Alcenor Alves, a 57-year-old Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and longtime coach, has been sentenced by a Brazilian court to 178 years in prison after being convicted of SA on multiple athletes over more than a decade. The ruling, handed down following a lengthy investigation by Amazonas Police, concludes a legal process that began when three former students came forward in late 2024.
Alcenor Alves was initially arrested in November 2024 in Itajaí, Santa Catarina, where he was participating in a jiu-jitsu tournament at the time of his apprehension. The setting created a stark contrast, as an event built around competition and camaraderie became the location where one of the sport’s most serious abuse cases reached a turning point.
The allegations spanned roughly seven years, from 2011 to 2018, and involved athletes from economically vulnerable backgrounds. Investigators stated that Alves cultivated trust through calculated generosity, purchasing kimonos for students, covering travel expenses to competitions, and arranging accommodation. Authorities identified at least 12 men connected to the investigation, with six additional individuals waiting to provide formal statements at the time of his arrest.
The lead investigator emphasized that the case was supported by more than historical allegations.
“We do have material evidence in this regard, and I would also like to emphasize that he is an individual who knows he is wrong, but continues to do so, because these videos and photos we have are recent.”
That statement proved significant. It suggested the conduct had not ceased despite years having passed since the reported period of abuse.
The case gained momentum after three men, including Matheus Gabriel, filed formal complaints with the Child and Adolescent Protection Delegacy in Manaus. Their decision to speak publicly set a broader investigation in motion. Brazilian television network Globo later aired a detailed national report on the arrest, bringing the story to millions of viewers and prompting widespread calls for accountability.
The case also prompted action from the sport’s governing bodies. Both the IBJJF and CBJJ moved to ban Alcenor Alves from their organizations following his arrest. That decision drew scrutiny of its own. Brazilian jiu-jitsu champion and media personality Kyra Gracie publicly questioned whether such bans were applied consistently, raising concerns about potential double standards within the sport’s institutions.
The sentencing carries additional significance when viewed alongside a broader pattern of similar cases emerging from the same region. Within less than three years, three jiu-jitsu coaches operating in Amazonas were arrested on suspicion of s-xual offenses involving their own students. In June 2025, an unidentified instructor in Humaitá was detained following allegations involving at least five boys between the ages of seven and eleven inside his home-based academy. In April 2026, coach and civil police officer Melqui Galvão was apprehended in São Paulo after a 17-year-old female athlete reported abuse during a competition held abroad. That arrest drew national attention and reignited discussion surrounding athlete safety in Brazilian martial arts.
Jiu-jitsu’s close-knit coach-athlete relationships, the hierarchy of the belt system and the extended hours spent training together are often viewed as defining characteristics of the sport. These same elements, however, can create opportunities for exploitation by individuals with harmful intentions. Advocates argue that the sporting community has a responsibility to address these vulnerabilities before more athletes are harmed.
