Brazilian BJJ world champion Mica Galvao broke his silence this week in an emotional Instagram video, addressing his absence from social media and pledging his full support to those affected by the serious allegations surrounding his father and former coach, Melqui Galvao.
The 21-year-old opened the video by acknowledging the flood of messages he had received from fans and expressing gratitude for the support he and his family have received during what he described as an extraordinarily difficult period.
“I received a lot of messages from the fans. I have a lot of support here personally,” he said. “These moments of affection have been very important, because I had something I thought was going to happen in my life. I thought it was normal, and I could realize that it wasn’t even a bit normal.”
Galvao also confirmed that the Mica Jiu-Jitsu project he had announced earlier this month would not move forward. He had originally hoped the venture would provide a new home for displaced athletes and families following the collapse of BJJ College, but concluded that pressing ahead had become completely unviable given the circumstances.
A significant portion of the video saw Galvao speak about his personal experiences, reflecting on moments from his childhood and teenage years that he had only recently begun to process differently.
He described an environment where questioning authority was not welcomed and where he had been conditioned to follow orders without hesitation.
“I was trained to do certain things without thinking,” he said. “A lot of the time, I never even questioned what I was told to do. I just followed orders.”
He recalled specific memories that resurfaced after the allegations came to light, noting that what he had once accepted as normal no longer appeared that way once he began discussing it with his wife and mother.
“When I started talking with my brother, my mother, and my wife about these situations, I realized they weren’t normal at all,” he said.
Throughout the video, Galvao made clear that his priority now is standing beside those harmed by the situation.
“I just wanted to show my true identity to all the people involved. You are not alone, you have all the support in this world,” he said.
He also stressed that children must always feel protected from any form of abuse, whether physical, psychological, or s*xual, calling such harms irreversible.
Galvao expressed his belief that justice will ultimately prevail, and while he did not address the specific legal allegations in detail, he made clear he is aware of the gravity of the situation. He also acknowledged his mother’s strength throughout this ordeal, describing her as someone who had dedicated years to her family and had been deeply affected by the public commentary surrounding the case.
Galvao said he intends to return to competition and focus on his career, leaving open the possibility of building his own academy or brand in the future once circumstances allow.
[Editor’s Note: Quotes have been translated and edited for clarity and readability.]
