The Nominees For FloGrappling's 2024 Breakthrough Grappler Of The Year
The Nominees For FloGrappling's 2024 Breakthrough Grappler Of The Year
We have narrowed it down to eight women who had an incredible year for the 2024 FloGrappling Breakthrough Grappler of the Year - vote now!
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With 2024 coming to a close, it's time to reflect on one of the biggest years in grappling history. There was so much great action and so many elite athletes putting on incredible performances that we expanded our pool of nominees to eight - eight women who have risen above the field to be nominated for grappler of the year
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Achilles Rocha, VRMA
Achilles Rocha is young, exciting, and the kind of grappler who shines the most when he is on the biggest stages. The new black belt had a busy 2024, competing at every North & South American ADCC Trials, the ADCC Worlds, and more - including a record setting quick armbar finish at WNO 23. Achilles made his mark in 2024 as an exciting grappler to watch.
Adele Fornarino, Atos Jiu-Jitsu/Dominance MMA
2024 will be remembered by many within grappling as the year Adele made history, as the Australian standout captured double gold at the ADCC Worlds in one of the best runs ever. She made her WNO debut and eventually won the championship and she is poised to stand atop the grappling world in 2025.
Cassia Moura, LEAD BJJ
Cassia had already made history in the gi season, when she won the mundials at brown belt and got her black belt - finishing a year where she went from blue to black in only 363 days. Then, she took that a step further when she won the IBJJF No-Gi Worlds at only 18 and became the youngest in history. With records broken and championships won, this was a breakout year for Cassia.
Felipe Costa, Six Blades Jiu-Jitsu
The newest star from Six Blades had a busy year that started with winning the South American Trials to earn his way to ADCC Worlds. Once he got there, he made a darkhorse run to bronze at -88kg and announced himself as having arrived on a new level. After an invitation to The Crown as well, he finished his year by winning his first World Championship at no-gi Worlds.
Michael Pixley, Pedigo Submission Fighting
Michael walked into the ADCC Championships a big underdog and left as the biggest story in the game after submitting Nicholas Meregali (after submitting Vinicius Trator in the first round), becoming the first man to submit Meregali at black belt after he threw him and locked in a darce choke. It was one of the biggest upsets ever and launched Pixley into a new level for his career. He would go on to win gold at the IBJJF Pan No-Gi and World No-Gi Championships, a reversal from his 2023 campaign.
Owen Jones, Apex Jiu-Jitsu
Owen Jones showed up on most people's radars after winning the European Trials and he has been one of grappling's most entertaining people ever since. He made good on that opportunity when he submitted his first two opponents at ADCC Worlds to place 4th, including an armbar win over Gabriel Sousa (the returning silver medalist). He finished his year strong with a bunch of submissions at AIGA and we are tuned in for whatever the London native has ready in 2025.
VOTE HERE FOR THE FLOGRAPPLING AWARDS
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