ADCC is the pinnacle of Submission Wrestling in our sport, and the South American trials have long been considered among the toughest roads to qualify for ADCC Worlds. This years crop of champions from South America is a lineup of athletes who should not only contend for gold in Las Vegas but dominate the sport for years to come.

I'm of the opinion that ADCC 2022 will be a changing of the guard, the young generation clashing with the veterans and taking control of the most prestigious no-gi tournament in the sport. Names like Mica Galvao, Fabricio Andrey, Roberto Jimenez and Diogo Reis will be problems for anyone they encounter in September.

I'll list here some of the athletes I think really impressed and raised their stock in Brazil last week. Like the rest of you, 0-0 matches make my eyes bleed and I'm heavily leaning on submission oriented athletes who not only win but put on a show while doing it.

Mica Galvao

We've long been hearing about the potential of teenager Micael Galvao, and in his first performance at ADCC trials he was nothing short of dominant. All submissions, spending less than five minutes of time on the mat through four submissions on his way to gold.

Solid wrestling, dangerous from top and bottom, and with an upper body submission game so precise it doesn't seem like it can be real. Mica has established himself as one of the favorites in a stacked 77kg division, and nobody would be surprised should he end up on the top of the podium in September.

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Roberto Jimenez

Roberto has had an up and down last 12 months, but when he is on he can beat anyone in the world. He showed up in Sao Paulo competing lighter than usual at 77 kg, but looked healthy and rejuvenated, firing non stop and submitting all but one opponent.

Roberto's wrestling transitions to the back were incredible, and using wrestling to end up on the back is one of the most common ways to score in ADCC. Roberto wasn't content with the points though, finishing at a high rate and looking better than ever.

Whether he has addressed the holes in his heel hook defense is still up in the air, but should he figure that out before September he know doubt can leave Las Vegas with an ADCC gold medal.

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Mayssa Bastos

Mayssa entered as the number one seed and no doubt the most skilled and accomplished competitor in her division. She is undersized at 60kg though, weighing in at 8 kg (17 lbs) under the weight limit.

Mayssa was dominant though, submitting three of four opponents with ease and punching her ticket to Las Vegas. Now the IBJJF, WNO and EBI champ finally has a chance to add the prestigious title of ADCC champion to her resume. If anyone can win 60 kg giving up a lot of weight, it is Mayssa.

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Fabricio Andrey

The Hokage first took 3rd in Balneario, losing to teammate Diogo Reis in the semis, before absolutely annihilating the field in Sao Paulo to earn his spot at ADCC. 8 submissions between the two tournaments, the most of anyone at South American trials, and Fabricio did it in style with nonstop highlight reel worthy subs at both events.

Fabricio's no-gi game was a question mark headed into trials, now those questions are answered. Like the rest of the Melqui Galvao crew from Manaus, his wrestling was on point, and his duck under to the back was lightning quick. He utilized a nice throw by too. A submission hunter, insane cardio, precise attacks and now what I consider to be one of the best wrestling skill sets in jiu-jitsu has Fabricio on the radar of everyone hoping to win 66 kg at ADCC.

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Gutemberg Pereira

A superstar at the colored belts, Gutemberg has kind of went AWOL from the elite tournaments over the last couple of years. If his performance in Sao Paulo is any indication, he hasn't missed a beat.

Gutemberg claims to have only trained two days for these trials, signing up after being impressed by Mica's performance in Balneario. It worked out great for him, getting all submissions to win the 99+ kg division. His leg lock game especially looked improved, three of his submissions were by heel hook.

Gutemberg has a good frame with long reach, always is on the attack and can play from top, bottom or on the feet. Assuming he spends more than two days training for Worlds in Las Vegas, expect Gutemberg to contend in the 99+ kg division in September.

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Diogo Reis

The "Baby Shark" is considered one of the best up and coming prospects in jiu-jitsu, but after dominating a stacked 66 kg division in Balneario, it is clear he has already arrived. Like his teammates Mica and Fabricio, his wrestling looked to be on another level compared to the competitors in his division.

Diogo is only 19 and should only get better from here. He will have to meet Fabricio in the quarters, but whoever comes out of that match should be one of if not the best wrestler left in the 66kg division.

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Magid Hage

New fans were like "who is this guy in a baggy t shirt wrecking dudes at ADCC trials?" Older fans were like "Wow I thought Magid was retired but he is better than ever." Whichever description you fall under, Magid's fan friendly style of nonstop attacks had him leaving Brazil as the "People's Champ" and overnight one of the most popular athletes in jiu-jitsu.

Utilizing an old school Marcelo Garcia type of game combined with a tricky half guard, Magid tapped 7 people in spectacular fashion, second only to Fabricio Andrey. His wrestling looked great too, and he heel hooked ADCC vet Servio Tulio.

Magid has one more shot at West Coast trials, he is 12-3 so far at the three trials he has done. Fans are screaming for an invite for "Gorilla Hands," proof that finishing on top of the podium won't always get you as many fans as having an exciting, attack oriented style of jiu-jitsu. Speaking of Marcelo Garcia, most of Magid's success was the result of a Marcelo style rapid fire method of attack during the no points period, when many athletes try to play it safe and conserve energy.

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