At Just 26, 4x BJJ World Champ Guilherme Mendes Retires

The world of competitive grappling saw one of their greatest rising stars retire at the young age of 26 years old. After a few months of inactivity, four time world champion Guilherme Mendes has confirmed with Bloody Elbow that he is, in fact, retired.

Mendes posted a cryptic Instagram post on his account with an emotional caption, hinting towards retirement:

We all have different goals that we set up for our lives. When I started Jiu Jitsu at 12 years old my goal was to become really good at it, because I knew that being really good at something would provide me a chance to have a good future and build a family. When I got my black belt I realized that slowly my dream was turning into reality. Last year I won my 4th World title in the black belt division, the number that the IBJJF requires to make you eligible to enter the Jiu Jitsu Hall of Fame. My life has changed a lot and I feel very blessed to have the option to redirect my goals, dedicating myself to do something bigger than just competing. It’s a new chapter in my life and to achieve my goals I’ll put the same effort that I’ve put to become the athlete that I am today. I want to lead my team, become the best I can be as a leader and professor, work to create the best athletes in the sport, keep innovating the art and build a team of champions that people have never seen before. Today, this is what drives me forward. I know that winning another gold medal would feel good for the moment, would make me proud of myself one more time, but I’m ready to do something bigger now and I know that I can do it. || @rvcasport @shoyoroll @purps @bullterrierfightgear @aojacademy @teamatosjj || 4X

A photo posted by RAFAEL & GUILHERME MENDES (@mendesbros) on May 19, 2015 at 9:50am PDT

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