With solid wrestling, smart strategy, and an unbreakable will Jonathan “JT” Torres stormed to his second straight ADCC 77kg gold medal in Anaheim, CA.

Torres joined a select group of American grapplers to win a second ADCC World Championship gold medal. He had to overcome a serious of ever-tougher opponents in European Trials winner Ross Nichols, no-gi World champion DJ Jackson, Garry Tonon, and the 2017 bronze medalist Vagner Rocha in the final. 

Tonon and Rocha are known for being wily competitors who employ very different tactics to get in their opponents’ heads. Torres seemed invulnerable to Vagner’s trademark style of violent jiu-jitsu and Tonon’s theatrics and acrobatic style, sticking to his guns in both matches: wrestle first, get the points, take the back where possible. 

There’s already talk of Torres coming back in 2021 for a three-peat. The Atos rep turned 30 this year but has never looked better. 

With his own gym Essential Jiu-Jitsu in Westchester, NY, and an eye on competing in both gi and no-gi tournaments, Torres has matured into one of the most successful American grapplers of the modern era — and he’s not done yet. 

“Back-to-back titles is an amazing feat," he said. "I don’t think anyone has come back to defend the title since Marcelo’s run. I think I’m the only one in recent years. I put in a lot of work and surrounded myself with the right people. I couldn’t have done it without them.” 

Unlock this video, live events, and more with a subscription!

Sign Up

Already a subscriber? Log In

WATCH: 

Elimination: Jonathan Torres vs Ross Nichols 

Quarterfinal: Jonathan Torres vs Dj Jackson 

Semifinal: Jonathan Torres vs Garry Tonon 

Final: Jonathan Torres vs Vagner Rocha