Promotion season is upon us!  

The completion of the World Championships marks the unofficial end of "gi season," and it's a common tradition for elite athletes who've placed at the majors to be promoted to the next rank. 

Below, we've compiled a comprehensive list of athletes we’re excited to watch tackle the next level of competition.

New Black Belts Coming To A Tournament Near Year

• Kaynan Duarte – 2018 Weight and Absolute Brown Belt World Champion, 2017 Purple Belt World Champion
• Mauricio Oliveira – 2018 Brown Belt World Champion, 2017 Purple Belt World Champion, 2016 Blue BElt World Champion 
• Kennedy Maciel – 2018 Brown Belt World Champion, 2018 Pan Champion
• Matheus Gabriel –  2018 World Champion, 2018 Pan Bronze Medalist, 
• Leo Lara – 2018 World Champion, Pan Champion, Abu Dhabi World Pro Champion
• Julie Wiggers - 2018 Brown Belt World champion, 2017 Purple Belt World Champion 
• Rafael Doerzapff – 2018 World Bronze Medalist 
• Bebeto Oliveira 
• Brenda Heller – 2018 Brazilian National Champion 
• Joao Mendes – 2018 Worlds Bronze Medalist
•  Mayssa Bastos – 2018 Brown Belt Worlds Silver Medalists, 2018 Brazilian National Champion
• Gabbi McComb – 2018 Pan Champion
• Talita Mare – 2018 Brown Belt World Champion

Fresh Brown Belts

• Thalison Soares – 2018 Purple Belt Worlds Silver Medalist (closed out with Jonas Andrade), 2018 Pans Champion 2018 European Cham
• Jonas Andrade – 2018 Purple Belt Worlds Gold Medalist 
• Mason Fowler – 2018 Purple Belt Worl World Champion, 2018 European Champion
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New Purple Belts

• Elisabeth Clay - 2018 World Champion, Pan Champion
• Sarah Thackray  - 2018 Blue Belt World Champion, Pan Champion, European Champion
• Tainan Dalpra – 2018 Blue Belt World Champion, 2018 Pan Champion
• Mateus Rodrigues – 2018 Blue Belt World, 2018 Pan Champion Champion, Pan Champion
• Lucas Protasio – 2018 World Champion, 2018 European Champion