José Henrique Cardoso was born on October 2, 1993, in Criciúma, a city in the southern Brazilian state of Santa Catarina. Raised in an athletic household, Cardoso was shaped early by two influential uncles — one a professional football player, the other a jiu-jitsu competitor — whose contrasting paths planted the seeds of a lifelong dedication to sport. Football came naturally to him, and he developed genuine ability with the ball at his feet.

At age 13, his trajectory shifted decisively when he began taking jiu-jitsu classes under his uncle, Alexandro Ceconi. Training in the gi proved transformative. Football, once a primary passion, was gradually pushed to the margins and eventually abandoned altogether as Cardoso committed himself fully to the gentle art.

Cardoso's rise through the ranks was shaped by two distinct but complementary coaching relationships. His primary mentor, uncle Alexandro Ceconi, brought a judo-inflected grappling philosophy forged during an extensive training stint in South Korea — an influence that would leave a lasting imprint on Cardoso's competitive identity. Ceconi awarded Henrique both his blue belt and, years later, his black belt, anchoring the athlete firmly within the Ceconi Kmkz lineage.

During periods when Alexandro Ceconi was abroad, Cardoso continued his development under Eduardo Milioli of RGA. Milioli guided Henrique through pivotal stages of progression, awarding him both his purple and brown belt ranks. The blend of Ceconi's judo-grounded approach and Milioli's technical instruction produced a well-rounded, competition-hardened athlete.

Cardoso received his black belt from Alexandro Ceconi in April 2016, in a ceremony shared alongside Richard Avila — a milestone marking his formal entry into BJJ's highest competitive tier.

Henrique Cardoso built his competitive reputation on a foundation that is inseparable from his takedown game. The precision and consistency he demonstrates on the feet — a direct inheritance of Alexandro Ceconi's judo background — became his most defining weapon across multiple weight divisions. Cardoso competes in the Meio Pesado division at 88.30 kg / 195.0 lbs.

2018: A Year of International Dominance

2018 represented a peak period of international activity. Cardoso captured gold at the 2018 IBJJF London Winter Open, the 2018 IBJJF Floripa Spring Open, the 2018 IBJJF Lisbon Open, and the 2018 IBJJF Madrid Open, while also claiming first place in the absolute division at the 2018 IBJJF Paris Fall Open. This run of results across two continents demonstrated both his consistency and his ability to perform in diverse competitive environments.

2019–2020: High-Stakes Performances

Cardoso sustained his presence at the sport's higher-stakes events in the years that followed. In 2019, he reached the final of the CBJJ Brazilian Nationals and earned a third-place finish at the IBJJF European Open — results that confirmed his standing among Brazil's elite Meio Pesado competitors. In 2020, he finished as runner-up at the CBJJ South Brazilian Championship and claimed third place at the Copa Podio MW Grand Prix, reflecting the breadth and durability of a competitive career built on technical precision and relentless engagement.