OWNER | WORLD-CLASS BJJ COMPETITOR & PROFESSOR

Antonio R. Crivelari Junior, commonly known as Juninho Crivelari or Junior, is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Leo Vieira and the owner and head instructor of Checkmat Portland.

The nickname "Juninho" is a common Portuguese term in Brazil for those named Junior, and it has followed him throughout his career.

Born on June 7, 1984, in Jundiaí, São Paulo, Brazil, Crivelari developed an early interest in martial arts. At just seven years old, he began training in karate before transitioning to judo. While he enjoyed judo, the rise of No-Holds-Barred fighting—the predecessor to modern MMA—in the mid-1990s captivated him. Inspired by Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) fighters dominating events like the UFC and Vale Tudo Japan, he shifted his focus to BJJ, joining Coach Nilson Liboni’s gym in 1995. Liboni, a black belt under Grand Master Wilson Mattos, became Crivelari’s first instructor.

Deeply immersed in Jiu-Jitsu culture, Crivelari began assisting in Liboni’s classes as a teenager. By the time he earned his purple belt, he was already leading his own group of students. In August 2004, he was awarded his black belt by Nilson Liboni, who had promoted him through every rank. That same year, he opened his first academy in Jundiaí.

Through his connection with Robert Drysdale, a well-known grappler from nearby Itu, Crivelari met Leo Vieira in 2005. After training regularly with Vieira, he became affiliated with Brasa Clube de Jiu-Jitsu, which later evolved into Checkmat in 2008.

In 2016, Crivelari returned to competition, winning the IBJJF South American Championship that same year. He then traveled to Europe, where he won the IBJJF European Open in both Gi and No-Gi divisions. After competing in the United States, he went on to claim three No-Gi titles between 2017 and 2019. Following his competitive success, Crivelari relocated to California in 2017, where he taught at various academies and conducted seminars across the U.S.

In October 2020, Crivelari made a bold decision—he moved to Oregon to introduce his knowledge and Jiu-Jitsu to a new community, starting completely from zero. With no established student base, he worked tirelessly to share his experience and build a team from the ground up. By September 2021, he officially founded Checkmat Portland, operating inside Snap Fitness in Gresham, Oregon

In April 2024, Checkmat Portland reached a major milestone—opening its own dedicated location at the Columbia Gorge Outlets in Troutdale, Oregon. What started from nothing has now grown into a thriving martial arts academy.

Despite running a successful academy, Crivelari continues to compete at the highest level. He won gold at the 2023 IBJJF Portland Open, achieved double gold in the 2024 IBJJF Gi and Open Weight divisions, and placed third at the 2025 IBJJF European Championship. His dedication to both coaching and competing sets an inspiring example for his students, proving that growth and excellence in Jiu-Jitsu never stop.