Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, recently hosted a significant event in the grappling world. On March 2nd and 3rd, it was the venue for the first South American qualifier of ADCC 2024, the world’s premier grappling tournament, set to take place on August 17th and 18th in Las Vegas, USA. A standout performance at the ADCC Trials in Minas Gerais came from an unexpected source – a remarkably talented 15-year-old.
The young grappler, Kallebe Pereira, a blue belt, made an impressive showing in the 66kg division. He reached the semi-finals and notably defeated black belt Felipe Machado, the current Brazilian No Gi black belt champion… Hailing from Manaus, Amazonas, Kallebe trains at the Melqui Galvão School and is supported by MasterFrigo.
The competition spotlighted emerging talents, with athletes vying for spots in the prestigious ADCC 2024. The São Paulo selection followed, confirming eight more athletes for the Las Vegas event.
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Kallebe’s father, black belt Francisco Pereira, expressed immense pride in his son’s performance. Kallebe started training at the age of 2 under his father’s guidance. Despite not winning the qualifier, his exceptional performance, encompassing five matches, could potentially earn him an invitation to compete in ADCC 2024.
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“I am very proud of my son. He sent me a message saying he was going to make history and he did. Even though he didn’t reach the final, he had a total of five fights, and even without the title, everything went well,”
Francisco reflected on Kallebe’s journey, noting his early determination and passion. At 8 years old, Kallebe declared his love for the sport, viewing it as a way to channel his energy and emotions. His distinctive fighting spirit and relentless drive set him apart.
At 15, Kallebe has a promising future ahead. With the support of his parents and the guidance of coaches Melqui Galvão and Maclay, he continues to develop his skills in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Francisco emphasized the importance of nurturing a child’s aspirations, sharing how Kallebe found his calling in Jiu-Jitsu and pursued it with zeal. After outgrowing training opportunities at their local academy, Kallebe moved to train under Melqui Galvão, where he has continued to thrive. The addition of Coach Maclay to the team further enriched Kallebe’s training, offering specialized guidance for young athletes.
