# Mayara Custodio > ## Overview **Name:** Mayara Custodio ## Bio Mayara Custódio was born on February 17, 1987, in Londrina, a city located in the Brazilian state of Paraná. Prior to finding her way in martial arts, Mayara was an avid weight lifter and successful arm-wrestler, earning an arm-wrestling state title in 2011. Jiu-Jitsu appeared in Custódio’s life at the age of 26, while accompanying her younger sibling to class. Mayara’s brother grew up with a few physical limitations due to a difficult labor, going through several stages of physiotherapy while growing up. When he was 10 years old, his physio advocated for his family to add sports to the youngster’s daily life, pointing to jiu-jitsu as a good option. Following the advice, Mayara decided to take her brother to a local grappling gym, joining as well for extra support. The Custódio brothers’ first instructor was Norival Diego Rossi of a local Gracie Barra affiliate, where Mayara remained for four years – up until her purple belt rank. Mayara was over 30 years old when she decided to take a dive into professional grappling, a decision she dwelled on for a long time before setting her heart into it. At the time, Custódio had started dating a member of the Checkmat Paraná, a relationship that created a bridge between Mayara and coach Sebastian Lalli – one of the most successful and well-respected instructors in the grappling world. The experience led the Londrina native to move to the city of Curitiba, to train full-time with Checkmat Paraná, staying at the athlete’s house under a scholarship. While with Checkmat, Mayara Custódio had the opportunity to train within the team’s network, work that led her to Leonardo Vieira in 2019, someone she would work with again the following year. In August 2020, Mayara Custódio was awarded her black belt from Sebastian Lalli, in Paraná, after a successful career in the colored belt divisions. --- **Last Updated:** March 21, 2026 **Data Source:** BJJ.Space (https://bjj.space/people/mayara-custodio-cb76926bc9f5)