Master - 6th Degree Black Belt

David Kama

Dave Kama has been a student of Jiu Jitsu since the mid 1980s. He was fortunate enough to begin his journey learning in the “Gracie Garage” in Torrance, CA

Professor - 4th Degree Black Belt

Fernando Costa

Professor Fernando Costa has been training as a dedicated student under the Gracie system since 1991. He received his black belt in 2008, and now is a 2nd degree black belt under David Kama / Rickson Gracie Jiu Jitsu.

Professor - 3rd Degree Black Belt

Ryan Young

Professor Ryan began his journey under Master Rickson’s older brother, Grand Master Relson Gracie in 1989. Upon moving to California in 1992, he began training at The Gracie Academy in Torrance, where he met Dave Kama. 

Professor - Black Belt

Zack Womack

Oklahoma born and raised, Prof Zack makes his living as a Division I NCAA Football Sports and Conditioning Coach. Given the stresses as a young college football coach, Zack took up Gracie Jiu-Jitsu as a hobby while coaching at UNC Chapel Hill where he earned his blue belt. ...

Professor - Black Belt

Greg Hayashi

Started Kodokan judo in elementary school in Japan.  Became a member of the junior high school Judo team, continuing into high school and received Judo Black belt at 16yrs old....

Professor - Black Belt

Mike Saito

A construction contractor and avid fisherman, Mike began his training in Jiu-Jitsu at age 37 in August ‘09 at Prof Trevor Burnell’s Progressive Jiu-Jitsu in Vancouver, WA to better connect with his 10yr old son Caleb.....

Professor - Black Belt

Ken DaSilva

After moving to Texas in 2014, Ken started training under Professor Ryan Young after watching how and what Ryan taught his then 7-yr-old son.  Professor Ken is the primary instructor for our Austin campus, having opened Kama Jiu-Jitsu Austin in November of 2019.