Rodrigo Junqueira - Founder / 3rd Degree Black Belt
Rodrigo Junqueira is the head instructor and academy owner from São Paulo, Brazil. He moved to the Pittsburgh area in 2004 and opened Team Junqueira Academy. He was awarded his black belt from Paulão Rezende in 2009. Rodrigo has built a large team over the years, and has coached students in the World Championships and Pan American Championships. Rodrigo strives to bring the best of Brazil to the Pittsburgh area through high level technical training.
Rodrigo is currently a third degree black belt and teaches the fundamentals and advanced classes.
Mike Linza - Black Belt, 1st Degree
Mike was promoted to black belt in December 2015. Before starting jiu jitsu, he was a two time NJCAA national qualifier in wrestling and has over 20 years of experience in wrestling. He also has a professional MMA record of 2-0 (amateur record of 6-0). Mike teaches the takedown and competition classes.
Kevin Goodwin - Black Belt, 1st Degree
Kevin has been training under Rodrigo Junqueira since 2008 and received his brown belt in 2014. On May 21, 2016, Kevin received his black belt. He is an avid competitor in Jiu Jitsu and grappling tournaments. While continually focused on his own growth and learning, he is equally passionate about introducing and sharing the art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to others. Kevin teaches the fundamentals and competition classes.
Kelly Labor - Black Belt
A jiu-jitsu player for several years, Kelly Labor recently started training under Rodrigo in August 2016. She teaches the children's classes and was promoted to black belt in December 2019. Kelly has competed in several major competitions around the country including, most recently, World Master tournament in Las Vegas.
Ken Sutton - Black Belt
Our Monday and Wednesday evening advanced class instructor, Ken, was awarded his black belt in December 2019 and has been training Gi jiu-jitsu since 2011 under Rodrigo. He originally started his martial arts training in MMA in 2007. Kenny has competed in various tournaments including World's and a host of local events.
Chris Dube - Brown Belt
Chris Dube is a brown belt who teaches the children's competition classes as well as the noon adult classes. Before joining Team Junqueira in 2015, Chris trained at Gracie Barra Orlando under Marcio Simas. Chris is also a former NCAA Division 1 athlete and is a black belt in Taekwondo under Grandmasters T.H. Kim and Young Bo Kong.
