Vinicius Lessa

Vinicius Lessa was born on December 9, 1997, in Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil — a city that would shape the early chapters of his journey to the top of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His introduction to the art came in his mid-teens through two friends, Jonas Melo and Davi Melo, a pair of purple belts who taught jiu-jitsu locally. Their influence proved pivotal, setting the course of his athletic life from the start.

While Lessa thrived under the Melo brothers, his competitive drive pushed him to seek a more tournament-focused environment. That search led him to André Papini and the Solara social project — a satellite academy affiliated with Cicero Costha, one of Brazil's most decorated jiu-jitsu talent incubators. Under Papini's guidance, Lessa's commitment to the sport became unmistakable. Recognizing the young athlete's work ethic, Papini began sponsoring him directly, covering travel costs and tournament registration fees — a privilege reserved for students who demonstrated exceptional dedication both in training and on the competition mat.

A Gold Medal and a Game-Changing Connection

In April 2021, Vinicius Lessa traveled to Abu Dhabi to compete at the AJP World Pro, where he claimed gold in the brown belt division — a performance that signaled his readiness for the sport's highest level. The trip proved transformative beyond the competitive mat. Lessa crossed paths with Claudio Calasans, a long-admired idol whose résumé includes titles at the AJP World Pro, the IBJJF World Championship, and the ADCC World Championship. The two developed a strong personal rapport over the course of the week, laying the groundwork for a lasting partnership.

Settling in São Paulo

Before the trip concluded, Claudio Calasans extended an invitation for Lessa to visit his training center in São José dos Campos, São Paulo, Brazil. What began as a brief stay evolved into something far more permanent. The caliber of training at the Calasans academy exceeded expectations, and Lessa continued to delay his return to Alagoas as his development accelerated. In time, Calasans formally invited him to join the team and represent them in competition — an offer Lessa accepted without hesitation.

Black Belt Promotion and Early Titles

Lessa's results as a brown belt were swift and decisive. On November 23, 2021, Claudio Calasans and fellow coach Álvaro Borges Junior promoted him to the rank of black belt. Competing under the Esporte Dez / Calasans Camargo banner, Lessa wasted no time making his mark at the elite level — capturing gold at both the IBJJF Brasilia Open and the IBJJF Rio Fall Open in 2022. Those performances cemented his standing as one of the most promising super-heavyweight competitors to emerge from the Calasans academy.