Mica Galvao has broken his silence about his controversial PED violation offering a detailed account that places significant responsibility on the adults who guided him during his teenage years. The revelations come in FloGrappling’s new documentary “The Year Of Mica” where the young champion provides his most candid discussion yet about the incident that temporarily derailed his meteoric rise.
Speaking openly about the circumstances surrounding his positive test Galvao describes being approached by medical professionals who claimed his hormone levels required intervention.
“When I went to US, they told me that my testosterone level was very low. They said that they could help me up just to bring it back to normal,” Galvao explains in the documentary. “For me, I didn’t understand a lot. I was 17. I was just trying to compete and I put my trust in into the doctor at that time and I think it was a mistake.”
The Brazilian prodigy who became the youngest IBJJF black belt world champion in history when he captured the title at 18 emphasizes his inexperience and vulnerability at the time. His account suggests he was manipulated by individuals who should have provided better guidance to someone so young navigating the pressures of elite competition.
Galvao‘s perspective highlights broader issues within combat sports where young athletes often depend entirely on coaches medical staff and advisors to make critical decisions about their careers and health. His case illustrates the particular risks faced by teenage competitors who may lack the knowledge to fully understand the consequences of treatments presented to them as medically necessary.
“The truth is jiu-jitsu is still a sport that is very amateur. We don’t have a lot of concern about talking about [testing],” Galvao states in the film. “That athlete is considered 100% responsible for anything that goes into your body. And at the time I didn’t know I don’t use anything illegal. I don’t do anything that makes someone an advantage.”
The documentary reveals Galvao‘s frustration with what he sees as a culture that normalizes questionable practices while leaving young athletes to face the consequences alone. His comments suggest he feels unfairly burdened by decisions made when he was still a minor under the influence of trusted adults.
Following his suspension Galvao mounted an impressive comeback campaign in 2024 systematically reclaiming his position at the sport’s pinnacle. He captured multiple prestigious titles including victories at the European Championships Pan Championships Brazilian Nationals and ultimately regained the IBJJF World Championship.
The young champion now advocates for greater education and transparency around testing issues particularly for younger competitors entering the sport.
“People think that it’s kind of normal for you to use stuff on jiu-jitsu. And I don’t want kids to grow up thinking about it,” Galvao declares. “I don’t want adults looking into it and say, ‘Oh, no. It’s normal. everybody’s on it. No, it shouldn’t be like that.”
However Galvao‘s narrative has sparked debate within the jiu-jitsu community. Some observers question whether his account fully acknowledges his role in the incident suggesting that his explanations come across as deflecting responsibility rather than accepting accountability for what happened.
The documentary’s portrayal of events has drawn mixed reactions with some viewing it as a genuine attempt at transparency while others see it as a carefully crafted public relations effort designed to clean up his image. Critics argue that regardless of outside influence elite athletes must ultimately take ownership of their decisions and their consequences.
