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

The field is set at The Crown for lightweight, with all eight participants announced on Instagram last week by the IBJJF. The bracket will be headlined by defending Crown champion and reigning World champion Luiza Monteiro, who announced her retirement from Worlds after taking gold. Now she will return to the Pyramid for perhaps the last time with one last chance at the top of the podium.