Rodrigo Lopes

Black Belt - 2nd Degree

Rodrigo is is a 1st degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Marcio "Mamazinho" Laudier and a Certified Black Belt instructor of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Carlos Gracie Jr. and Gracie Barra. Rodrigo started learning Jiu-Jitsu in 1992 from Walter Mattos and Mario Sperry in Brazil. After moving to the United States in 1997, he began teaching in Seattle and then he became an instructor of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Rodrigo has competed in Brazil, California, Hawaii, and locally in the Northwest. In 2004 Rodrigo received his Black Belt promotion from Mamazhino after twelve years of training. The following April, 2005 he started Seattle Gracie Barra at the Tully's Academy and in December 2007 he started the Bellevue Gracie Barra Academy. Rodrigo was awarded his 1st Degree as a Gracie Barra Black Belt durring a visit by Professor Marcio Feitosa in August 2007.

Jesse Ruth

Black Belt

Jesse Ruth started training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Kickboxing in 2000 with PFS Rep Chris Anderson in Newport News, VA. He immediately began competing in grappling and various other martial arts competitions while also becoming more and more interested in Yoga and different ideas on exercise. He was promoted to blue belt before the end of his Navy enlistment in January 2001, and in April he moved to Chris Brennan's NG Academy in Irvine CA for five months of live in training in BJJ/MMA. After a summer in California, Jesse attended college in Ohio for four years and trained with Novia Unio BB Eduardo "Dudu" Barros, Pedro Sauer Rep Tony Rinaldi, BJJ & Submission Grappling Instructor Mike Demco. In fall of 2005 he again moved, and this time to Seattle. It was here that Jesse was honored to receive his black belt promotion in February 2009. Jesse can be reached at jesse@bjjseattle.com

Henryque Pofahl

Black Belt - 1st Degree

Henryque is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Frederico Pimentel by CBJJ(Confederacao Brasileira de Jiu Jitsu). When he was 8 years old he started training jiu-jitsu in Gracie Barra Goias, Brazil. He grew up and trained in this area and began improving his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu by participating in tournaments. He is a nine-time Goiano champion, a five-time Midwest champion, has won second place in the Brazilian jiu-jitsu championship and second place in the world championship. Since 1992 he has trained Judo with his father who is a Judo black belt under Sizuka Kitami, a Japanese immigrant in Brazil. In addition, Henryque trained Judo with Lhofei Shiozawa. He also practiced boxing, muay thai, karate, capoeira,yoga, and he is certified for CBJJ in a referee course. Currently, he has won first place at the Revolution tournament in both the GI and NO GI divisions, and he is the champion of the ADCC Northwest tournament 2009. He has developed his martial arts skills his entire life, and he is enjoying practicing and teaching Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Seattle. Henryque can be reached at henryquebcpofahl@hotmail.com or (425) 591-0009.

Kevin Smith

Black Belt

Kevin Smith is a black belt through the Gracie Barra Team. His Instructor Rodrigo Lopes has worked with Kevin for many years and has been a great inspiration as an instructor. Kevin has been involved in many types of martial arts, and has been teaching Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for the past 18 years. He was involved in bringing one of the first Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belts to Washington state in 1997, and has invested many years in training and volunteered support to keep Brazilian Jiu Jitsu going in Washington, which is now the biggest Martial Art in the world. After being absent from competition for the past ten years; Kevin recently competed in the Pan Am 2010 Jiu Jitsu Competition and placed 3rd in his division. Kevin also runs South Sound Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.