Mikael Galvao and Amit Elor met backstage at a Jiu-Jitsu championship event in San Francisco in 2017, but had no idea what the future held for them.
Galvao, who recently turned 21, has established himself as a major player in the Jiu-Jitsu scene. After winning the so-called ‘Super Grand Slam’ – winning the Brazilian, Pan American, European and World Championships – the youngster has ambitions to match his vast skill set. Galvao, who is also an ADCC champion, revealed on Combate’s Mundo da Ruta podcast last Monday that he is considering representing his country at the Olympics. Galvao’s girlfriend, Errol, won gold in the 68kg freestyle wrestling category at the 2024 Olympics, and Galvao hopes to match her feat in 2028.
“I have a desire to go to the Olympics and I believe that wrestling is the easiest path,” Galvao insisted. “I tried to see if I could compete in judo, but the federation is a little restrictive in terms of permission to compete.I’m a brown belt, but if I chose judo I would have to go through the black belt process. No. It takes time and patience, which I don’t have right now. Wrestling is easier, the rules are a little more flexible, and I can combine it with Jiu-Jitsu. It would be a dream to reach that level!”
Seven years ago, Galvao and Errol encountered another person for the first time, but it was a brief encounter without much progress.
“We were both 13 years old and competed in the adult division and won our weight division and the absolute division,” the 21-year-old explained. “We took pictures together, exchanged phone numbers and started keeping in touch, but we never met again.
[COVID-19] The pandemic has begun. ”
When the pandemic hit in 2020, Errol reached out to his fellow grapplers and told them they couldn’t train because all academies were closed in the United States. “Micah” tells her that his father runs an academy in Manaus, Brazil. We held closed training sessions every day. Galvao invited the American wrestler to train, and she gladly accepted his offer.
“She spent a month with me in Manaus, returned to the US and stayed with me for another three months a few weeks later. We ended up spending the moon,” “Micah” recalled.
From there, our relationship deepened. Galvao was unable to watch his partner win gold in Paris as he was competing in the 2024 ADCC. After both won, the two geniuses reunited for a month in the United States to celebrate their gold medals.
Before planning their wedding, grapplers focus on winning medals and setting records. “Micah” has his sights set on wrestling, but that’s not his only focus. Galvao is already planning a move to MMA in the future.
“The possibilities are huge. I want to challenge myself,” Galvao explained. “I’m training Muay Thai and I’m really enjoying it. I did the math and if I keep up the pace of my training, I’ll be taking about 200 Muay Thai classes over the next three to four years. , I find that it gives me a strengthened base. But I want to combine everything with Jiu Jitsu. I want to enjoy my art as much as possible before changing anything. I sat down with my dad and team to create a plan that was achievable, healthy, and sustainable.
If his plans to switch gears to MMA come to fruition, the jiu-jitsu star knows it will take some adjustments. Galvao, who competes at 77 kg, or 170 pounds, knows he is undersized for his weight class.
“I compete at 77kg in jiu-jitsu,” said the Brazilian. “In MMA, a fighter who weighs 77 kg weighs 90 kg.” [198 pounds]so I’m going to fight at lightweight. ”
With a huge social media following approaching 1 million on Instagram alone, Galvao believes he can still make money from the sport he loves, Jiu-Jitsu. Many grapplers transition to MMA for a higher paycheck, but unlike previous Jiu-Jitsu generations, “Micah” believes he doesn’t need to transition to MMA to earn a decent paycheck. Masu.
“Today, athletes who stand out in jiu-jitsu or grappling are guaranteed great rewards from sponsors, event awards, seminars, and more. You only go to MMA if you want to test yourself, and this is my I love a challenge,” the young man concluded.
