Andre Galvao is one of the greatest Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioners and grapplers of all time. Having won a staggering six gold medals at the ADCC competition, he has also won five gold at Worlds as a black belt. With this said, it’s not surprising that he’s considered as one of the greatest ever.
Not only this but Galvao has also won the biggest medals in both gi and nogi. This means that he’s also one of the most versatile ever as well. It doesn’t stop there though, he is also the brains behind the ATOS organization, which is one of the greatest competition teams in the world of BJJ. With this in mind, here are some interesting facts about Andre Galvao.
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When did Andre Galvao start BJJ?
Andre Galvao began training BJJ as a teenager, after previously training Judo. This gives a nod as to why his stand up game is so good. Aged 16, Galvao began training under the legendary Fernando Terere, who was instrumental in his success.
Who started Atos BJJ?
Atos was founded by Andre Galvao back in 2008. The HQ of this gym is infamously talented with the likes of Kaynan Duarte, Josh Hinger and Lucas Barbosa hailing from there, amongst others. The HQ is located in San Diego, however, Atos now has many affiliation gyms around the world. For instance, UFC Champion Israel Adesanya trains at an Atos in New Zealand.
Apparently, the name Atos comes from The Book of Acts which is a biblical book in the new testament of the bible. As Galvao is famously religious, naming his gym after a biblical text makes sense.
Who gave Keenan Cornelius his black belt?
Legendary grappler and lapel enthusiast Keenan Cornelius, was awarded his black belt from Andre Galvao back in 2013. This was given whilst Cornelius was training at the Atos HQ. Since then, Cornelius quite Atos to make his own gym, named Legion which is in the same area. Over the years, Galvao has been responsible for promoting various champions to black belt.
Where does Andre Galvao train?
Andre Galvao trains at the Atos HQ gym in California. This is based in San Diego which is somewhat of a hub for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. However, due to his busy schedule, he also trains around the world when giving seminars, and often visits other Atos gyms globally.
How much does Andre Galvao weigh?
Andre Galvao’s weight has fluctuated over the years. Like many grapplers, the older he has grown, the bigger he has gotten. These days, he often walks around at over 90KG, but often competes at under 88KG. Earlier on in his career, he competed at under 77KG. Galvao’s height is roughly 5’5, so it’s safe to say that pound for pound, he is incredibly strong and muscular.
What GI does Andre Galvao wear?
These days, Andre Galvao wears an Atos gi. However, down the years he has worn the likes of Fuji, War Tribe, and even Vinac back in the day. Like many schools, the Atos gym uses its own gis, so he often wears either a black or white Atos gi.
Who did Andre Galvao train under?
For the bulk of his career before Atos, Andre Galvao trained under the iconic Fernando Terere. This was back in Brazil, before Galvao moved to USA. It was Terere who also awarded Galvao with his black belt. Much of Galvao’s earlier style in the gi was often attributed to the teachings of Terere, who was big on explosive passing and a tricky guard.
How much is Atos BJJ?
Atos online costs $24.95 per month. Like many BJJ subscription sites, this shows Galvao teaching an array of moves and techniques. It also features other teachers from the gym.
In terms of classes, the Atos HQ costs over $100 per month. However, if you’re training at a different Atos location then prices may vary, especially when talking about an Atos gym abroad.
