Alexandre Manara

Alexandre Manara was born in February 2002 in Mogi Mirim, São Paulo, Brazil, and raised in the neighboring city of Mogi Guaçu — a beginning that set the stage for a life shaped by athletic discipline and family tradition. Diagnosed with asthma as a toddler, Alexandre followed his doctors' recommendation to swim as a therapeutic measure to strengthen his respiratory system. He took to the water at age 4 and competed in the sport from ages 5 through 11, building the physical conditioning and competitive mindset that would carry him throughout his grappling career.

Jiu-jitsu entered Alexandre's life through the most natural of channels: his father. Alexandre Vomero Manara, a lifelong BJJ practitioner and instructor, wove grappling into the family fabric from the earliest years. By 2007, young Alexandre — known to those close to him as "Lele" — was a regular in his father's kids' classes. The daily ritual of riding to the academy together on his father's bicycle became more than a commute; it became a cornerstone of their bond and a symbol of the path ahead.

A Multi-Sport Foundation

Throughout his childhood, Alexandre led a remarkably active competitive life, pursuing three sports simultaneously. He trained in swimming, played football (soccer) as a goalkeeper, and practiced jiu-jitsu — each discipline reinforcing the others in terms of athleticism, coordination, and competitive drive. By age 10, he had progressed far enough on the mats to assist his father in teaching classes, demonstrating early leadership and an intuitive grasp of the art.

As Alexandre entered his teenage years, a clear sense of purpose took shape. He began seriously weighing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as a professional pursuit rather than a recreational one — a deliberation that ultimately led him to step away from both swimming and football and commit exclusively to jiu-jitsu. The decision reflected not just ambition, but a genuine calling.

Building a Record Against the Odds

What made his early trajectory particularly compelling was the context surrounding it. Training at a hobbyist-level gym in Brazil — without the resources or infrastructure of elite academies — Alexandre compiled an impressive competitive record across youth and colored belt divisions. On the juvenile circuit, he claimed gold at the IBJJF World Championship in 2019, took first place at the IBJJF South American Championship in 2018, and won the CBJJ Brazilian Nationals that same year. At the CBJJE World Tournament, he earned titles in 2015 and 2017 as a juvenile competitor, then returned to claim the championship at purple belt in 2021.

These results across multiple levels demonstrated that Alexandre's rise owed nothing to advantageous circumstances — only consistent, determined performance. His success on the Brazilian circuit drew attention beyond national borders and opened a door that would reshape the trajectory of his career.

In 2022, Alexandre Manara received an invitation that marked a turning point in his development. Coach Eduardo "Cadu" Santos — a figure with deep roots in the international BJJ community — extended an offer for Alexandre to travel to the United States and train at his gym. Manara accepted, relocating and immersing himself in a higher-level training environment that exposed him to the full demands of international competition.

Impact of the Move

Coach Cadu's role extended well beyond providing mat space. He served as a mentor who helped Alexandre navigate the international circuit and develop as a well-rounded competitor. The impact was immediate. Later that year, Manara claimed first place at the IBJJF JJ CON at brown belt, validating his transition to the international stage in convincing fashion. In 2023, he returned to the CBJJE World Tournament and claimed the brown belt title, reinforcing his standing as one of the more consistent performers at the colored belt level.

Through this chapter of his career, Alexandre's team affiliation broadened to reflect his new training environment. Alongside the family-rooted Manara Jiu-Jitsu Team, he became associated with Gentle Art Studio and Lotus Club — a network of connections built through Coach Cadu's influence and the relationships forged during his time in the United States. Though born and raised in Brazil, Manara represents the United States on the international competitive circuit.

On November 26, 2023, Alexandre Manara received his black belt — a milestone that brought his years of competitive dedication and personal sacrifice into sharp focus. The promotion carried weight not only as a professional achievement but as a deeply personal moment: it was certified by his father, Alexandre Vomero Manara, the same instructor who had placed a gi on his son's shoulders as a young child and pedaled him to class on a bicycle in Mogi Guaçu.

A Circle Completed

The father-son dimension of the promotion gave the occasion a significance that transcended the competitive record it capped. The journey from those early kids' classes to a black belt ceremony completed a circle begun more than fifteen years earlier — a bond forged on the mats and carried across continents. That the promotion came roughly one year after Alexandre's relocation to the United States underscored the accelerated growth he experienced within the international training environment shaped by Coach Cadu.

As a black belt, Manara competes in the Pesadíssimo (super-heavyweight) division, above 100.5 kg / 222 lbs — a weight class that demands both physical presence and technical precision. His path from a hobbyist gym in São Paulo state to the international black belt circuit stands as a testament to family legacy, personal resolve, and the willingness to seize opportunity when it arrives.