Natan Chueng

Born on May 26, 1995, Natan Chueng grew up in Cantagalo, one of Rio de Janeiro's most renowned favelas, celebrated for producing exceptional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu talent. Immersed in this vibrant community, Chueng drew early inspiration from his uncle, Mauro Chueng, who notably became Cantagalo's first BJJ black belt. At age six, Natan began training at the Strauch Academy in Copacabana under the expert guidance of Paulo Maurício Strauch. However, financial hardships during his pre-teen years temporarily halted his progression in the sport.

At 16, Chueng reignited his passion for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu through the Cantagalo BJJ social project, training extensively under Douglas Rufino. Rufino closely guided Chueng's technical development through the colored belt ranks, eventually promoting him to brown belt. Seeking further competitive growth, Chueng relocated to São Paulo to train at the prestigious academy of Cícero Costha. Under Costha's mentorship, Chueng earned his black belt on June 2, 2019, marking a pivotal milestone in his competitive journey.

Driven by a desire to compete at the highest levels, Chueng moved to the United States, joining Unity Jiu-Jitsu under the esteemed coaching of Murilo Santana. After consistently securing podium finishes at major international tournaments, Chueng achieved a significant career breakthrough by winning the 2024 IBJJF Pan Championship No-Gi, capturing his first major black belt title. This victory solidified his status among the elite competitors in the lightweight division.

Chueng is widely recognized for his aggressive "wrestle-up" guard style, a dynamic approach that seamlessly integrates wrestling principles with technical guard play. His ability to initiate powerful sweeps and transitions from bottom positions was prominently displayed at the 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Miami, where he dominated a highly competitive bracket, defeating several rising stars. Chueng's innovative guard strategy has become a defining characteristic of his competitive identity, earning him widespread respect within the global Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community.