Brian Giorgio

Born in 1988 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Brian Giorgio grew up in the neighboring city of Delta, where his competitive instincts found an early outlet in football (soccer). Through his school years, he channeled that drive into team sport, later adding rugby to his athletic repertoire — a natural fit for someone drawn to physical, contact-based competition.

After graduating, Giorgio shifted his focus toward building a career as an elevator mechanic, and organized sport largely fell away. Gym workouts and swimming kept him physically active, but neither filled the competitive void that had defined his youth. By the time he reached 24, that restlessness had become impossible to ignore — and the search for something more purposeful set the stage for his introduction to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Finding the Mat

Giorgio's entry into BJJ came in his mid-20s, as he weighed up mixed martial arts and jiu-jitsu as potential paths to reignite his competitive drive. A visit to an open mat session at one of Marcus Soares' gyms in Vancouver proved decisive — the experience was immediately compelling, and Giorgio signed up after that first class.

Building Through the Belts

His time under Soares laid the groundwork, but Giorgio soon transitioned to Alliance Vancouver, where BJJ legend Bernardo Faria awarded him his blue belt. Throughout his early belt divisions, coach Walter Buse played a significant role in shaping his technical development and competitive approach.

A pivotal shift came in 2018 when Brazilian coach Thomas Lisboa joined the Alliance Vancouver team. Lisboa quickly became a defining mentor for Giorgio, providing the technical precision and competitive direction that would prove decisive in his rise through the ranks. On December 19, 2019, Thomas Lisboa promoted Giorgio to black belt — a milestone that crowned a decorated colored belt career and stands as a compelling testament to what is achievable for those who begin their BJJ journey later in life.

Colored Belt Dominance

Despite beginning BJJ relatively late, Brian Giorgio established himself as one of the most consistent performers on the IBJJF international circuit throughout his colored belt career. Competing in the Super Pesado division (100.50 kg / 222.0 lbs), he displayed a technical maturity and competitive resilience that belied his comparatively short time on the mats.

His international breakthrough arrived at blue belt in 2016, when Giorgio claimed gold at the IBJJF World Championship and added a third-place finish in the absolute division at the same event — a double podium performance that announced him as a genuine force in the division. At purple belt, he reached the IBJJF World Championship final in 2018, earning silver and reinforcing his upward trajectory.

Brown Belt Consistency

At brown belt, Giorgio's adaptability across both gi and no-gi formats became a defining feature of his competitive identity. In 2018, he collected bronze at the IBJJF World Championship NoGi, demonstrating his versatility beyond the traditional gi format. The following year proved his most prolific run on the circuit: in 2019, Giorgio claimed gold at the 2019 IBJJF European Open, reached the IBJJF World Championship NoGi final, and earned a third-place finish at the IBJJF World Championship — three major podium performances within a single calendar year.

Black Belt Ambitions

Giorgio carried that momentum directly into his black belt career. In 2020, he captured gold in both the weight and absolute categories at the 2020 IBJJF Portland Open — a statement performance that confirmed his competitive ambitions remain firmly intact at the sport's highest level.