15-Year-Old Jonny Mezheritskiy Wins 145-Lb Sub on the Shore Championship

Jonny Mezheritskiy competing against Vinicius Inacio in the Sub on the Shore championship final

At just 15 years old, 10th Planet Oakland’s Jonny Mezheritskiy delivered one of the standout performances of his young career, winning the 145-pound Sub on the Shore championship by submitting every opponent he faced.

Jonny entered the division as a blue belt weighing approximately 130 pounds, giving up significant size and experience to competitors competing at the 145-pound limit.

His championship run culminated in a finals match against Vinicius Inacio, a highly decorated brown belt and standout young athlete under legendary coach André Galvão.

Inacio would compile an exceptional résumé at brown belt, becoming an IBJJF World Champion, IBJJF Pan Champion, IBJJF No-Gi World Champion and IBJJF No-Gi Pan Champion.

Jonny was facing a considerably more experienced opponent while also being the younger, smaller and lower-ranked athlete.

He took the championship match into overtime and submitted Inacio to win the 145-pound title.

The performance embodied one of the core principles Professor Michael Hillebrand has emphasized throughout Jonny’s development:

Technique can overcome physical advantages.

It’s a philosophy Hillebrand adopted in part through his longtime friendship, mentorship and training relationship with Caio Terra, one of the smaller athletes to reach the highest levels of Jiu Jitsu.

At 10th Planet Oakland, that philosophy means developing Jiu Jitsu around technical precision, intelligent problem-solving and hard work rather than depending on size or strength. Athletes are encouraged to build technique that continues to work even when the person across from them is bigger, stronger or more experienced.

Jonny’s championship run was a powerful example of that philosophy in action.

He wasn’t the biggest athlete in the division. He wasn’t the highest belt. And at 15 years old, he certainly wasn’t the most experienced.

He submitted every opponent anyway.

15 years old. Blue belt. Approximately 130 pounds. 145-pound division. Every opponent submitted.