At 44, André Galvão returns to the IBJJF, wins two matches and closes out the final with his student
The Atos leader competed in the adult division at the Pan No-Gi, won his quarterfinal and semifinal 2-0 and took silver at super-heavyweight. The gold went to Natã Tenca, from the same team.
André Galvão returned to competition at an IBJJF tournament and came away with the silver medal. At 44, the Atos founder entered the adult division, not the Master division, of the no-gi Pan Championship, held from October 2 to 4 in Secaucus, New Jersey, in the United States.
In the black belt super-heavyweight division, Galvão beat Jean Maltese in the quarterfinals and Sergio Vilas in the semifinals, both 2-0 on points.
Final closed out within Atos
From the other side of the bracket came Natã Tenca, also from Atos and a student of Galvão. The two decided not to face each other, what is known as a close-out, which is common when teammates meet in the final. Tenca took the gold and Galvão the silver.
In a social media post, Galvão said he wanted to feel the pressure and adrenaline of competing in the adult division again and find out what he is still capable of. He also said that seeing his student become champion was one of the most special moments of his career.
Galvão is one of the most successful names in jiu-jitsu history, with world and ADCC titles. His comeback was one of the attractions of the Pan No-Gi, which saw Poland's Pawel Jaworski win the medium-heavyweight division and the open class.
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