Youth World Championship & Trials FAQ (2025–2026 Season)

**open to eligible countries

Youth Invitations by Age Group

Boys, age 7-8

  • Rocco Mata Monks → Zenith Jiu Jitsu.
  • Matteo Ayres → Carlson Gracie Henderson.
  • Jacob Lucas Groom → ATOS HQ.
  • Jude Jabr → Pimenta Jiu Jitsu.
  • Blake Pizá → Gracie Barra Jupiter.
  • Leo The Lion Shakhnazarov → Ascension Athletics.
  • Odin Benavides → Old Testament Martial Arts
  • John Luke Hernandez → Diego Bispo BJJ.
  • Alexander Pilipenko → HEVA BJJ
  • Kyngston Goings → Cobrinha Henderson
  • Jonas Hanzely → On Guard Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
  • Ivan Gore → Simple Man Martial Arts
  • Samuel Hakobyan → Honor Roll Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
  • Taitoa Maiava Keahi Lafua → Cobrinha Henderson
  • Avram Meliksetian → Gracie Barra Roseville

Girls, age 7-8

  • Sariah The Last Panda → Alpha Miami Grappling.
  • Caeawen Adriano → Art of Jujitsu (AOJ).
  • Sophia Placencia → Wanderley Jiu Jitsu.
  • Salma Halum → Ground Control - PALM BEACH.
  • Anaiya Delatorre → Cobrinha BJJ Las Vegas.
  • Eliana Parker → Art of Jujitsu (AOJ).
  • Arabella "The Mesa Mauler" Costello → Gracie Barra Chandler.
  • Rene Taua → Cobrinha Henderson (SD ACADEMY).
  • Audrey Albritton → DRAGONS LAIR MMA.
  • Medusa Banegas → Art of Jujitsu (AOJ).
  • Violet Rothermel → Art of Jujitsu (AOJ).
  • Madison Winkler → Carlson Gracie Tucson.
  • Yaelle Gomez → Rilion Gracie Miami Lakes.
  • Madison Seaman → Barradas Jiu Jitsu.
  • Jianna Mari Sagala → Gracie Humaita South Bay.

Boys, age 9-10

  • Zakharii Paseniuk → Maxum BJJ.
  • Jacob Bagaygay → Lansang JiuJitsu.
  • Jason Simonski → Art of Jujitsu (AOJ).
  • Ryan Verges → Alpha Miami Grappling.
  • Jaxson Hollis → 10th Planet Las Vegas.
  • Jason Heck → 10th Planet Portland/Black Rose Jiu Jitsu.
  • Damian Arriola → Rilion Gracie Miami Lakes.
  • Colton Terlaje → Cobrinha Henderson (SD ACADEMY).
  • Lorenzo Marcos Godoy → Genesis Academy.
  • Davi Oliveira Barreto → Alliance Mooca.
  • Luis Joao Raupp Costa → Cave Bros.
  • Benjamin Sattis Franze → Projeto 220.
  • Yan Leandro Leandro → Pirâmide Grappling.
  • Aleksandr Karbanovich → Art of Jujitsu (AOJ).
  • Jonathan Ayala → Gracie humaita Valencia -Ca.
  • Lucca Antunes → Honor Roll Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
  • Grayson McKane → A1 Jiu Jitsu.
  • Ignacio Galavis → ATT BAGA.
  • Gabriel Myers → Diamond Grappling Academy.
  • Steven Ortiz → Art of Jujitsu (AOJ)
  • Cameron Garcia → Tiger Schulmann’s Jiu Jitsu.
  • Samwise Curtis → ON GUARD BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU.
  • Dominic Calabria → Notorious.
  • Zaion Estrela → Jimmygusmaobjj - nova união.

