Representing the famend Atos Jiu-Jitsu academy, Kaynan Duarte has develop into a power within the sport of Jiu-Jitsu. Duarte has amassed a large trophy case that features quite a few gi and no-gi world titles.
His journey from a curious child in Brazil’s city sprawl to 4x ADCC champ, exemplifies the transformative energy of Jiu-Jitsu. Try beneath how Kaynan Duarte grew to become a BJJ phenom and elevated the game. Additionally, make sure to take a look at the most recent UFC odds earlier than the following large combat.
Kaynan Duarte’s Entry Into Grappling
Kaynan Duarte’s early days within the sport had been steeped in household affect and humble beginnings. Rising up in a tight-knitting Brazilian household, he was surrounded by cousins captivated with martial arts. At age 10, beneath stress from his older kin, Kaynan dipped his toes into Judo. He was drawn in by its throws and grips that mirrored the rough-and-tumble play of his neighborhood children.
However it was a cousin, an lively BJJ practitioner, who ignited a deep hearth inside him. “Judo gave me the bottom, however Jiu-Jitsu felt like residence.” The transition was seamless; Judo’s emphasis on leverage and management primed him for the ground-based chess of Jiu-Jitsu. He started his Jiu-Jitsu journey coaching beneath black belt José Luis in São Paulo.
As Kaynan’s potential started to develop, he determined that he wanted to journey to greater gyms to extend his expertise. To speed up his development, he made pilgrimages to elite camps: first to Cícero Costa’s academy after which Paulo Ledesma’s Atos-affiliated faculty in Bauru. These journeys, usually on a shoestring price range, uncovered him to high-level sparring and numerous types
By his mid-teens, Duarte started competing domestically round São Paulo, slowly making a reputation for himself. He confirmed an ideal elementary guard that stifled opponents. After getting some consideration on the native stage, Kaynan was launched to Atos chief André Galvão. The legend invited the younger grappler to the US to coach and compete on the UAEJJF LA Grand Slam.
At 18, Kaynan Duarte was prepared to point out the world his skills and compete on the nationwide stage. The younger athlete thrived in one of many prime BJJ academies and rapidly grew to become one of many world’s greatest Jiu-Jitsu athletes. Coaching within the California solar marked a turning level for Duarte. He received practically each main championship on the purple and brown belt earlier than incomes his black belt in 2018. As a brand new black belt, Kaynan was able to tackle the world’s greatest.
Kaynan Turns into An Elite Athlete

Since André Galvão promoted Kaynan Duarte to black belt, he has firmly made his mark as an elite athlete. Since 2018, Duarte has dominated the competitors in each gi and no-gi. 2019 was his popping out 12 months as Kaynan received his first ADCC championship after which double gold at IBJJF Worlds(Duarte was stripped of those medals after a failed drug check.)
Regardless of the setback, Kaynan got here again from the suspension to win the world title in 2021 and repeated as champ in 2022. In each occasions, Duarte got here up simply wanting double gold, however misplaced within the absolute divisions. Regardless of the loss to Fellipe Andrew within the 2022 IBJJF championship, he wasn’t deterred.
In 2024, Duarte placed on arguably the very best efficiency of his younger profession on the 2022 ADCC Championship. He educated for over a 12 months, particularly coaching to win double gold at this occasion. This was the very best Kaynan we had ever seen as he placed on an unbelievable grappling show. The Atos ace didn’t simply win, however dominated the competitors.
He submitted all however one opponent throughout his unbelievable 2024 ADCC run. This included submitting former champion Cyborg Abreu along with his signature guillotine choke and former IBJJF champion Rafael Lovato Jr. He then put the stamp on his unbelievable run by submitting Cyborg within the absolute finals with one other guillotine choke.
This efficiency is taken into account one of many best runs in ADCC historical past. There isn’t a doubt that the present period of grappling belongs to Kayan Duarte. At 27, Duarte has already achieved each feat doable within the sport of Jiu-Jitsu a number of instances. He has undoubtedly proved that he is likely one of the best within the sport’s historical past.
