Blue belt João Victor “Bolinho” Nascimento dominated at the 2023 Brasileiros, winning double gold in an impressive field of up-and-coming grappling athletes. With seven fights, seven victories, and five submissions on the day, DreamArt’s Bolinho cemented himself on everyone’s radar just weeks before the 2023 World Championships.

The hulking ultra-heavyweight rode a style of strong takedowns and top work to his double gold wins, with a crafty display of foot sweeps, big throws and mat returns, and heavy top pressure proving to be enough for the top of the podium. 

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Bolinho opened the day with four fights in his division to win gold, including three dominant submission victories to reach the finals in his weight class (each achieved with different submissions). Bolinho did face adversity for gold, getting scored on early by opponent Thierry Felipe Alves Lima and needing to reverse a crucial throw attempt for his own points - before eventually scoring the win with a gi choke.

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In the open class, Bolinho began in the quarter-finals against lightweight silver medalist Emerson Victor Ferreira Feitosa, who actually gave the ultra-heavyweight Bolinho his closest match of the day - with Joao winning by only an advantage he had to grind for with an over-under pass.

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Once into the medal rounds though, Joao finished off his conquering campaign with another submission win over Thierry, before the finals where he faced off with the super-heavyweight runner-up Jonathas Matheus Miranda. After a back-and-forth contest, Bolinho ultimately prevailed 9-2 - nearly scoring an armlock at the buzzer to stamp his victory.

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What will the 2023 World Championships hold for João Victor “Bolinho” Nascimento? Can he continue his path and emerge as one of Brazilian jiu-jitsu’s next stars? Tune in live to FloGrappling for the exclusive live event June 1-4.