Caio Terra

Born in Brazil in 1986, Caio Terra began his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey in the early 2000s after experiencing bullying at school. Initially hesitant and lacking motivation, Terra's mother strongly encouraged him to persist with training. Despite early reluctance, he quickly discovered a natural aptitude for the art, earning his blue belt under the expert guidance of renowned instructors Rodrigo "Comprido" Medeiros and Felipe Costa Vieira.

Terra's progression through the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ranks was remarkably swift. He received his black belt in July 2006, only three years after beginning formal training—one of the fastest promotions recorded in the sport. Awarded by legendary figures Reyson Gracie and Paulo Maurício Strauch, Terra's rapid advancement prompted the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) to implement new regulations requiring a minimum duration at brown belt before promotion to black belt.

Caio Terra is widely recognized for his philosophy, "Technique Conquers All," emphasizing precision, strategy, and technical mastery over physical strength and size. Competing primarily in the rooster-weight division (57.50 kg/127 lbs), Terra consistently challenged heavier opponents in absolute divisions, showcasing the effectiveness of his technical approach. Throughout his competitive career, he developed numerous innovative positions and techniques, significantly advancing the technical evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Terra is an outspoken advocate for clean competition, actively opposing the use of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His vocal stance contributed significantly to the IBJJF adopting stricter drug-testing policies, promoting fairness, integrity, and transparency within the sport.

After relocating to the United States in 2008, Terra founded the Caio Terra Association (CTA), dedicated to teaching, promoting, and advancing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu globally. In 2017, following an unprecedented tenth consecutive IBJJF No-Gi World title, Terra retired from no-gi competition to focus exclusively on coaching and academy development. Through CTA, he has mentored numerous champions, including Mikey Musumeci, the first American to win four IBJJF black belt world titles, as well as accomplished competitors Mason Fowler and Yuri Simoes.

In 2021, Terra faced significant health challenges following a severe hip injury sustained in a car accident, requiring surgical intervention. Despite this setback, he remained actively involved in teaching and coaching. By late 2023, Terra expressed interest in returning to high-level competition upon full recovery, underscoring his enduring competitive spirit. In 2020, he received his 4th-degree black belt, further solidifying his legacy within the sport.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has always been a family affair for Terra. His brother, Kim Terra, also became an accomplished black belt competitor. Additionally, Terra's mother played a pivotal role in his early training and competitive career, providing unwavering support and encouragement that significantly influenced his martial arts journey.