Third Coast Grappling Kumite 7 is the last event of the series that spans four months during a worldwide pandemic. The bracket is comprised of eight female black belts vying for the $10,000 prize. That is a powerful statement for equality in the sport. Eight world-class elite competitors showcasing the best of women’s Jiu-Jitsu. This is part four of an eight-part series featuring each of the athletes in the bracket. This is Nathiely De Jesus.
Nathiely De Jesus is a five-time International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) black belt World champion (three times in the Gi and two at No Gi). She has also earned gold medals at the Pan Ams, American Nationals, Euros and two UAEJJF Grand Slams — all at black belt. She has many more titles at the lower belts.
Finding Jiu-Jitsu And Her Rightful Place
Born on Feb. 10, 1996, De Jesus started taking Jiu Jitsu classes for medical and weight loss reasons at the age of 13. Her first professor was Claudio Felix, who promoted her to blue and purple belts. Her interest in competing only started when she visited the academy where her boyfriend (now husband, Manuel Ribamar) attended. Projeto Social Lutando Pelo Bem (“Social Project Fighting for Good “) was Cicero Costha‘s social project and academy, where high-level competitors were aplenty. Leandro Lo and Paulo and João Miyao among the most notable.
Champion
The switch paid off. She had a stellar run at brown belt, medaling at the highest levels of competition. Before that, she started placing on the podium at purple belt including winning both the Pan Ams (“Pans”and the Worlds in 2015.
Her collection of gold medals at purple and brown belts include, but are not limited to: Worlds (2015, purple; 2016 brown – double-gold), World No-Gi (2015, brown – double-gold), UAEJJF Abu Dhabi World Pro (2016, brown), Pan Ams (2015, purple), CBJJ Brazilian Nationals (2014 and 2015, purple; 2016, brown).
Black Belt
De Jesus was promoted to black belt at the podium of the Worlds in 2016, where she earned double-gold.
“Marital” Art
De Jesus got married to her long-time boyfriend Ribamar in August of 2017. Together, they teach at Rodrigo Pinheiro BJJ in Boerne, Texas.
Watch Third Coast Grappling: Kumite 7 on September 26 to see who will reign as the “Queen of the Kumite.” Check back here for the other profiles as well as the preview, results and reviews.
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