Melissa Cueto Explained

Melissa Cueto
Other Names:Melissa Stricker Cueto
Birth Date:1990 6, df=yes
Birth Place:Pelotas, Brazil
Weight Class:Medium Heavy −74 kg
Heavy −79.3 kg
Rank:BJJ black belt
Team:Alliance
Fighting Out Of:Alliance San Diego

Melissa Cueto (born 21 June 1990) is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) black belt competitor from Brazil. Cueto is a two-time IBJJF jiu-jitsu world champion and the 2022 Pan Jiu-Jitsu Medium Heavy Champion.[1] [2]

Early Career

Melissa Cueto was born on 21 June 1990, in Pelotas, Brazil. During her early adolescence, Cueto practiced taekwondo for three years, then at the age of 17, her parents enrolled her in Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ). Her first instructor was Antônio Pedro Dias (Kapincho), who awarded her all her belts from white to brown belt. After her relationship with Kapincho deteriorated she switched coach to Leonardo Morosetti of Thork Jiu-Jitsu.

Throughout her time as a purple belt, she became two-time South American champion, two-time Brazilian Champion, and earning two silver medals at the Brasileiros competition. Upon reaching the brown belt level, she won gold at both the Brasileiros and the World Championships, which led to her promotion to black belt in December 2018 under the guidance of her then-coach, Leonardo Morosetti. In 2019, she teamed up with Diego Unfer, a representative of the RMNU Association (Robson Moura Association) then in 2021, she joined Alliance Association, becoming a member of their team for international competitions.

Black belt career

2021-2022

As a black belt, she won her first IBJJF World Championship title in 2021, winning silver competing at the World IBJJF No-Gi.[3] the following year she dominated the heavyweight division at the 2022 Pan Jiu-Jitsu Championship where she won gold and bronze in the Openweight.

2023

In 2023 she became world champion for the second time winning the heavyweight and bronze in the openweight at the 2023 World Jiu-Jitsu Championship. Cueto was invited to compete in a women's heavyweight grand prix at BJJ Stars 11 on September 9, 2023.[4] She submitted Tamiris Silva in the opening round but lost on points to the eventual winner, Gabi Pessanha, in the semifinal.[5]

2024

Cueto won a gold medal in the heavyweight division and a bronze medal in the absolute division of the IBJJF European Championship on January 27, 2024.[6]

Cueto competed in a four-woman openweight tournament at Arte Suave Elite 32 on February 26, 2024.[7] She won her opening round match against Brittney Johnson by decision before losing to Thamara Ferreira by decision in the final.[8]

Cueto then won a gold medal in the absolute division and a silver medal in the heavyweight division of the IBJJF Orange County Open on April 21, 2024.[9]

Cueto won a bronze medal in the heavyweight division of the IBJJF World Championship 2024 on June 1, 2024.[10] She then won a gold medal in the heavyweight division and a silver medal in the absolute division at the IBJJF American National Championship 2024 on June 28, 2024.[11]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Melissa Stricker Cueto . BJJ Heroes . 13 December 2018 .
  2. Web site: Aggressive Female BJJ Black Belt – Melissa Cueto . Elite Sports . 2022-11-09 .
  3. Web site: 1999-02-22 . Athlete Results Melissa Cueto . Athlete Results.
  4. Web site: Burne . Kathrine . Full Lineup Confirmed For BJJ Stars 11 . Jitsmagazine . 13 August 2023.
  5. Web site: BJJ Stars 11 Full Results And Review . Jitsmagazine . 11 September 2023.
  6. Web site: IBJJF European Championship 2024 Full Results And Review . Jitsmagazine . 28 January 2024.
  7. Web site: Jones . Phil . Superb Women’s Openweight Tournament Announced For Arte Suave Elite 32 . Jitsmagazine . 22 February 2024.
  8. Web site: Arte Suave Elite 32 Tournament Produces Great Highlights . Jitsmagazine . 27 February 2024.
  9. Web site: Top American Competitors Take To The Mats At IBJJF Orange County Open 2024 . Jitsmagazine . 23 April 2024.
  10. Web site: IBJJF World Championship 2024 Full Results And Review . Jitsmagazine . 20 June 2024.
  11. Web site: IBJJF American National Championship 2024 Full Results And Review . Jitsmagazine . 31 July 2024.