A Brazilian court has sentenced longtime BJJ coach Alcenor Alves to 178 years in prison, after convicting him of s*xually abusing multiple athletes over a period spanning more than a decade.

The 57-year-old black belt was arrested in November 2024 in Itajaí, Santa Catarina, while attending a Jiu-Jitsu tournament.
His arrest came after a lengthy investigation launched by authorities in Amazonas, following complaints from former students.

According to investigators, the abuse occurred between 2011 and 2018 and primarily involved athletes from economically vulnerable backgrounds.
Authorities alleged that Alves gained the trust of students and their families by providing support such as kimonos, travel expenses, and accommodations for competitions.

The investigation ultimately identified at least 12 victims, with additional individuals reportedly prepared to provide statements during the early stages of the case.

Investigators also stated that the case was supported by more than witness testimony alone:

We do have material evidence in this regard, and I would also like to emphasize that he is an individual who knows he is wrong, but continues to do so, because these videos and photos we have are recent.

The case gained momentum after three former students, including Matheus Gabriel, filed formal complaints with authorities in Manaus in late 2024.
Their decision to come forward publicly helped trigger a broader investigation that later received nationwide attention through coverage by Brazilian media.

Following Alves’ arrest, both the IBJJF and CBJJ banned him from their organizations.

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