ADGS Miami: Johnatha Alves reflects on his journey to become a champion in AJP

August 22, 2023

The life of a Jiu-Jitsu champion begets building. From the foundation of your game to pre-fight rituals, everything comes gradually, and for Johnatha Alves, current Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Miami under-77kg champion, it was no different.

In 2018, at the start of his journey in the US-organized AJP tournaments, the then-young brown belt Johnata managed to reach the top of the podium, but as a black belt things took a turn. Despite that, giving up was never an option and the staunch competitor showcased his valor in moments of hardship.

“My AJP journey was remarkable since its beginning in 2018, as a brown belt,” Johnatha recalled. "That year, I achieved success and tasted victory, which fueled my ambition to keep striving for greatness. The following year, newly promoted to black belt, I faced the realities of high-level competition and experienced some adversities. I was defeated and it was a bitter pill to swallow. But instead of letting myself get discouraged, I saw it as an opportunity to grow. I knew I needed to learn from my mistakes and worked even harder to become a better athlete."

Even with the bitter defeat fueling his hunger to rise to the top of the podium once again, Johnatha would be in for a bumpy ride in the following tournaments. His 2020 campaign, which sought to soothe the pain of losing in 2019, was not successful, and worse yet, he was met with defeat once again in 2021. Unwavering in his resolve, Johnatha picked himself up from those stumbles and used them as motivation to come back even stronger.

"The following years, 2020 and 2021, also did not go as planned. Despite tremendous effort, I was unable to reach the top spot on the podium. However, I firmly believed that every challenge and obstacle was preparing me for something greater in the future. Throughout this journey, I never lost sight of my goal: to be on the podium as a black belt champion. Every setback made me more determined to move forward."

As usual, hard work and perseverance always pay off. For Johnatha, last year's Abu Dhabi Grand Slam in Miami was that payoff. As he stood atop the podium, bathing in the glory of his triumph and the joy of finally conquering his long-sought goal, his years of turmoil made victory taste all the sweeter in his mouth. It felt like confirmation that the greatness he chased since 2018 was finally here, setting the tone for a grand career, riddled with black belt titles, within the AJP.

"Finally, in 2022, my tireless dedication and hard work paid off. I earned my title and won a gold medal as a black belt in Miami. Looking back, I can see a stark difference between the Johnatha of 2018 and the athlete I am today. I evolved not only in my Jiu-Jitsu techniques but also as an individual. Every challenge and defeat made me stronger, more resilient, and more experienced."

Show the world that you're also capable of awe-inspiring achievement, whether by conquering the podium or by surpassing yourself on the battlefield. Registration for the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Jiu-Jitsu World Tour is still open, and the tournament will take place on September 16th and 17th. Go to AJPTour.com and don't miss out!