Our academy is run by Head Instructor, 3rd Degree Black Belt Gustavo Machado. We focus on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Gi and No Gi for children, women and men from all walks of life. Our instructors are ready to help you achieve your goals, whether it is fitness, self-defense, weight control, or competition training. Students are helpful with each other, and achieve great results in a short amount of time. Our goal at Gustavo Machado Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is to provide students with the very highest level of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu education in a safe, positive, and uplifting environment.
Gustavo “Guga” Machado was born on August 8, 1974 in Rio De Janeiro, Brasil. When he was fifteen, friends such as Tinguinha, Gordinho, Soneca, Soca, the late Ryan Gracie and others encouraged Gustavo to start training in Jiu-Jitsu. He began to practice at the Oficina do Corpo Academy under Professor Jean Jaques Machado.
Gustavo was soon promoted to the rank of Blue Belt at the age of sixteen. When Professor Jean Jaques Machado left Brazil, Gustavo began to train at the Gracie Barra Academy under Professor Carlos Gracie Jr. Gustavo quickly became a strong competitor, winning and placing in numerous tournaments throughout his study. At the age of nineteen, Gustavo was awarded his Purple Belt and began teaching under the authority of Professor Carlos Gracie Jr. In 1996 Gustavo received his Brown Belt. Two years later he began his journey to The United States to teach in Virginia. In the year 2000, Gustavo earned his Black Belt from Roberto Correa (Gordo), a Gracie Barra Head Instructor.
Gustavo Machado is the Head Instructor and proprietor of Gustavo Machado Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He has dedicated his life to teaching and spreading the understanding of the technique that he has mastered from his teachers in Brazil. There are many outstanding students at his academy in Virginia Beach, with a few embarking upon careers of their own as instructors. Gustavo has also teamed up with other academies along the East Coast to create a Gustavo Machado Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Team Association. Made up of both children and adults, the Gustavo Machado Team has become both nationally and internationally renowned with many champions on the mat.
In addition, Gustavo has had the opportunity to work with local law enforcement and special groups from the United States Navy and Army. Gustavo has worked extensively with Law Enforcement officers and Special Operations teams in Virginia Beach and Norfolk.
With his expertise as a teacher, Gustavo hopes to continue to change the lives of others through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, creating Black Belts both on and off the mat.