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ABOUT JULIO CESAR “FOCA” FERNANDEZ NUNES

Julio Cesar “Foca” Fernandez Nunes was born and raised on the shores of Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Julio discovered his drive for competition through surfing. Spending endless hours on the board, “Foca” captured, twice, the Rio de Janeiro State Championship, became a 3-time Brazilian College Champion, Saquarema Champion, Pier Ipanema Junior Champion, and member of the Company Surf Competition Team and Brazilian Nuts Surf Competition Team.

It was during these endless hours in the water where friends dubbed him “Foca”, Portuguese for “Sea Lion”. It's a nickname that continues to follow and distinguish the wave-rider nearly 40 years later. Surfing has been and always will be a passion for Julio, yet he feels the challenges faced and lessons learned at the renowned Carlson Gracie Sr. Academy in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro truly shaped his life for the better.

Beginning his Jiu-Jitsu training under the great Grand Master Carlson Gracie Sr. at 17. Julio “Foca” competed in all Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournaments in Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Earning his black belt and representing the Carlson Gracie Sr. Jiu-Jitsu Competition Elite Team; Julio “Foca” went on to become a 5-Times Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu National Champion, 3-Times Rio de Janeiro State Champion and 2-Times IBJJF World Jiu-Jitsu Champion!

Julio Cesar "Foca" Fernandez Nunes is the only CBJJP (Confederacao Brasileira de Jiu-Jitsu Profissional), USBJJF (United States Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation) and IBJJF (International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation) Certified 7th Degree Coral Belt Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Self Defense Instructor (Rio de Janeiro, Brasil) under late Grand Master Carlson Gracie Sr. currently teaching in the USA.

Julio “Foca” is the co-founder of the BJJ REVOLUTION TEAM and co-author of the book “Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for Experts Only” with his late instructor Grand Master Carlson Gracie Sr. Julio "Foca" is also USA Boxing Certified Training Coach.

ABOUT RODRIGO MEDEIROS

Rodrigo was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. He started training in Judo when he was 5 years old and at 12 years old, he started training in Jiu-Jitsu, with Grand Master Carlson Gracie Sr. when he was promoted to the Black belt in 1996. Rodrigo is a 6th degree Black Belt under IBJJF/USBJJF rules and regulations.

Rodrigo has competed in over 120 different Jiu-Jitsu tournaments and almost 500 competition matches, most under IBJJF and USBJJF federation.

Rodrigo was Brazilian champion five times, from 1991-1995, US National Champion, 4-Times US Open Champion, 5-Times Pan American Champion, Asian Champion and 2-Times World Master Champion.

He was a member of Carlson's Elite Team. The famous team that ruled the sport in competition level for more than 2 decades in Brasil.

Rodrigo has been teaching the art of Jiu-Jitsu all over the world, since 1992, and had BJJ Schools in Rio (Brasil), Los Angeles (CA), Hong Kong (China) and for the last 22 years in San Diego, CA.

The enthusiasm that makes me to put the Gi on to train and teach, is to always place my mindset as a student mode. I genuinely believe that the beauty of BJJ is the continuous learning process, a journey that never ends. Mats are your classroom so be a student forever.

My academy is a temple that brings positive energy for people lives. BJJ is a Lifestyle that makes our community a better place to live and training programs that builds in our members discipline, respect, self-esteem and right attitudes. Keep Calm and Trust Jiu-Jitsu!

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