For the first time since September 2016, Paulo Miyao is joining his brother, Joao, in open competition. 

The twin siblings are both signed up to compete at the 2018 Abu Dhabi Grand Slam on Jan. 12-13, with Joao entered for the 62kg division and Paulo signed up at 69kg. 

Watch the 2018 Abu Dhabi Grand Slam LIVE on FloGrappling

Despite his World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) suspension (active until September 2018), Paulo certainly has been far from inactive in recent months: He took third at ADCC and is the current ACB 65kg gi champion, but all the same — this is the first major open event he’s been seen at in quite some time. 

Paulo Miyao defeats Isaac Doederleinat the 2016 LA Grand Slam.

You might be asking then: with an active WADA suspension, how is Paulo able to compete?  

It comes down to the organizational hierarchy of the UAEJJF and the JJIF, the International Ju-Jitsu Federation.  The UAEJJF is partners with the JJIF, which is responsible for the major Olympic push in the sport.

The JJIF is a direct signatory of WADA — not the UAEJJF, and the only event that the JJIF currently presides over for the UAEJJF is the Abu Dhabi World Pro, which does indeed include WADA’s anti-doping restrictions. 

The JJIF does not currently regulate Grand Slam events, meaning that WADA infractions have no validity there. The UAEJJF confirmed that "Grand Slam events are not subject to anti-doping control."

Therefore Paulo Miyao is free to compete at all UAEJJF events besides World Pro. 

Currnet Athletes in the 69kg Division:

• Paulo Miyao
• Alexandre Vieira
• Tiago Bravo
• Rodrigo Cardoso
• Alejandro Carreras
• Sergio Calderon
• Marcelo Machado
• Joao Bosco
• Victor Moraes
• Daniel Vieira
• Dbdullah Nabas
• Gustavo Verissimo