A Brazilian jiu-jitsu brown belt has ended years of silence with serious allegations against Checkmat co-founder Leandro Alcantara Vieira, while publicly challenging the organization for what she describes as institutional failures to act despite being informed more than two years ago.
Julia Angelica recently shared an account of what she characterizes as inappropriate conduct by Vieira that allegedly began when she was a minor competing at her first Pan American championship.
In correspondence Angelica shared publicly, which she says was sent to Checkmat leadership more than two years ago, she detailed how the relationship allegedly began inappropriately during that tournament trip. According to the account, unwelcome advances continued the following night, beginning what she describes as a coercive relationship that persisted into adulthood.
According to Angelica, the response from Checkmat leadership proved minimal. She received a brief message thanking her for feedback, followed by another where Vieira reportedly admitted he had not read the entire email because he was traveling and extended an invitation for an in person conversation to clear any misunderstandings.
“Not much to clear after I already sent you a detailed 4 page letter. Nothing more came of this,” Angelica commented.
She also referenced another member of the community who previously came forward with allegations. Alyssa Mila had shared her story publicly in 2021, stating she was 12 years old when an incident occurred involving an older teammate. In an Instagram story posted recently, Mila named Ricardo Vieira for the first time.
In her 2021 statement, Mila described approaching her jiu-jitsu community after the incident occurred. “I thought my professors who I was close to would have my back I thought parents who treated me like I was a daughter to them would stand by me, I thought people who said they were my friend would support me. I was wrong we were wrong,” she wrote. “I was bullied by adults, I was shamed by people in the JJ community, people who I called friends turned their back on me because loyalty to a patch on their Gi was more important.”
Mila recounted going to law enforcement and pursuing legal action, but described lasting consequences from the community response. “I was called a sl*t at 12 years old I was called a liar I was told I deserve what had happened to me. I was 12 years old!!!” she wrote.
Angelica referenced Mila’s case in her criticism of Checkmat. “This makes THREE CHECKMAT BLACK BELTS that I know have been made aware of inappropriate conduct that STILL remain part of the team,” she wrote.
Following the Leandro Vieira allegations both Checkmat and Leo Vieira made statements. It’s unclear if they will address these serious allgeations regarding Ricardo Vieira separately.
Mila’s statement:
