The 2023 IBJJF World Jiu-Jitsu Championship witnessed an awe-inspiring display of skills and determination by the Gameness Pro Team. Their remarkable performance resulted in an astonishing tally of seven gold, one silver and two bronze medals across multiple divisions. 

All Gameness blue belts athletes made it to the podium at this event. Twins Mia and Ashlee Funegra had a dominant performance and closed out the blue belt, juvenile 2, featherweight and open class divisions. Emily Leyva earned a silver medal in the blue belt, juvenile 2, lightweight division as well as won a bronze medal in the open class. 

Brown belts Abbi Pontes and Marco Mendes carved their name into IBJJF history by earning gold in their divisions. Pontes is the 2023 IBJJF brown belt, light-feather weight, world champion and Mendes is the 2023 IBJJF, brown belt, featherweight world champion. Both athletes also earned their black belts on the podium after their outstanding wins. 

In the female black belt division, Gameness was well represented by Nathiely Jesus, who is already a 5x world champion, and returned to the mat after having a baby last year. Jesus earned a bronze medal this year in the black belt, heavyweight division. Representing the male black belts, Lucas Pinheiro achieved his ultimate career goal after winning a gold medal in the rooster-weight division. Both Pinheiro and Osvaldo “Queixinho” officially retired from IBJJF competitions at the conclusion of this event. 

Learn more about the Gameness Pro Team athletes here.