Andy Murasaki

Andy Murasaki was born on March 26, 2000, in Saitama, Japan, to Brazilian parents of Japanese descent. Shortly after his birth, his family relocated to Brazil, where he spent most of his childhood. At age 8, Andy's father, Anderson Murasaki, introduced him to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, playing a crucial role in nurturing his passion and dedication to the martial art.

In his mid-teens, Murasaki committed to pursuing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu professionally. At 15 years old, he moved alone from Japan to the United States to access elite-level training. Initially training under renowned competitor and instructor Caio Terra, Murasaki earned his purple belt in late 2017. He later joined the prestigious Atos Academy in San Diego, California, training under the guidance of André Galvão and Angelica Galvão. On December 21, 2020, the Galvãos awarded him his black belt.

Andy Murasaki made an immediate impact at the black belt level by winning the 2021 EUG featherweight tournament in his debut. In a standout performance, he defeated veteran competitor Gianni Grippo via triangle submission after successfully passing Grippo's notoriously difficult guard—a feat achieved by only two other athletes in competition history. This victory firmly established Murasaki as a rising star in the competitive Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu scene.

In 2023, Murasaki strategically transitioned from middleweight to lightweight (76 kg) to enhance his speed, agility, and endurance. The decision quickly proved successful, as he captured the 75 kg division title at the 2023 Spyder Invitational in Seoul. In the final match against Natan Chueng, Murasaki employed a tactical guard-pull followed by a decisive sweep, demonstrating his strategic adaptability and technical precision.

Pressure Passing and Defensive Composure

Andy Murasaki is widely recognized for his relentless pressure-passing style and exceptional defensive maturity. He consistently displays veteran-like composure and patience, methodically dismantling opponents' guards and neutralizing their attacks.

Technical Versatility and Strategic Adaptability

Murasaki's technical versatility includes proficiency in various aspects of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, such as dynamic guard play (including advanced 'bolo' techniques), smash-passing, blitz passing, and takedowns. Known for intelligent mid-match adjustments, he effectively transitions between guard-pulling and sweeping tactics in high-stakes competitions. His dynamic, crowd-pleasing style has earned him admiration from fans and fellow competitors alike.