Girls, age 9-10

  • Herra Rose The Last Dragon → Alpha Miami Grappling.
  • Hudsyn Santiago → Method JJ.
  • Valentina Costa → Black Tie BJJ.
  • Avery Kent → Black Tie Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
  • Arabella brackett → Atos Jiu-Jitsu Las Vegas.
  • Vesper Ortega → Easton Training Center - Denver.
  • Victoria Bueno → Alliance / 10th Planet Oceanside.
  • Addy Allen → Millenia MMA.
  • Mercedes Banegas → Art of Jujitsu (AOJ).
  • Genesis Han → Kobo Studios.
  • Ocean Ramos → Strength and Honor MMA.
  • Elizabeth Valk → Alpha Miami Grappling.
  • Mia Morales → Fighting Chance Academy.
  • Cleo Brandao → Brandão Jiu Jitsu
  • Marina Santos → Pirâmide Grappling
  • Nickole Salem → Diego Bispo BJJ.
  • Ieva Kim → BAZA.
  • Alaina Farafontoff → Logic Jiu Jitsu Club.
  • Bailey Diaz → Peerless Jiu Jitsu Academy.
  • Lyla Edson Adams → Team Forsa.
  • Olivia "RAMBO" Manlangit→ Clayton Phillips JJ.
  • Sarah Rasia Posenatto → Genesis Academy.
  • Mariana Fernandes → EAT Jiu-Jitsu.
  • Kyara Giacometti → Cave Bros.

Boys, age 11-12

  • Levi Luck Uriah Cruz → Island Jiu Jitsu.
  • Frank Archibald → Simple Man.
  • Ian Mondragon → Art of Jujitsu (AOJ).
  • Makorogo Mugabi → Checkmat Daphne.
  • Gabriel Gama → New Journey Jiu-Jitsu.
  • Cole Kratky → Checkmat Olympus.
  • Lucas Rubio → Carlson Gracie Temecula.
  • Silas Sims → Grappling Development Academy.
  • Benjamin Myers → Diamond Grappling Academy.
  • Leonidas dos Santos → ALCATEIA-VTT.
  • Rocco James DePalmo → Lebre Jiu Jitsu.
  • Zac Shaffi → Art of Jujitsu (AOJ)
  • Maximus Cooperman → Alpha Miami Grappling
  • Ward Stevens → Global Martial Arts
  • Joao Lucas Bastos → Bruno Bastos Association
  • Gabriel Bastida → Genesis Academy
  • Carter Thomas → Alpha Miami Grappling.
  • Ivan Sobolev → Alpha Miami Grappling.
  • Armando Martinez → Kingsway Jiu Jitsu.
  • D’Awndre Sheehan → Diego Bispo BJJ.
  • Ayub Umar → Renato Tavares Association.
  • Vitor Morais Albernaz Crespo → Gracie Barra HQ Floripa.
  • Estevão Ristow Maia → ASTRA FIGHT TEAM-Brazil.
  • Nicolas Miguel Silva → Dream Art.

Girls, age 11-12

  • Hadley Elizabeth Weber → Art of Jujitsu (AOJ).
  • Mealow Petre → Art of Jujitsu (AOJ).
  • Kensley Osorno → Gracie Barra Jupiter.
  • Ella Desario → Rudis Jiu-jitsu.
  • Cyra Eskandari → Art of Jujitsu (AOJ).
  • Layla Gathogo → Checkmat Olympus.
  • Alexandria Kanis → 10th Planet Las Vegas.
  • Bailey Cerda Heinsohn → Art of Jujitsu (AOJ).
  • Sahara Wells → Art of Jujitsu (AOJ).
  • Cali Grounds → Bruno Bastos Jiu-Jitsu.
  • Dahlia Fontanilla → Diego Bispo BJJ
  • Thea White → Alpha Miami Grappling
  • Mia La Rosa → Notorious
  • Zoe Szura → Notorious
  • Maria Luiza Honorato → Jacare Martial Arts
  • Yasmin Campanha → Gracie Barra HQ Floripa
  • Bailey Smith → Alpha Miami Grappling.
  • Jarylett Alvarez → Inevat Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
  • Christiana Freeman → No team.
  • Diamond Juvera → Art of Jujitsu (AOJ).
  • Lorena Andretto → ÁGORA JIU-JITSU.
  • Rebeca Coutinho Duarte → Genesis Academy.
  • Yasmin Alves Campanha → GRACIE BARRA HQ FLORIPA.
  • Emanuelly Neiva → Projeto 220.
  • Maria Luíza Pereira Barbosa → Bruno Bastos Jiu-Jitsu.
  • Mariany Oliveira Loiola → Qatar Bjj Vision.

