Matheus and Alicia Lutes have been dedicated to the sport for many years. Matheus originally started training in his home town in Brazil. He is currently a Black Belt under the legendary Marcelo Garcia and has spent the past 10 years of his life on the mats. He is a 5x World Champion and well-known competitor in the Jiu-Jitsu world. Matheus is considered one of the most prestigious athletes in his generation of grapplers. Alicia was training Muay-Thai when she discovered Jiu-Jitsu. Alicia began her journey in martial arts with the intention of learning self-defense. When she experienced her first Jiu-Jitsu class, she developed a great love for the sport and competing; she hasn’t looked back since.

Marcelo Garcia is a very prominent figure in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Submission Grappling. He is known worldwide as one of the best instructors and competitors in the sport. People come from all over the world to train with him and be one of his students because of his high level of skill, immense knowledge of Jiu Jitsu, attention to details, love for Jiu Jitsu, humor, kindness, and personality. Marcelo Jiu Jitsu Academy has been operating in NYC for the past 10 years. Everyone in the sport knows about his academy and the force that comes with him and his students. Alicia, Matheus, and Paulo have directly trained under Marcelo Garcia and strive to bring Mineola the same quality and service that the instructors experienced as being his students. Royal is very honored to be a Marcelo Garcia Association and to have the opportunity to continue his legacy.