Alexander Trans - The European BJJ Champion

From the cold northern heights of Denmark came a giant of the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world, Alexander Trans. He has become the most accomplished BJJ fighter with his devotion, hard work, and fierce passion for grappling. His numerous victories and titles, including the 7x IBJJF European Championship (3x in black belt division), Pan American Championship, Brasileiro (the first and only European male champion), and "Double Gold" at the IBJJF Worlds as a brown belt, have solidified his place in the history of BJJ. Furthermore, Alexander's journey is not just about winning titles; it's about his deep love and respect for the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and his dedication to sharing his thrilling passion with the upcoming grapplers.

Alexander Trans, a renowned martial artist, was born in Denmark in 1989. At 13, he started his journey in martial arts by training in traditional Jiu-Jitsu. Although he was not a passionate grappler since his early life. However, after 2 years of training on the mat, he developed a deep interest in the diverse techniques of Jiu-Jitsu. As his interest in martial arts grew, he started to discover Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with more enthusiasm and became obsessed about it.

In 2009, Alexander's passion for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu led him to join the Arte Suave gym in Copenhagen, which was Checkmate Team's Headquarters. There, he trained under the guidance of Shimon Mochizuki, attended three training sessions per day, and even traveled to Brazil to train with the legendary figures of BJJ including Rico Vieira, Bob Esponja, and Leo Vieira.

His grappling career really took off after he received sponsorships from Koral and Knockout Sports. These sponsorships were a big turning point for Trans, as they provided him with the financial support and resources he needed to take his training and competition to the next level.

With the support of Koral and Knockout Sports, Trans was able to compete in some of the biggest and most prestigious BJJ competitions, including the IBJJF World Championships and the ADCC (Abu Dhabi Combat Club) World Championships. He was also able to train with some of the best BJJ athletes and coaches in the world, which helped him improve his skills and develop new techniques.

Alexander Trans was promoted to the brown belt because of his hard work and dedication. He felt inspired by the appreciation he received that leveled up his morale to do something out of the box. He made a remarkable performance at the 2011 World Championships by winning all nine fights without awarding a single point to his opponents. In that year, Alexander won all the fights despite losing to Fabricio Werdum at the ADCC and became the most efficient brown belt athlete. 

Till November 2011, Alexander had achieved great on-mat success that helped him earn international recognition. Leo Vieira also recognized his outstanding efforts and accomplishments as a martial artist and awarded him the Black Belt.

In 2015, Alexander Trans made a significant career move by joining GF Team, a well-respected Jiu-Jitsu academy known for producing top-tier martial arts athletes. His move allowed him to continue his training and compete at the highest level of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He was known as the “cream of the crop” in the world of grappling since 2018 due to his outstanding performances.

Alexander Trans got a knee injury in 2015 that severely affected his training and competing routine and goals.

However, he was cut off from the mat for almost two years due to the mistreatment of his knee injury at Brazil. He said:

Trans further explained in his interview that after painful surgery, he decided to take this matter into his own hand and tried to examine the root cause behind the worst knee pain that I had ever encountered.

Alexander Trans's injury ordeal has taught valuable lessons to other grappling athletes who may be dealing with injuries. The biggest takeaway from Trans's story is that it's essential to listen to your body and respect its limits.

In case of injury, seeking immediate medical attention is crucial, and finding a qualified professional to handle the treatment is equally important.

In 2020,  After several years of training and competing, Trans decided to open his own Jiu-Jitsu academy Progresso Jiu-Jitsu in the United States, with the goal to promote Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as a martial art and a tool for personal growth, self-defense, and development.

Alexander Trans now teaches young grapplers at Progresso Jiu-Jitsu. He started his teaching career from 2009 in a public school in Abu Dhabi and later joined the GF team headquarters. With years of training and experience, he has developed his skills and techniques in Jiu-Jitsu and is now a well-respected instructor in the field. Many students have achieved success in competitions and have developed a deep appreciation for the art of Jiu-Jitsu under his honest guidance.

