Lillian Marchand is one of the main names on the women’s competition team from Atos led by André Galvão, a solid group, strengthened by refined technique, friendship and family spirit. This season, Lillian, promoted to brown-belt on the Worlds after winning her purple-belt division, concluded the IBJJF Grand Slam with only gold medals. At the Brasileiros and the Pans, she won double gold. In an interview with VF Comunica, the talented competitor said that 2024 has been her golden year.
“2024 has been by far my favorite year. The biggest takeaway was my friendship with the dream team girls: Sarah, Jadeya, Emily, Alexa, Dania and our newest addition Alana. I feel that this year we all got so much closer that it made us stronger as a team, and it not only showed in our performances, but our lives. We’re always pushing each other to be better and we’re there for each other no matter what.”.
Still on the friendship among the Atos girls, Lillian points out her favorite memory as the experience at this year’s Euros, in Paris.
“I was the only one competing that day, but as soon as I was on the mat, the feeling of loneliness was gone because in the front row were my friends cheering so loud that I couldn’t help but look and smile. These girls are my family, and I’m so grateful for another year of traveling the world together and competing.”.
According to Lillian, gold medals won in Brazil were the most special of the season
Among the many good results, Lillian Marchand mentions the double gold at Brazilian Nationals, in Barueri, as the most significant title. A different gold medal, won amidst the passionate cheering of the Brazilian public. A more heated atmosphere that surprised the foreign athlete.
“If I had to pick, I would say that Brasileiros was the most special. Sarah and I both won our divisions and closed out in the open class, and we both had tough fights against new and former competitors. I faced a competitor that I had lost to, in a previous competition, in the finals , and I was losing by 2 points, almost giving up on myself. But I could hear my friends, my mom, and my professors, coaching Sarah and I. Even though there wasn’t a huge crowd and our team was small, the energy I felt was so big, and I overcame my doubts and won. It was such a special moment to share that victory with everyone because I felt that they all had a part in it too.”.
Friendship with Sarah Galvão is an important ally in Lillian Marchand’s success
At the Brazilian Nationals in São Paulo, the partnership with Sarah Galvão, the professor’s daughter, became even more evident. This is a relationship that Lillian makes a point of praising, because it directly reflects on her performance. A friendship that encourages her as an athlete and feeds her mental health, which also needs to be in good condition.
“Sarah is such an amazing athlete, but she’s an even better friend. I’d say we have a friendly competition with each other, and it makes me work even more because I see how dedicated she is to becoming the best version of herself. We train lots together, we lift together, we travel together, and we’ve even lived together.”.
Her beginnings in Jiu-Jitsu came from the need to learn self-defense
Jiu-Jitsu came into Lillian’s life as a way to make her life better. At the age of five, she was bullied and started practicing the sport. Today, as if it were yesterday, she even remembers the clothes she wore that day.
“My parents wanted to put me into some sort of martial art, for self defense, and thanks to a friend they heard about Jiu jitsu. I remember my very first trial class, I was wearing a cupcake shirt and purple pants, and I had so much fun. It’s been 13 years now, and I’m living the life that younger me could only dream of.”.
Before joining Atos, Lillian used to go to the team’s HQ as a training camp. Every year, she would train in San Diego for two weeks before the Pan Kids. In her first year as juvenile, she moved to the city to commit more to training.
“This is now my third year here, and there is nowhere like Atos. The people are what make it so special and surrounding yourself with others who are chasing their dreams really inspires you to do the same.”.
The AJP World Pro is yet another competition that could be included in Lillian Marchand’s golden season. In the tournament, which mixes brown and black-belt competitors in the same bracket, the athlete sees another excellent opportunity to test her skills.
“I have been staying active and I recently competed in the Rio Grand Slam with Sarah. Next, I will be competing in the World Pro, because it’s a great opportunity to test myself not only against brown-belts but also black-belts. My goal is to grow my game and improve as much as I can before next year and in the future as a black-belt.”.
