BJJ World Champion Brenda Larissa Details 14 Years of Alleged Abuse by Melqui Galvão

A new and deeply troubling account has emerged in the ongoing case surrounding Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coach Melqui Galvão, as decorated athlete Brenda Larissa has come forward with a detailed testimony describing years of alleged abuse. Larissa, a world champion in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, shared her story in a video statement, outlining what she says was a […]

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BJJ World Champion Brenda Larissa has publicly accused her former coach, Melqui Galvão, of 14 years of alleged physical and psychological abuse, starting when she was just 10 years old. Larissa, who trained under Galvão at his academy in Manaus, Brazil, detailed a pattern of controlling behavior, including isolating her from her family, managing her finances, and dictating her personal life, even after she became an adult and a world champion. She claims Galvão exploited her talent and success for his own benefit, while subjecting her to constant manipulation and threats.

The allegations include instances where Galvão allegedly prevented Larissa from seeing her family, confiscated her phone, and controlled her prize money and sponsorship earnings. Larissa stated that the abuse escalated over time, leading to a complete breakdown of her personal autonomy. She described feeling trapped and fearing repercussions if she spoke out, highlighting the power imbalance inherent in the coach-athlete relationship, especially given her young age when the alleged abuse began.

Larissa's decision to come forward has sparked significant discussion within the BJJ community regarding athlete welfare, the responsibilities of coaches, and the potential for abuse within high-performance environments. Her account underscores the importance of safeguarding young athletes and ensuring that training environments are safe and supportive, rather than exploitative. The allegations have led to calls for greater accountability and transparency in the sport, particularly concerning the conduct of prominent figures like Galvão.