Boys, age 13-14

  • Caio Sainz → Alpha Miami Grappling.
  • Samuel Junco → Alpha Miami Grappling.
  • Perseus Cooperman → Alpha Miami Grappling.
  • Sage Cruz → Island Jiu Jitsu.
  • Nazarii Paseniuk → Maxum BJJ.
  • Andres Maldonado → Renzo Gracie Rockland.
  • Luke Fidler → Gracie Barra Chandler.
  • Paxton Holmes → Global Martial Arts.
  • Parker Young → Alpha Miami Grappling.
  • Caue Sa → Alpha Miami Grappling.
  • Kaya Anderson → Precision Jiu-Jitsu Academy.
  • Thomas DeLauro → Triumph Fight Academy.
  • Alexander Cardinal → Sampson Jiu Jitsu Academy.
  • Alexandre Moreno Baptista → Escola De La Riva de JJ.
  • Raylan Silva Ferreira → O Legado
  • Tyler Wahl → ODINS HALLS BJJ.
  • Daniel Gomes Costa Barbosa → Projeto 220.
  • Ícaro Moreno → Art of Jujitsu (AOJ).
  • Moises MARRA → Six Blades Fort Worth.
  • Edward Jiren Rivero → Alpha Miami Grappling.
  • Marcos Murilo De Souza Vidal → White House jiu-jitsu school.
  • Miguel Trator Ribeiro → Project 220.
  • Lincoln Costello → On Guard Bazilian Jiu Jitsu.
  • Kenneth Fontanilla → Diego Bispo BJJ.

Girls, age 13-14

  • Joslyn Molina → Kingsway .
  • Zuleyma Ruiz Ponce → Dream Art San Antonio.
  • Adley Hoffmann → 10th Planet Freaks.
  • Cassandra Gallegos → Alliance BJJ South Bay.
  • Sky Ramos → Strength and Honor MMA.
  • Nicole Mojica → On Guard BJJ.
  • Sufina Grajo → Renzo Gracie Warwick.
  • Aaliyah Rangel → Trujitsu.
  • Annelize Silva → Genesis BJJ.
  • Chloe Cooper → Siri Brazilian Jiu Jitsu - Pasco.
  • Malia Bunyan → Island Jiu Jitsu.
  • Annalise Gale → Dallas O'Regan BJJ.
  • Alana Kekoa'e Garcia → Grappling Development Academy
  • Charlotte Kleintank → Unaffiliated
  • Natalia Saint Thomas → Renzo Gracie San Antonio
  • Lorena Bastos De Lima → GFTEAM
  • Maria Eduarda Medeiros Anraku → Team Alpha BJJ
  • Camilla Stone → Renato Tavares association.
  • Ariel Romero → Grappling Dynamics.
  • Rosie Carrillo → Standard Jiu Jitsu.
  • Juliett morales → V.R.M.A / Fight Sports.
  • Alice Medeiros Antunes → Cave Bros.
  • Layla Esguerra → Diamond Grappling Academy.
  • Aria Van Den Bossche → .
  • Mila Noda → .

