In a disturbing development, three additional Jiu-Jitsu world champions have come forward to accuse Alcenor Alves, a Jiu-Jitsu instructor arrested last Saturday (23) in Itajaí, Santa Catarina, of sexual abuse. Alves was detained under a temporary arrest warrant issued by the Amazonas Court for charges of rape of a vulnerable person and sexual exploitation. Investigations so far suggest at least 12 boys were victims of his alleged abuse.
Two-time Jiu-Jitsu world champion Matheus Gabriel, one of the first to file a formal complaint, recently gave an emotional interview to TV Globo, revealing that the abuse had been ongoing for over 15 years. Gabriel stated that his first encounter with abuse occurred at the age of 11 during trips to competitions.
“We traveled a lot for tournaments like the Brazilian Championship and World Cups in São Paulo and Rio. One night, I woke up to him touching me. I was just a child… in shock. I didn’t know how to react,” said Matheus Gabriel, now 27.
Joint Statement from Jiu-Jitsu Champions
Following Gabriel’s disclosure, Meyram Maquine, Ary Farias, and Thalison Soares released a powerful joint statement on Instagram detailing their own experiences of abuse at the hands of Alves. The statement shed light on the emotional toll endured by survivors and called for systemic change to make Jiu-Jitsu a safer environment.
“For years, we carried the pain of a traumatic experience: we were victims of abuse committed by a teacher we trusted. Like many victims, we felt ashamed and afraid to report the crime. Today, we are breaking our silence to seek justice and prevent others from suffering the same. Sports should be a safe space for learning and respect.”
Their decision to speak out has been widely praised, inspiring others in the community to break their silence and demand accountability.
White House Jiu-Jitsu Responds
At the time of his arrest, Alves was participating as a coach at a Jiu-Jitsu competition for children and teenagers on the North Coast of Santa Catarina. The academy where he served as a technical director, White House Jiu-Jitsu, issued an official statement expressing shock and distancing itself from the allegations.
“Since our founding in 2017, we have operated with integrity, guided by the principles of Jiu-Jitsu. We have never been the target of complaints that could harm the reputation of our academy or the community. We remain committed to cooperating fully with the authorities.”
Calls for Justice and Reform
This case has sent shockwaves through the Jiu-Jitsu community, raising urgent questions about safeguarding measures in martial arts academies. The survivors’ courage to come forward has galvanized a broader movement to ensure that martial arts remains a space of trust, respect, and safety for all practitioners. As the investigation unfolds, the focus remains on securing justice for the victims and implementing reforms to prevent future abuses.
Sloth Jiu-Jitsu: you can be slow and unathletic and still kick butt in Jiu-Jitsu.
