The biggest story in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community right now centers on the allegations against Andre Galvao. While those allegations initially struck some as far-fetched, the detailed accounts that emerged over the past week have shifted that perception dramatically. In hindsight, many within the community say warning signs existed long before, particularly surrounding the behavior of Andre’s brother, Gustavo Galvao.
Gustavo Galvao, who leads Atos Barcelona in Spain, has long been the subject of rumors alleging that he pursued multiple students at his academy while married. More alarming, however, are claims from two separate sources that he is currently in a relationship with a girl he allegedly met when she was just 14 years old.
Gustavo Galvao is presently dating Tamara Toros, a 21-year-old athlete who received her black belt in July 2025. In her promotion post, Toros reflected on the length of her training journey and her influences along the way. Gustavo Galvao is 42 years old.
7 years of relentless dedication, struggle, growth, and countless hours on the mats.
my professor @ggalvaobjj
as a person.
She thanked her father for introducing her to jiu-jitsu and expressed particular gratitude to Gustavo Galvao, praising his influence both on and off the mats.
That timeline has raised serious concerns. Competition records indicate Toros has been training for approximately seven years, placing the start of her jiu-jitsu journey around the age of 14. Images circulating online show Toros as a yellow belt training under Gustavo Galvao’s instruction. Two independent sources state she was 14 at the time. Under International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation rules, yellow belt is a youth rank with an upper age limit of 15, lending further weight to the timeline being scrutinized.
By 2019, Toros had reached orange belt and publicly thanked Gina Contel Galvao, Gustavo’s then-wife, for coaching her to a European title alongside Max Carvalho and Teresa Carvalho. Gustavo Galvao and Gina Contel Galvao have since separated.
Multiple sources say rumors about Gustavo Galvao dating students circulated within the BJJ community even during his marriage. Those whispers gained renewed attention following the recent allegations against his brother Andre Galvao.
The broader Atos organization is now facing its most serious crisis since its founding. Andre Galvao has been accused by Alexa Herse, who trained at Atos San Diego from a young age. In her public statement, Herse described a pattern of inappropriate conduct that allegedly occurred over a six-month period.
Particularly troubling to many was Herse’s claim that she sought help from Angelica Galvao, Andre’s wife, only to be told the following.
don’t bite the hand that feeds you.
Critics note this is not the first time the Galvaos have been accused of siding with an alleged perpetrator. A separate account claims they failed to act after being informed that a student had SA-ed a 12-year-old.
After days of public pressure and high-profile departures, Atos Jiu-Jitsu headquarters released a statement announcing that Andre Galvao and Angelica Galvao would be removed from all organizational roles.
The statement was met with skepticism.
To many observers, the emerging pattern, stretching from San Diego to Barcelona and from elite competitors to youth athletes, has forced uncomfortable but necessary questions about power, accountability and safeguarding within Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academies.