Boys, age 15-17

  • Micah Kobe Caliboso → 10th Planet Las Vegas.
  • Nakoa Navarro → 10th Planet Las Vegas.
  • Carlos Sainz → Alpha Miami Grappling.
  • Mykoda Phoenix Hummel → 10th Planet South Bay.
  • James Comerford → Precision jiu jitsu.
  • Matthew Velez → Prodigy Jiu Jitsu.
  • James Ortiz → Simple Man.
  • Sidney Katz → Alpha Miami Grappling.
  • Mateo Martinez → Alpha Miami Grappling.
  • Makana Godwin → Marcio Andre Jiu Jitsu Academy.
  • Xavier Torres → Lebre Jujitsu Academy.
  • Connor Stallmer → Simple Man Martial Arts.
  • Asher Moore → Alameda Jiu Jitsu
  • Shawn Ray Estrada Jr → Alpha Miami Grappling
  • Gabriel Andrade Monteiro → ÁGORA JIU-JITSU.
  • Isaque Lima → ESCOLA MELQUI GALVÃO
  • Caua Dias Maillet → CESAR MAILLET TEAM
  • Marco Miranda → Renzo Gracie Warwick.
  • Nicholas Nakanishi → Gracie Barra La Canada Flintridge.
  • Saverio Loria → 10th Planet Vancouver.
  • William Potter IV → Shark Pit BJJ.
  • Giammaria Giordano → Notorious MMA.
  • Arthur Santos De Azevedo → Caveirinha Jiu jitsu Family.
  • Joao Freitas → ÁGORA JIU-JITSU.

Girls, age 15-17

  • Anabella Junco → Alpha Miami Grappling.
  • Kaloni Elvis-Marie Brown → Alpha Miami Grappling.
  • Analia Diaz → Fight Sports Club.
  • Verona Pesce → Atos ATL.
  • Maya Padilla → Bastos BJJ.
  • Deborah Melo → Atos ATL.
  • Kailani Hasenauer → Renato Tavares association.
  • Zoe Freeman → Renzo Gracie San Antonio.
  • Cassidy Lee Hartman → Pedigo Submission Fighting.
  • Landrie Sparkle Joseph → Corvo Martial Arts.
  • Audrina Delbosque → GFTeam San Antonio
  • Mila Martorano → 10th Planet Dallas
  • Alice Danielly Alexandre Silva → The witcher jiu-jitsu
  • Luiza Macedo Dos Santos → ATOS
  • Charley Caballero → Gracie Barra Chandler.
  • Gianna Cruz → Essential Jiu Jitsu.
  • Beatriz Rodrigues → JFC Almeida JJ
  • Vera Harshe → Marcio Andre Jiu-Jitsu Academy.
  • Nichole "The Female Titan" Weaver → 10 Planet Las Vegas.
  • Marley Felipe → Main Quest.
  • Geovanna Oliveira → Pirâmide Grappling.
  • Emily Nacimento Santos → Alliance Mooca.
  • Madison Morales → .
  • Vada McCubbin → .

Qualifying for Youth Worlds 2026 (August 2026; exact date TBD)

Q: How many people qualify?

A: Overall, 24 kids per age group (and per gender) will qualify for Youth Worlds

  • 11 spots from Trials: 8 from the US trials (4 from West Coast and 4 from East Coast) and 3 from the Brazil trials.
  • Remaining spots are from the points from competing in advanced divisions and winning a bronze, silver or gold.
  • For age group 7-8 there will be a maximum of 16 competitors, there will be no trials for this age group and
    invites are based solely on points.

Q: What is an “early invite”?

A: Early invites are given to athletes who are significantly ahead in points (at the time of the early invites). If your child did not receive an early invite, it simply means they are still in range with other athletes and will remain eligible through Opens until April 2026.

Youth Trials

Q: How will invites work for Brazilian kids divisions?

A: Invites will be issued only for athletes aged 9 and above. Indaiatuba Youth Trials winners (gold medalists) will receive invites, and additional invites will be awarded based on points in Brazil opens.

Q: When are the Youth Trials?

A: Two U.S. Trials: East Coast (Orlando, Nov 2025) and West Coast (TBD). There will be 1 Brazil Trial in Sao Paulo March 2026. dates are in March.

Q: When are weigh-ins for Trials?

A: Weigh-ins will take place Thursday evening, the day before the Open begins.

Q: Is there an absolute?

