After a few exciting days in the pyramid, the 2024 IBJJF World Championships have come to an end. The coloured belts had us at the edge of our seats before the black belts even started but once we marched into day three and four they sure delivered, too. Take a look at the black belt athletes that blew us away this weekend.

Meyram Maquine Alves

The Brazilian from Manaus had previously competed and medaled in the light featherweight division. This year, he chose to enter what is arguably the toughest division of the entire tournament: the featherweight division. Moving up proved to be the right decision because this year he not only secured the gold but then made a statement in the open class as the first featherweight athlete to medal since Royler Gracie did so in 1997.

Adam Wardzinski

This weekend, the Polish heavyweight earned the first world title for his country. He submitted all four of his opponents and showed off his trademark butterfly sweeps on the way to the top of the podium.

Mica Galvao

Meanwhile in the lightweight division, Mica Galvao submitted three out of his five opponents and earned his first Grand Slam at black belt, winning this year's Europeans, Pans, Brasileiros and Worlds.

Gabrieli Pessanha

Gabrieli looked unstoppable this weekend and that is exactly how we know her. Winning double gold she is now an eight time world champion and all of these titles have been secured consecutively. That marks a new record in the sport and crowns her as the most dominant female gi athlete of our time.

All Black Belt Champions

Male Rooster: Bebeto Oliveira
Male Light Feather: Diego Pato Oliveira (AOJ)
Male Feather: Meyram Maquine Alves (Fratres)
Male Light: Mica Galvao (Escola Melqui Galvao)
Male Middle: Jackson Nagai (Checkmat)
Male Medium Heavy: Gustavo Batista (Atos)
Male Heavy: Adam Wardzinski (Checkmat)
Male Super Heavy: Anderson Munis (Fratres)
Male Ultra Heavy: Yatan Bueno (Fratres)
Male Open: Erich Munis (Fratres)

Female Rooster: Mayssa Bastos (AOJ)
Female Light Feather: Thamires Aquino (GFT)
Female Feather: Nathalie Ribeiro (Checkmat)
Female Light: Luiza Monteiro (Atos)
Female Middle: Andressa Cintra (Gracie Barra)
Female Medium Heavy: Thamara Ferreira (Fratres)
Female Heavy: Tamiris Silva (Dream Art)
Female Super Heavy: Gabrieli Pessanha (InFight)
Female Open: Gabrieli Pessanha (InFight)

Notable Upsets

A few moments had us shocked this weekend. Not only did last year's roosterweight champion Thalison Soares lose via decision in the first round, but so did Cole Abate, in his case by an advantage in the featherweight division. Meanwhile, Tainan Dalpra was disqualified in one of the more controversial moments of the tournament. The female divisions, on the other hand, saw the favourites raise to the top and take home the gold. With a few new black belts after notable wins in the brown belt divisions, there will be new kids on the block next year. Until then, we'll keep training hard!