The winners' podiums at No-Gi Worlds was summited by athletes of all ages, but analysis of the age of the champions shows an increased number of younger athletes taking gold. 

In fact, the average age of male champions is the lowest it has been in years, pointing to an increase in champion material among younger black belt athletes. 

Average age of champions is dropping 

There were 16 men and women crowned 2018 World No-Gi Champion, with the average age of the male gold medalists being 25.5 years old, and the women 26 years old. 

For the male athletes, that's the lowest average age since 2014 (av. age 26.6 years old). 

In 2018 no less than SIX of the champs (both sexes) were under the age of 25. Eight were under the age of 30 and only two were over 30. 

The youngest and oldest champions

The youngest champion was Kaynan Duarte (pictured top) of Atos at 20 years of age (birthdate January 24, 1998, exact age 20 years 10 months 19 days at time of winning). 

The oldest champion was Josh Hinger, also of Atos, at 36 (birthdate May 28, 1982, exact age 36 years, 6 months and 19 days at the time of winning). 

In the women's divisions, the youngest champion was Mayssa Bastos (21). The oldest was Luanna Alzuguir (33). 

Of the 16 champions, only two champions were over the age of 30: Luanna Alzuguir (33) and Josh Hinger (36). 

The numbers

There were six champions (seven titles) under the age of 25: 

• Kaynan Duarte, 20, super-heavyweight 
• Kennedy Maciel, 21, featherweight 
• Mayssa Bastos, 21, light-featherweight 
• Nathiely de Jesus, 22, heavyweight 
• Ffion Davies, 23, featherweight 
• Gordon Ryan, 23 ultra-heavyweight and absolute

There were more 27-year-old champions (four champions, five titles) than any other age. 

• Nobuhiro Sawada, 27, roosterweight 
• Joao Miyao, 27, light-featherweight 
• Tim Spriggs, 27, heavyweight 
• Beatriz Mesquita, 27, middleweight and absolute 

Take a look at the data below....

Age of 2018 Champions

Blue: Male, Red: Female