In an interview Alexander Trans said, when he looks back on his remarkable grappling career, he is filled with gratitude for the many individuals who have helped him along the way. From his coaches Leo Vieira and Ricardo Vieira to his training partners in Denmark and Brazil, including Chico Mendes and Helder Medeiros, Trans recognizes that his success has been a team effort. Their unwavering support and guidance have been instrumental in his development as a BJJ athlete and have helped him achieve his goals. Trans's accomplishments are a testament to the power of teamwork and the importance of having a strong support system in pursuit of one's dreams.

Alexander Trans is known for his humility, dedication, and love for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He is a skilled athlete and an accomplished Jiu-Jitsu instructor, having been a guest instructor at various seminars and events. He has won numerous competitions throughout his career and has proven himself to be a top-level competitor in the grappling sport. Despite his many achievements, Trans remains committed to his craft and continues to inspire others through his dedication and hard work.

Trans's passion for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is evident in his teaching and his commitment to personal growth and development. He emphasizes the importance of discipline, perseverance, and mental toughness in his training, and he always encourages his students to strive for excellence in all aspects of their lives. His dedication to martial arts and his desire to share his knowledge with others make him a true inspiration for aspiring martial artists.

In one of the most thrilling bouts of the 2022 IBJJF World Championship, 2nd-degree black belt Alexander Trans faced off against Joao Cizezki in the absolute division. From the very beginning, it was clear that Trans was in top form as he started rolling his opponent like a seasoned pro, swiftly establishing a dominant position.

Despite Cizezki's best efforts to escape Trans' strong grip, the seasoned black belt nullified all of his opponent's attempts by smoothly transitioning into a half-guard. The crowd was on the edge of their seats as both fighters battled it out with intense focus and determination.

But ultimately, it was Trans who emerged victorious with a perfectly executed armbar that left Cizezki no choice but to tap out. The crowd erupted into a thunderous roar as Trans celebrated his hard-fought victory and secured his place in the history books as a true Jiu-Jitsu legend.

The stage was set for an epic showdown at the IBJJF Final Championship of the ultra-heavyweight division as Alexander Trans faced off against Gabriel Araujo in the final round. Both grapplers brought their A-game, using their offensive and defensive skills to try and secure the title.

The fight began with Trans in a close guard position, quickly establishing control over Araujo. However, Araujo was not one to be easily defeated and managed to pass Tran’s powerful guard with incredible skill and technique.

But Trans was not to be deterred and quickly transitioned into a half-guard position, nullifying all of Araujo's attempts to gain a dominant position. The crowd was curious about the final result as both grapplers showcased their incredible athleticism and determination.

In the end, it was Trans who emerged victorious with a perfectly executed armbar submission, securing yet another major title in his renowned career. This memorable victory cemented his place as one of the greatest Jiu-Jitsu fighters ever.

Alexander Trans and Keenan Cornelius faced off in an intense fight at the Abu Dhabi World Pro Championship of 2015 and showcased an outstanding performance. From the very beginning, it was clear that Trans was in top form, attacking with zeal and thrill that left his opponent reeling.

Trans quickly established control over Keenan with his captivating close guard, keeping his opponent on the defensive and constantly threatening with a triangle choke. Keenan, however, was not one to back down and used his own impressive offensive and defensive skills to try and turn the tide in his favor.

The two grapplers battled it out with incredible intensity, enthusiasm, and focus, leaving the crowd breathless with every move. In the end, Trans won the match by points after the time of the match had finished.

The victory solidified Tran's place as one of the greatest champions in the world of Jiu-Jitsu, showcasing his incredible athleticism, strategy, and determination.

Alexander Trans v Matheus Luna / Nashville Open 2022

Alexander Trans v Salenco Coutinho / Atlanta Winter Open 2023

Alexander Trans vs Rodrigo Cavaca BJJ Worlds Ultra Heavy 2015

Photo Credit: @alexandertrans