Fellipe Andrew Leandro Silva, representing AOJ, continued his impressive run by securing a gold medal in the Heavy division at the Orange County Fall International Open IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship on October 24, 2026. Andrew, an elite black belt with an Elo rating of 1829 and ranked #33 in the world, consistently demonstrates why he is considered among the top competitors globally, adding another significant title to his extensive resume.
Andrew's Path to Gold
Andrew navigated a competitive, albeit small, Heavyweight bracket, winning two matches on his path to the top of the podium. His journey began in the semi-final, where he faced Dory Raymond Aoun of Lucas Leite Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Andrew secured the victory over Aoun, an opponent ranked #2389 globally, marking a routine win for the highly-rated competitor. This set the stage for the final, where Andrew was pitted against Samir Abdol Kader from Carlson Gracie Henderson. Andrew once again demonstrated his superior technique and strategic approach, defeating Kader, who holds a global rank of #2133, to decisively claim the gold medal.
These victories underscore Andrew's consistent performance at the elite level, regardless of the event size. With an astounding 96 career gold medals from a total of 124 medals, his presence on any podium is a testament to his enduring skill, dedication, and competitive drive. His recent successes also include Heavy division golds at the prestigious World Master 2026 and the San Diego Summer 2026, further solidifying his status as one of the sport's most formidable heavyweights and a consistent threat in any bracket he enters.
Dias de Almeida Dominates Super Heavy
Larissa Dias de Almeida of Elementum Jiu Jitsu also made her mark on the IBJJF circuit, claiming gold in the Super Heavy division at the Ft. Lauderdale 2026 event on October 17, 2026. Dias de Almeida, ranked #54 globally with an Elo rating of 1754, showcased her formidable prowess in a division that saw her secure gold with a single, decisive victory, highlighting her ability to perform under pressure even in compact fields.
While Dias de Almeida also competed in the Open Class division at the same event, her primary focus culminated in the Super Heavy gold. In the Open Class, she demonstrated her versatility by defeating an unrated opponent, Thaina Wisniewski de Freitas, before ultimately falling to another unrated competitor, Iris Nascimento da Costa Feliz. Despite not achieving double gold, her performance in the Super Heavy division was more than enough to earn her the top spot, further cementing her reputation as a dominant force.
This latest triumph further enhances Dias de Almeida's remarkable career statistics, which include an astounding 104 career gold medals from 116 total medals. Her consistent ability to reach the podium and secure titles is a hallmark of her career, reflecting years of dedicated training and competitive excellence. Her recent string of victories highlights her sustained success, with multiple golds at the Ft. Lauderdale No-Gi 2026 (both Open Class and Super Heavy), the New York Summer 2026 (Super Heavy and Open Class), and an Open Class gold at the Orlando Summer 2026. These results firmly establish her as a dominant and consistent force in the women's black belt divisions, a true testament to her enduring skill.
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