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The BJJ Story
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Paulo Miyao

Paulo Miyao is a black belt known for berimbolo guard work, open-weight success, major IBJJF titles, and two ADCC bronze medals.

Biography

BJJ Heroes profiles Paulo Miyao as a light-featherweight competitor distinguished by berimbolo-based guard work and success in open-weight divisions. That combination—an intricate guard game tested well beyond his usual weight limit—became the clearest competitive signature of his career. Paulo Henrique Bordignon Miyao was born in Andira, Parana, Brazil, in 1991 alongside his twin brother, Joao. The brothers began in judo before taking up Brazilian jiu-jitsu at sixteen under Adriano Carvalho. They later moved to São Paulo to pursue the sport professionally and joined Cicero Costha's Projeto Social Lutando Pelo Bem, where they lived and trained. In a joint interview published after their black-belt promotion, Paulo and Joao said they had spent four years living at Costha's academy and training throughout the day. They named Leandro Lo, the Mendes brothers, and Costha among the influences on their jiu-jitsu. Costha promoted the twins to black belt together in June 2013. A selected list of Paulo's black-belt results includes IBJJF World titles in 2015 and 2019, Pan titles in 2014, 2015, and 2019, and European Open titles in 2019 and 2022. Those results are highlights rather than a complete career total. Official ADCC records add two bronze medals: third place in the men's under-66-kilogram division in both 2017 and 2019. The same contrast runs through those achievements. Miyao competed near the light-featherweight limit, yet his guard work also brought results in open-weight competition, where size offered no such symmetry.

Sources for this profile

  • BJJ Heroes, Paulo Miyao(opens in a new tab)

    • Paulo Henrique Bordignon Miyao was born in Andira, Parana, Brazil, on May 11, 1991, alongside his twin brother Joao.

      Where in the source: Paulo Miyao Jiu-Jitsu and biography — full name and opening birth paragraph.

      Accessed:

    • The Miyao brothers began in judo, took up Brazilian jiu-jitsu at age sixteen, and first trained under Adriano Carvalho.

      Where in the source: Biography — paragraph on judo, starting jiu-jitsu and Adriano Carvalho.

      Accessed:

    • Paulo and Joao moved to Sao Paulo to pursue jiu-jitsu professionally and joined Cicero Costha's Projeto Social Lutando Pelo Bem, where they lived and trained.

      Where in the source: Biography — move to Sao Paulo and PSLPB paragraphs.

      Accessed:

    • Cicero Costha promoted Paulo and Joao Miyao to black belt together in June 2013.

      Where in the source: Biography — closing paragraph before the grappling record.

      Accessed:

    • BJJ Heroes highlights Paulo's berimbolo-based guard work and his unusual success in open-weight divisions despite competing around the light-featherweight limit.

      Where in the source: Profile introduction, biography development paragraph and favorite-technique field.

      Accessed:

    • His listed black-belt results include IBJJF World titles in 2015 and 2019, Pan titles in 2014, 2015 and 2019, and European Open titles in 2019 and 2022.

      Where in the source: Paulo Miyao Jiu-Jitsu — selected entries in Main Achievements.

      Accessed:

  • Graciemag, Irmaos Miyao e a faixa-preta, June 27, 2013(opens in a new tab)

    • In a June 2013 joint interview after their promotion, Paulo and Joao said they had spent four years living at Cicero Costha's academy and training throughout the day in pursuit of a professional career.

      Where in the source: Graciemag interview — introduction and answers on promotion and daily training.

      Accessed:

    • The brothers identified Leandro Lo, the Mendes brothers and Cicero Costha as influences on their jiu-jitsu.

      Where in the source: Graciemag interview — answer to the question about inspirations.

      Accessed:

  • ADCC Federation, ADCC Submission Fighting World Championship 2017 results(opens in a new tab)

    • The official ADCC 2017 results place Paulo Miyao third in the men's under-66-kilogram division.

      Where in the source: Official Results — 2017 under-66-kilogram table, bronze row.

      Accessed:

  • ADCC Federation, ADCC Submission Fighting World Championship 2019 results(opens in a new tab)

    • The official ADCC 2019 results again place Paulo Miyao third in the men's under-66-kilogram division.

      Where in the source: Official Results — 2019 male under-66-kilogram list, third place.

      Accessed:

Competition results

Recorded tournament results, newest first
YearEventResultDivision
2019ADCC 2019Source: adcombat.com-66 kgNo-giVerified3rd place-66 kgNo-giVerified
2017ADCC 2017Source: adcombat.com-66 kgNo-giVerified3rd place-66 kgNo-giVerified
2015IBJJF World ChampionshipSource: en.wikipedia.org-64 kgGiVerified1st place-64 kgGiVerified