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.