The achievements of Mica Galvão

The achievements of Mica Galvão in 2024 were nothing short of extraordinary. At just 21 years old, he became only the second athlete in history to win the Super Grand Slam, a feat that involves claiming titles at the four major IBJJF events in the same year and securing an ADCC World Championship. This accomplishment made him the youngest athlete ever to achieve such a milestone.

Before Mica, the only other athlete to accomplish this was Rubens 'Cobrinha' Charles in 2017. Remarkably, Mica’s journey began with a late entry to the 2024 European Championship in January. Competing in the middleweight division, he submitted all four of his opponents, including notable names like Tarik Hopstock and Andy Murasaki. His armbar finish in the final against Murasaki brought the crowd to its feet and marked his first official black belt title.

This victory held particular significance for Mica, as he had been stripped of his 2022 World Championship title due to a doping violation. At the time, he had been the youngest black belt world champion, but the title and record were handed to Tye Ruotolo. The setback appeared to fuel Mica's determination to prove himself in 2024.

Following his European triumph, Mica declared his intent to leave a lasting legacy, comparing the significance of his year to icons like Elvis Presley. His father and coach, Melqui Galvão, revealed that Mica had trained with Cobrinha as a teenager, witnessing firsthand the preparation and dedication required for such monumental achievements.

At the IBJJF Pan Championships in March, Mica faced adversity, sustaining a severe foot injury in his opening match. Despite this, he powered through the tournament, winning two of his next three matches by submission and securing another victory over Andy Murasaki to claim the middleweight title.

In April, Mica competed at the Brasileiro for the first time as a black belt. Overwhelmed by fans’ enthusiasm, he even disguised himself to reach the weigh-ins. Once on the mat, he delivered dazzling performances, submitting all three opponents with his signature creative movements.

Mica’s return to the Walter Pyramid for the IBJJF World Championships was equally impressive. On the first day, he submitted three opponents. The second day brought tragic news of a close friend’s passing, but Mica channeled his emotions to secure two points victories, including a narrow win against Pedro Maia and another intense final against Murasaki.

With his Grand Slam complete, Mica shifted focus to the ADCC World Championships. Having lost the 2022 final to Kade Ruotolo, he was eager to redeem himself. Over two days, he defeated Luiz Paulo, Oliver Taza, PJ Barch, and Vagner Rocha to win gold and complete the Super Grand Slam.

The significance of this accomplishment cannot be overstated. Beyond the Super Grand Slam, only a handful of athletes have managed a year-long Grand Slam in IBJJF events, and Mica stands out for achieving these milestones so early in his black belt career. Unlike Cobrinha, who completed his Super Grand Slam at the end of his competitive career, Mica’s triumph came at the very start, showcasing his dominance with 15 submission wins in 20 matches during the year.

Mica’s 2024 season also included additional superfights and ADCC absolute matches, further cementing his reputation as one of the sport’s brightest stars. His success has set the stage for a promising future, with plans to bulk up to compete in heavier divisions and maintain his presence in the absolute category.

As jiu-jitsu history looks back on 2024, it will remember Mica Galvão’s mind-bending performances, record-breaking achievements, and the undeniable statement he made: he is destined to be one of the greatest jiu-jitsu athletes of all time.