Andre Galvao faces allegations of sexual harassment from former pupil Alexa Herse, who skilled beneath him since childhood. The accusations have triggered a mass exodus from Atos Jiu-Jitsu, with high-profile athletes and associates severing ties. Atos HQ has since separated Galvao and his spouse, Angelica, from all organizational roles pending a third-party investigation, whereas Galvao denies the allegations.
Andre Galvao Allegations
Alexa Herse, an 18-year-old who skilled at Atos since childhood, launched an announcement on social media outlining her accusations towards Galvao. Herse described a sample of habits she skilled over a six-month interval.
“Within the final six months, I’ve felt very uncomfortable on a number of events attributable to Andre Galvao. He touched me inappropriately throughout coaching,” Herse wrote. “He made steady remarks about my physique and look. Throughout coaching, he would separate me from my chosen accomplice, ship them to another person, and demand that I practice with him. He made moaning sounds in my ear whereas he was on prime of me. On one other event, when he was very near my head, he licked my ear.”
Herse stated she has filed a report with native regulation enforcement and urged different victims to return ahead. “I do know I’m not the one one affected. To the opposite women, I hope this empowers you to return ahead,” she wrote.
In her assertion, Herse additionally accused Galvao’s spouse, Angelica Galvao, of making an attempt to silence her when she raised issues internally. “She informed me to not say something and informed me that if it’s incorrect, you need to at the very least act prefer it’s proper. And don’t chew the hand that feeds you,” Herse claimed.
Galvao’s Response
Andre Galvao launched a statement on February 1, 2026, denying the allegations. “In latest days, false rumors have emerged on-line suggesting inappropriate habits with feminine college students. These claims are false, and we’re taking acceptable authorized measures to safeguard the integrity of ATOS,” he said.
Galvao steered the accusations stemmed from a “private vendetta” associated to “latest administrative and monetary adjustments” inside Atos. He asserted that the person behind the claims ought to specific gratitude for the alternatives offered by the group.
“Our coaching space is monitored by workers, college students, and cameras, and we now have at all times strived to keep up a secure, respectful, and clear surroundings,” Galvao claimed in his assertion, which was posted with feedback disabled.
Mass Departure from Atos
The allegations triggered a big exodus from Atos, with distinguished athletes, coaches, and affiliate gyms severing ties. The departures reportedly started earlier than the allegations grew to become public, suggesting inner discussions had taken place.
Athletes reported to have left embody Andy Murasaki, Rafaela Guedes (ADCC champion), Rafael Silveira, and Bruno Frazatto. Lucas Pinheiro, a two-time world champion from Atos, introduced his departure after talking with trusted group members who corroborated the accusations.
“At this time has been one of the difficult days of my life,” Pinheiro wrote. “Anybody who has adopted my profession is aware of how proud I’ve at all times been to symbolize Atos Jiu-Jitsu and the way a lot respect I held for Professor André Galvão. This makes this second much more painful.”
JT Torres, a two-time ADCC champion, introduced that his Important Jiu-Jitsu academy would finish its affiliation with Atos. “As a coach and chief, offering and sustaining a secure surroundings just isn’t optionally available; that very same duty extends to each one that steps onto the mats,” Torres said.
Atos Separates the Galvao
On February 3, 2026, Atos Jiu-Jitsu HQ launched an official statement saying the speedy and indefinite separation of each Andre and Angelica Galvao from all roles throughout the group.
“This resolution was made in the very best curiosity of our college students, associates and the broader ATOS neighborhood and displays our dedication to upholding the best requirements of professionalism, integrity and accountability,” the assertion learn. The group said it will have interaction a 3rd social gathering to research the allegations.
Trade Response
Reigning ADCC double champion Adele Fornarino, who had been related to Atos, selected to not symbolize the group at Polaris 35 on January 31, 2026. She wore a shirt studying “We Don’t Roll Like That” and known as for reform inside jiu-jitsu’s hierarchical construction.
Polaris champion Levi Jones-Leary supported Fornarino’s sentiments, condemning abusers throughout the neighborhood and stating, “you’re not secure anymore.”
Distinguished coach Lachlan Giles additionally weighed in: “I’m unsure if the scenario has worsened or if it’s merely being uncovered extra, however there’s a critical problem within the sport regarding people in authority abusing their college students.
The Worldwide Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation issued an announcement following the allegations, outlining present protocols, together with obligatory SafeSport certification for all black belts in search of certificates or diploma renewal. The coaching program focuses on figuring out, stopping, and reporting inappropriate habits.
A number of San Diego BJJ gyms have provided free coaching to former Atos members following the group’s upheaval.
Galvao’s Profession
Andre Galvao, 43, is likely one of the most completed rivals in BJJ historical past, having received six ADCC world championships (together with 4 ADCC superfight titles) and 6 IBJJF world championships. He based Atos Jiu-Jitsu, which grew to incorporate almost 100 affiliated gyms worldwide and produced quite a few world champions.
Galvao’s final competitors was in 2022, when he misplaced his ADCC superfight title to Gordon Ryan. He had been specializing in teaching at Atos HQ in San Diego previous to the allegations.
No prison expenses have been filed towards Galvao as of the time of reporting, although Herse has said she submitted a report back to native authorities.
