JIU JITSU PROFESSORS

Our Professors are trained in anatomy, physiology and nutrition. CPR certificate, scanned live, has up to 3 degrees of black belt in various martial arts. They understand that no two bodies are the same and work with you to get in shape at the right pace.

SPECIALIZATIONS
Black Belt Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 3rd Degree

Odilon “OJ” Domingues started his training in Brazil with an estimated black belt from Gracie-Barra, Professor Rey Perez (ACRE BRASIL) at age 12. In 1999 he moved to Northern California to train with Ralph “The Pitbull” Gracie. OJ began to refine his training with the founder of Triune BJJ, Black Belt 3rd grade, Professor Stan Kendrick and the founder of CIA Paulista Coral Belt Professor Waldomiro Perez Jr. After 11 years of arduous and dedicated training, OJ Completar his Black Belt in November 2009.

Some of the highlights of the OJ tournament:

• 1998 - 2nd State Cup Place, Rio Branco Acre, Brazil

• 1999 - 1st place in the Rio Acre Cup, Rio Branco Acre, Brazil

• 2002 - 1st Place Jiu Jitsu By The Sea, Santa Cruz, Ca

• 2003 - 3rd place Copa Pacifica, Los Angeles, Ca

• 2004 - 2nd place United Gracie, San Francisco, Ca

• 2004 - 1st place Gi California Open, Half Moon Bay, Ca

• 2005 - 3rd place at the Gi California Open, Half Moon Bay, Ca

• 2009 - 3rd place in the American Cup

• 2010- 2nd place in the International Black Belt Challenge by Joe Moreiras

• 2011- 1st place in the Golden Gate super international black belt fight.

• 2007, 2009 and 2011 - Referee Certified by CBJJ & IBJJF by the Brazilian Federation of Jiu Jitsu

• Rickson Gracie JJGF - 3rd degree black belt certificate

• USBJJF- black belt certificate

SPECIALIZATIONS
Black Belt Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 2nd Degree

Ernest Wong has over 25 years of diverse martial arts experience. He started studying Bok-fu (Kung-fu / Karate) first with Art Cantu and Phil Cepeda. His adventures then took him to San Jose State University, where he was a graduate student and performed both judo with Daniel Kikuchi and Wing Chun with Francis Der. From there, he trained and trained Boxing with Coach “Fast Eddie”, Kali with Guro Jeff Canion and Muay Thai with Dr. Nirmalya Bhowmick. Still looking for more training in martial arts, he started studying Brazilian Jiu-jitsu with teachers Ralph Gracie, Bobby Southworth, Tom Cissero and, lastly, Stan Kendrick, with whom he won his black belt in 2012. He continues his Jiu Journey -Jitsu under the tutelage of Professor OJ Domingues. His teaching method is progressive, friendly and technical (distributing physics and mathematics while sharing techniques). This provides an excellent and welcoming learning environment for Jiu-jitsu practitioners of all levels, from young to young at heart. Some of the highlights of Ernest's tournament:

• 2x consecutive silver medal at the United States Open in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu

• Silver medal in open weight kickboxing

SPECIALIZATIONS
Black Belt Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 1st Degree
Dance

Deb has danced professionally with several companies over her more than 30 years as a dancer. She is trained in classical ballet, jazz, modern, afro contemporary, Brazilian, pole dance and aerial dance. She started training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 1999 with the Gracie team under Kurt Osiander in SF and maintains her black belt with Clovis Silva won 2013 and a stripe in 2017. She has competed locally and in Pan American tournaments over the years, her love for the sport that keeps her on the mat. In addition, certified group fitness instructor since 1981, certified personal trainer, Expert pole dance and Pilates instructor.

Her knowledge and love for the movement shows itself with her students through enthusiasm and care. Working with the individual needs of her students, intuitively training them with her many years of experience as a movement instructor.

SPECIALIZATIONS
Black Belt Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 2nd Degree

Ken Edens Black Belt Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 2nd Degree Ken started training Jiu Jitsu back in Jan of 2003 at the age of 28. Ken had earlier studied karate, kung fu and kickboxing, but fell in love with Jiu Jitsu. He earned his black belt at Ronin Jiu Jitsu, and his first and second degrees under Professor OJ Domingues at Thrive. Ken’s primary focus is on no-gi grappling. He is very excited by all of the new developments within no-gi (especially leg locks), and endeavors to keep learning with his students. He believes that Jiu Jitsu is primarily a game of problem solving. It is a wonderful combination of critical thinking with physical skills. As a bonus, it is a great deal of fun ! At work, Ken focuses on financing clean energy projects and is particularly interested in waste to energy and sustainability. At home he tries to keep up with his two boys, loves to hike, read and spend time with family.

SPECIALIZATIONS
Brown belt Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Brown Belt Judo

Ashley Remy has been doing martial arts since 2009, starting first doing JUDO at New Mexico State University under Sensei Tinajero and Sensei Rue. After earning her brown belt, and instructing the NMSU Judo Club, Ashley started Jiu Jitsu under Professor Alan Stockman at the Carlson Gracie Academy in Indianapolis. Once she finished earning her master’s degree in science, she moved back to New Mexico and trained further at the Invictus Academy with Professors Kevin Bankers and Rick Mitchell. There, she started the academy’s kid’s program, growing ito to over 30 students. She has now been living here in California since 2018 training at Thrive and has earned her brown belt from Professor Oj Domingues. We are thrilled to have her part of our Thrive family.