Yonathan Cárdenas
Chilean veteran medic and Jiu-Jitsu champion Yonathan Cárdenas secured an epic victory on Friday, July 10th. He officially won the Rio Winter IO NO-GI 2026 championship in the Adult Black Belt category.
A Champion Emerges In Brazil
The prestigious tournament runs through Saturday, July 11th. Fans packed the Centro Esportivo Miécimo da Silva in Rio de Janeiro to watch top South American athletes test their submission grappling skills. The resilient grappler from Quellón continues to make major combat sports history. Earlier this year on April 2nd, he became the very first national athlete to debut in UFC BJJ 7.
Mastering The Art Of Submission
Cárdenas has an undeniable talent for elite Jiu-Jitsu. The Apex Submission Head Coach already holds impressive titles as the ADCC Brazil Open champion and the 2025 Brazilian No-Gi champion in the adult lightweight division. He constantly proves himself on the competitive mats.
Inside A True Winning Mindset
During a past interview on the “ENTRE LUCHADORES PODCAST,” Cárdenas gave fans an inside look at his mentality.
“I’m no longer scared to lose, so now I’m more open and able to loosen up more,” he explained. “Before I couldn’t do that, I wanted so much to win and that would make me second guess myself.” This mental shift clearly pays huge dividends.
The Legacy Of The IBJJF
The Rio Winter International Open No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu Championship is a massive annual staple hosted by the IBJJF. Since the first World Championships in 1996, No-Gi jiu-jitsu has absolutely exploded globally. This winter event remains a major proving ground. It features elite divisions ranging from adult to masters classes. The tournament even hosts the Kids International Open to build the sport’s grassroots foundation.
Catch All The Grappling Action
You can easily watch recent championship matches broadcasted globally on the official IBJJF YouTube Channel and Instagram. To view exact bracket breakdowns, team standings, and historic records from past Rio Winter IO No-Gi tournaments, just check the complete IBJJF Results Database.