A: Yes, there will be two absolute divisions per age group (for 9+), meaning there are 16 total absolute divisions

Q: Who can compete in the Youth Trials?

A: Athletes ages 9 and up are eligible. There are no trials for kids 8 years old and under.

Q: Can I do more than one division at Trials?

A: No. You may only register for one bracket per Trials event. You cannot enter multiple age groups or weight classes. However, if eligible by belt, you may also compete in an adult or intermediate division.

Q: Can I compete in the Kids’and Adult Trials?

A: Yes.

Q: What if I receive an early invite? Can I still do the Trials?

A: No. Early invitees are removed from Youth Trials to allow others the opportunity to qualify.

 Q: How should I choose my weight class for Trials?

A: Register for the weight you can make at the time of Trials, not the weight you expect to be by Youth Worlds. Final Youth Worlds weight classes will be set based on the invited athletes.

Q: How many competitors are allowed per division in Kids’ Trials?

A: Youth Trials divisions are capped at 32
competitors per weight class.

Q: If I am a girl under 12, can I compete in the boys’ division of youth trials?

A: No, regardless of age, girls must compete in the girls’ divisions

Q: Are there any pre requisites to enter Youth Trials?

A: No

Q: Who can do the Brazilian Trials?

A: Only those who qualify for “South American Citizenship” in accordance with this list: https://adcombat.com/adcc-rules-regulations/regions-for-adcc-trials/

Q: Who can do the US trials?

A: Anyone is eligible

Q: Is there an allowance for kids’ trials?

A: Yes, there is a 0.5kg allowance, however, if you do not make weight and the next weight class up is full, you will be DQ’d. Kids will only be bumped up for Trials if there is a spot in the next weight up. No one will be bumped up in age.

Q: Are there day of weigh-ins for kids’ trials?

A: Yes, 6 am on Friday (the day of the event). If you are not weighed in by 6:15 am on the day of the event, you will be removed.

Q: Are the youth trials during the open on Friday or on Sat/Sun with the adult trials?

A: the youth trials are specific divisions, during the open on Friday, before the adult trials

Worlds Logistics

Q: How are weight classes determined for Youth Worlds?

A: They are not preset. Classes will be created based on the anticipated weights of invited athletes. The number of competitors per weight division (at worlds) may vary by weight distribution.

Q: What if I turn 18 before the Youth Worlds in August 2026?

A: If you are 18 by the time of Youth Worlds (August 2026, exact date TBD), you may not compete in Youth Trials or qualify for Youth Worlds. (Example: if you were born August 1st, 2008, you will turn
18 before the event).

Q: If I am a girl under 12, can I compete in the boys’ division of Worlds?

A: No, regardless of age, girls must compete in the girls’ divisions (and your age group at the time of Worlds).

Points & Rankings

Q: How are points considered for invites?

A: Youth competitors are awarded points for bronze, silver and gold in the advanced divisions in the ADCC U.S. and Brazil Opens (Jan 2025–Apr 2026).

Q: Why don’t Smoothcomp’s rankings match the invites?

A: The ranking lists on Smoothcomp (divided by age group) only list medals earned within that one age group. ADCC considers all Advanced medals across youth divisions, so an athlete may rank lower on Smoothcomp but be a top contender in ADCC’s list.

Q: Do Canada’s or Mexico’s points count?

A: Canadian and Mexican Opens don’t count directly but are considered as x-factors (to be used as tie breakers, a common occurrence). Adult points are not counted directly either, but may be used as tiebreakers as
well.

Q: Can girls compete in boys’ divisions at the opens? Do these points count?

A: Girls 12 years old and under may compete in Boys’ divisions. If it’s an Advanced division, these results will also count toward rankings.

Q: Do my points in higher age groups count?

A: Yes, any points in advanced divisions <18 count towards the ranking.

Q: What happens if a Youth Competitor moves into another age group during the season (e.g. turns 9 and moves up to 9-10)? Are their points carried over?

A: Yes, all points earned in advanced divisions (regardless of age group) are considered and carried over.