Claudio Calasans: A Milestone No One Else Has Hit

Claudio Calasans, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu veteran known for his unshakable guard and tenacious top game, has just walked into a rarefied space in martial arts history. As of November 2025, he is the first competitor ever to claim world-championship titles in the three pillars of grappling and judo: the ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship (No-Gi submission grappling), the IBJJF World Jiu‑Jitsu Championship (Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu), and now a Judo Masters/World title in the veteran division.

That alone would be headline-worthy. What makes it even more notable: Calasans returned to competitive judo nearly 16 years after stepping away, and still managed to conquer a field of international masters in the 40-44 year age bracket and under 81 kg.

The Career Snapshot

• In 2015, Calasans took gold at the ADCC Absolute division — arguably the most brutal open-weight tournament in submission grappling. 
• That same year he captured the IBJJF World Championship at black belt level. 
• In 2025, representing his judo roots, Calasans entered the World Masters Judo Championships and claimed gold in the veteran division under 81 kg, defeating six opponents from six countries.

His wins span gi grappling, no-gi submission art, and traditional Olympic-style judo. Each discipline demands distinct rules, strategies, and physical demands — and Calasans mastered them all.

Why This Matters For the Grappling World

• Cross-discipline mastery: In an era where athletes specialize intensely (gi vs no-gi, judo vs wrestling vs BJJ), Calasans’s feat breaks that mold. He proves that a genuine martial-arts foundation can translate across formats.
• Legacy and inspiration: For every young grappler who wonders whether they need to pick a lane, Calasans stands as an example: build your base, train broadly, evolve with the sport.
• Elevating judo’s relevance: His judo success reminds us that throws, balance, grip-fighting — the ground work might get most of the attention these days, but the stand-up transition still matters big time.
• New benchmark for greatness: With this triple-crown in hand, the bar has been reset. Future greats will be measured against not just titles won, but titles across domains.

“I started judo at age three… I always had the curiosity to compete internationally in judo again. Now I had the chance and I’m grateful.”

— Calasans, reflecting on his gold medal run in judo.

What to Watch Next

At 42 years old and still competing at a high level, Calasans is far from done. Will he return to ADCC or another submission-only event and chase further dual-discipline titles? Will his judo resurgence spark more grapplers to return to their roots? Either way, his journey is far from over — and the ripples will be felt for years.

Key Career Triumphs

• ADCC 2015 Absolute: Gold 🥇
• IBJJF World Championship 2015 (Black Belt): Gold 🥇
• Judo World Masters (40-44 Division, under 81kg) 2025: Gold 🥇

Claudio Calasans didn’t just win tournaments. He bound together three worlds of grappling into one legacy. Well done Caludio! 👊🏻