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João Miyao is a Brazilian black belt from Andirá, Paraná, and one half of the Miyao twins, alongside Paulo Miyao. Trained by Cicero Costha in São Paulo, he won the IBJJF Worlds in 2019 and the No-Gi Worlds four times. His guard game is built on the berimbolo.

Background and lineage

The twins are third-generation Japanese-Brazilians. João did judo before starting jiu-jitsu at 16 under Adriano Carvalho, then moved to São Paulo to train full time at Cicero Costha's social project, Projeto Social Lutando Pelo Bem (PSLPB). He won IBJJF World titles at purple belt (2011 and 2012) and brown belt (2013), and the brothers received their black belts together on 25 June 2013. Their lineage runs from Costha through Marco Barbosa and Marcelo Behring to Rickson Gracie, the same line as Leandro Lo. They later competed for Unity Jiu Jitsu in New York and in 2023 opened their own academy, Studio 1908.

Competition highlights

  • IBJJF World Championship: gold in 2019, after silvers in 2014, 2015 and 2017 and bronze in 2018.
  • IBJJF World No-Gi: gold in 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2019.
  • IBJJF Pans: five straight black belt titles from 2014 to 2018, plus Pan No-Gi titles in 2015 and 2018.
  • Other: European Open titles in 2014, 2018 and 2019, the 2014 Brazilian Nationals, Abu Dhabi World Pro gold in 2018, and Grand Slam wins in Rio, Los Angeles and Abu Dhabi.

Wikipedia records his nickname, the "BJJ marathon man", and notes that he often enters absolute divisions and submission-only events such as EBI. It also notes severe shoulder injuries and finger deformities.

Style and signature techniques

BJJ Heroes names the berimbolo as his favourite technique, and Wikipedia describes a dynamic modern guard. His record shows where it leads: chokes from back control (49), armbars (15) and rear naked chokes (15) are his top finishes. His guard was so hard to pass that, according to Wikipedia, Gabriel Moraes's pass at the 2017 Europeans was the first he had conceded in three years at the top level. BJJ Heroes records no submission losses.

Notable matches

  • ADCC 2013: a calf slicer on Mark Ramos and a heel hook on Ricardo Vieira before a semi-final loss to Rafael Mendes.
  • Bruno Malfacine, Worlds 2014 final: a referee decision loss in the final.
  • Mikey Musumeci: several losses, including the 2017 world final.
  • Gabriel Moraes, Pans 2016 final: a 2–0 win.

Major Titles & Notes

IBJJF World Champion (2019)IBJJF World No-Gi Champion (2015, 2017, 2018, 2019)5× IBJJF Pan Champion (2014–2018)IBJJF European Open Champion (2014, 2018, 2019)CBJJ Brazilian National Champion (2014)Abu Dhabi Grand Slam and World Pro titles (2015–2019)

Signature Techniques

BerimboloBack controlArmbarRear naked choke

Related Techniques

BerimboloBerimbolo to BackDe La Riva GuardBack ControlArmbarRear Naked ChokeCalf SlicerHeel Hook

Fight History

OpponentResultMethodEventDivisionStageDateSource
Mikey MusumeciLoss—IBJJF World Championship—Final2017Source
Gabriel MoraesWinPoints (2-0)IBJJF Pan Championship—Final2016Source
Bruno MalfacineLossReferee decisionIBJJF World Championship—Final2014Source
Rafael MendesLossPoints (0-2)ADCC World Championship—Semi-final2013Source
Ricardo VieiraWinSubmission (heel hook)ADCC World Championship——2013Source

Frequently Asked Questions

What is João Miyao's record?

When we checked in October 2026, BJJ Heroes listed 227 wins and 24 losses for João Miyao, with 115 wins (51%) by submission and no submission losses. Chokes from the back (49) are his most common finish.

How old is João Miyao?

João Miyao and his twin brother Paulo were born on 11 May 1991 in Andirá, Paraná, Brazil, according to Wikipedia and BJJ Heroes.

What team is João Miyao on?

He came up at Cicero Costha's social project, PSLPB, in São Paulo and competed for Unity Jiu Jitsu in New York. In 2023 he and Paulo opened their own academy, Studio 1908.

What belt is João Miyao?

He is a black belt under Cicero Costha, promoted together with Paulo on 25 June 2013.

Are João and Paulo Miyao twins?

Yes. BJJ Heroes and Wikipedia both describe them as twins born on the same day in Andirá. They are third-generation Japanese-Brazilians and trained together at Cicero Costha's PSLPB project before opening Studio 1908.

Sources