Milena captured the first gold medal in her 2026 campaign while proving herself to be in top form.

 

Ashlee Funegra

One of the brightest young stars in jiu-jitsu travelled to Japan to claim her second Asian Championship title. Ashlee finalized a phenomenal rookie Grand Slam season with three major titles including a World Championship gold medal. The AOJ athlete remains undefeated at the black belt level, while becoming a No-Gi and Gi World Champion in just one year at the highest level. Ashlee has consistently showcased impeccable technique and a thrilling style, shown again through her submission finish in her lone match in Japan.

 

Keanna Klay

Gracie Barra standout Keanna Klay delivered a remarkable performance at the Asian Championships. Keanna secured gold medals in both the lightweight and open class divisions, claiming five victories along the way. Keanna secured a pair of bronze medals in Grand Slam competition this year and remains one of the most promising young prospects at the black belt level. Her Asian Championship performance proves her skillset and trajectory as one of Gracie Barra’s top black belt athletes.

 

Yuka Nakayama

Carpe Diem claims the female middleweight champion in Yuka Nakayama. In one match, Yuka displayed strong passing techniques leading to a decisive kimura finish. Yuka adds her Asian title alongside her Master 2 European Championship open class title earned in January of this year. Yuka’s impressive performance proves not only her skillset, but the growing talent within the Carpe Diem association.

 

Olivia Schauer

Olivia Schauer of Tony Passos Jiu-Jitsu captured the jiu-jitsu community’s attention in Japan. Olivia secured medium-heavyweight gold and open class silver medals in Japan. Through five matches, she captured four submission finishes and delivered constant action. The triumph marks Olivia’s second gold medal performance of the 2026 season, a campaign that follows an impressive 2025 season. Olivia has proven the ability to contend with the division’s top contenders, leading many to believe in her Grand Slam ability in the near future.

 

Camille Coué

A GF Team athlete secured the super-heavyweight title at the Asian Championships. Camille Coué returned to the IBJJF podium after a two year absence, again proving her skillset is befitting of a champion. Camille’s lone match ended with a beautiful and controlled armbar sequence to earn herself the biggest victory of her black belt career.