19/06/2025
TBT | 1999 World Championship: The New Generation Era
Those who lived it, know… The 1999 World Championship, at Tijuca Tênis Clube, was one of those events that went down in history.
It was the year of one of the toughest brown belt divisions ever seen. A generation that shaped Jiu Jitsu from that point on. Cachorrinho, Margarida, Tererê, BJ Penn, Matt Serra, Ricardo Vieira, Café… all wearing brown belts. A group that mixed talent, pressure, and a huge hunger to make their mark.
And right in the middle of that crew… Ricardo Arona.
In his weight class, it was pure domination. Passing guard, mounting, taking the back, and finishing. In the final against Fábio Leopoldo, there was no time for conversation… a lightning-fast choke and medal on his chest.
In the absolute, there was still that historic 12x0 over Tererê. A score that’s still remembered in gym stories. Arona was the most talked-about name among that entire brown belt generation. Whoever was there, saw what was coming.
And in the photo we’re bringing for this TBT, a detail only real Jiu Jitsu people will notice: Carlson Gracie, right up front, distracted… with that slight smile, as if he already knew he was looking at a generation of future champions.
It was a Worlds full of surprises, upsets, and stories worth telling over and over again.
If you were there… you’ll never forget. If you weren’t… here’s the record. 🥋🔥👊
📸 Portal do Vale Tudo