Guilherme Mendes

Biography Guilherme was born in Rio Claro, Brazil. Together with his brother Rafael Mendes, he began training jiu-jitsu in 2001, influenced by an older cousin, Thiago Mendes, who was a purple belt under Leonardo Santos at the time. Nicknamed "Gui," Guilherme is a prominent figure in the Atos Jiu-Jitsu team and one of the top competitors in the "featherweight" (64 kg) division in the sport’s history. In 2011, Guilherme showcased technical dominance by submitting Milton Carlos and Laercio Fernandes, defeating Samuel Braga in the semifinals and Ary Farias in the final to claim his second world title. In the same month, Tainan Dalpra was also promoted to black belt and went on to win the IBJJF World Championship in 2021. Other notable athletes trained at the academy include Johnatha Alves and brothers Tye and Kade Ruotolo, who trained at AOJ during their childhood.

The academy implemented an innovative model, inspired by established sports programs, with a structured curriculum that guides students from beginner to elite competitive levels. In 2015, the Mendes brothers created the "Believe & Achieve" scholarship program, providing financial support, housing, and training for promising young athletes such as Caio Antonini, Johnatha Alves, and Tainan Dalpra. This program has contributed to the development of world champions and solidified AOJ’s reputation as one of the most influential jiu-jitsu academies.