Thamires Aquino is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt under Master Júlio César Pereira and one of the premier female competitors of her generation. Representing GF Team (GFT), she has captured major titles on the international circuit, including the IBJJF World Championship, CBJJ Brazilian Nationals, and UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Tour – Rio de Janeiro. Thamires is also the twin sister of fellow accomplished jiu-jitsu competitor Jhenifer Aquino.

Full Name: Thamires Diógenes de Aquino

Lineage: Luiz França > Oswaldo Fadda> Monir Salomão > Julio Cesar Pereira > Thamires Aquino

Main Achievements (Black Belt):

• 1st Place – IBJJF World Championship (2024)
• 2nd Place – IBJJF Pan NoGi (2022)
• 3rd Place – IBJJF NoGi World Championship (2024)
• 1st Place – CBJJ Brazilian Nationals (2017)
• 1st Place – IBJJF Rio Fall Open (2017)
• 1st Place – CBJJ South American Championship (2016)
• 1st Place – UAEJJF Grand Slam, Miami (2020)
• 1st Place – UAEJJF Grand Slam, Rio de Janeiro (2016)
• 1st Place – UAEJJF Bento Gonçalves Pro (2017)
• 2nd Place – UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Pro (2019)
• 3rd Place – IBJJF World Championship (2018, 2017)
• 3rd Place – IBJJF European Open (2017)
• 3rd Place – UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Pro (2017)

Main Achievements (Colored Belts):

• 1st Place – IBJJF World Championship (2016 brown, 2015 purple)
• 1st Place – CBJJ Brazilian Nationals (2016 brown, 2015 purple, 2013 blue)
• 1st Place – CBJJ South American Championship (2015 purple)
• 1st Place – CBJJ Brazilian Team Nationals (2015 purple)
• 1st Place – IBJJF Rio Open (2014 purple)
• 1st Place – IBJJF São Paulo Open (2013, 2012 blue)
• 2nd Place – IBJJF São Paulo Open (2014 purple)
• 3rd Place – CBJJ Brazilian Nationals (2014 purple)
• 3rd Place – IBJJF Rio BJJ Pro (2014 purple)

Biography

Born on September 6, 1994, in São Paulo, Brazil, Thamires began her martial arts journey at age 11 with capoeira, the traditional Brazilian art focused on acrobatic kicks and fluid movement. She trained in capoeira for several years before discovering jiu-jitsu at age 14 while visiting her mother’s gym, where grappling classes were also held.

Curious about the art, Thamires took a trial class and immediately felt at home on the mats. Her first coach, André Ricardo da Silva (known in the jiu-jitsu community as “Garapa”), awarded her blue belt. It was at this level that she entered the competitive scene. In a 2016 interview with BJJ Heroes, she reflected:

“I always trained hard, and as a blue belt when I competed for the first time I lost. I was really affected by this, but at the same time it instilled in me the desire to train even harder and overcome myself so I wouldn’t lose or feel that way again.”  

This early setback fueled her drive. Seeking a more competitive environment, she relocated to Cia Paulista headquarters under Max Trombini (Garapa’s head coach), who promoted her to purple belt.

As a purple belt, Thamires moved to Rio de Janeiro to train at GF Team’s headquarters in Méier, where she continued her rapid progress. She received her brown belt on June 3, 2015, and her black belt on June 6, 2016, from Master Júlio César Pereira.

Fresh off her black belt promotion, Thamires wasted no time, securing two major titles within her first six months: the CBJJ South American Championship and the UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Grand Slam – Rio de Janeiro. Her career has since been marked by consistent excellence, culminating in her breakthrough IBJJF World Championship gold in 2024.