Gabriel and his older brother, Rafael, co-founded Marangoni BJJ in 2008. Gabriel was first introduced to BJJ at the age of 13. However, it was not until a year later—after watching a demonstration class at his school—that he was inspired to fully dedicate himself to the sport. He began training rigorously, practicing three times a day, six days a week, and worked tirelessly to earn the rank of Black Belt by the age of 19, achieving this remarkable milestone in just 4 years and 8 months.

Gabriel’s BJJ development was guided by and nurtured under the careful tutelage of his older brother, Rafael. On his journey to international prominence, Gabriel’s path was strongly influenced by 12-time world champion Caio Terra. To this day, he continues to compete under the Caio Terra Academy (CTA) flag as a testament to his sense of loyalty and unity.

Professor Marangoni has competed in and taught seminars in over 30 countries, sharing his expertise with thousands of students worldwide. In addition to his success as a competitor and instructor, he has also worked as a referee at some of the sport’s most prestigious events, including Worlds, Pan American, Europeans, Master Worlds, No-Gi Worlds, The Crown, and numerous Open tournaments organized by the IBJJF. Notably, he even refereed a recent tournament match featuring Mark Zuckerberg. Gabriel’s numerous national and international titles highlight his skill, dedication, and passion for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a highlight of his achievements are as follows:

Daniel is a certified USA Judo Coach with a deep passion for the art and philosophy of Judo. His journey began at the University of Florida Judo Club, where his dedication and leadership led him to become the club’s captain and president. Over the years, Daniel has honed his skills through extensive training trips to Japan and across the United States, gaining a wealth of experience and insight into the sport.

As an instructor, Daniel is committed to upholding Judo’s core principles, including Jigoro Kano’s concepts of mutual benefit and welfare and maximum efficiency. His teaching approach emphasizes safety and systematic progression, particularly in No-Gi takedowns, ensuring students develop confidence and technical mastery.

With a vision to grow the Judo community, Daniel strives to inspire his students to embrace the discipline and values of Judo while fostering a supportive and inclusive environment.

Anh discovered his passion for Judo in his thirties in 2009 and earned the rank of Black Belt on August 5, 2018, from Cahill’s Judo Academy in Northern California. He began training in BJJ in 2013, but it wasn’t until 2022—under the guidance of Professor Marangoni—that he began to take the sport seriously. Anh found that BJJ is a discipline that can be learned and enjoyed as an older adult. Through a focus on technique and controlling the tempo, he realized it’s possible to play the sport with others 20 years younger while still having fun and benefiting from a motivational workout.

Outside of his passion for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Anh is a retired builder / architect. He continues to maintain an active interest in building sciences, design, and construction. Occasionally, he consults on design and construction projects, treating them more as a hobby than a profession.

Kelsey was introduced to jiu-jitsu in 2015 when a coworker discovered her wrestling background and brought her to Maui Jiu-Jitsu. There, she trained and began competing under Luis Heredia before returning to the mainland. She now trains in Utah under Chris Wells and looks forward to resuming competition as she completes her Doctorate of Physical Therapy.

Kelsey is a competitive athlete and coach specializing in grappling, rock climbing, and strength training for youth and adults. She strongly believes that participation in athletics has the power to positively transform lives on physical, social, and mental levels. She is passionate about sharing the benefits of training and community with others.