Article By Michael Sears | 

These five women are among the best jiu-jitsu athletes on the planet.  They're all in at the European Championships, and we're certain that they'll be making a big impact in their respective divisions.  

Beatriz Mesquita (Gracie Humaita) Light – 6:30 am cst

The four-time IBJJF World champion Bia Mesquita was voted as the 2017 female black belt of the year at the Flograppling awards. Mesquita will be looking to repeat her gold medal performance from a year ago in Lisbon. A disqualification loss at Worlds put a damper on a successful year in which she had already won Euros and Brazilian Nationals, but Bia closed out the year winning gold at the ADCC in Finland.

Tayane Porfirio (Alliance) Super-Heavy – 8:30 am cst

Probably the most dominant women's grappler on earth in 2017, Alliance Rio’s Tayane Porfirio conquered all the major IBJJF tournaments in 2017. In her first year at black belt Tayane achieved the esteemed double grand slam, gold in the weight and open at Worlds, Pans, Euros and Brazilian Nationals. At the start of a new IBJJF calendar it’s time to see if the competition has gained any ground, or if Tayane will continue her reign.

Talita Alencar (Alliance) Light-Feather – 5:54 am cst

Another athlete who stormed the black belt scene in her first year at the highest level, Talita Alencar made a big statement when she defeated three-time World champ Gezary Matuda in the Worlds final. Also winning Pans, UAEJJF World Pro and No-Gi Worlds in her first year at black belt, Alencar is looking poised to run the light-featherweight division for years.

Claudia Do Val (De La Riva) Medium-Heavy – 8:06 am cst

Yet one more member of the outstanding 2017 rookie class at women’s black belt, 2017 IBJJF World champ Claudia Do Val will be a heavy favorite in her weight and a threat in the open class. Do Val also won Brazilian Nationals in 2017. At last year’s Euros she had no fights in her weight but took home a bronze medal in the open class.

Amanda Monteiro (GFT) Feather – 4:42 am cst

Promoted to black belt after capping a stellar 2017 season at brown with a World title in Long Beach, GFTeam athlete Amanda Monteiro has looked untouchable so far in her short stint at black belt. Amanda has already won the IBJJF South American and No-Gi Pans, as well as three UAEJJF Grand Slams in just a few months. Her division at Euros is stacked with talent though, and if she can get through this bracket it will be a big statement as to her chances at the other upcoming major IBJJF competitions.