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STAFF

"Training is an investment in your success, My Team is here to help you succeed."
Kyoshi Randy McElwee, Owner / Director of GRACIE® Jiu Jitsu Athens Team Pedro Sauer.
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RYAN McELWEE

GENERAL MANAGER

ACADEMY CHIEF INSTRUCTOR, 

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Ryan McElwee is the co-owner / General Manager and Chief Instructor of GRACIE® Jiu Jitsu Athens - Team Pedro Sauer at American Black Belt Academy. Ryan teaches the Children, Teens, Adult Beginner and Intermediate Jiu Jitsu and Martial Arts classes, as well. He is also Chief Instructor for the Keysi Reality Self Defense program under Justo Diguez. He is a Gracie Jiu Jitsu Black Belt endorsed by Master Pedro Sauer, holds a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Okawa Te Bujutsu Kai Martial Arts, a 2nd Degree Brown Belt in Jinsendo Karate' under Sensei Toru Shimoji and is also an Official Certified Pedro Sauer Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Association Level 2 Instructor. He has attended the Dave Kovar Instructor College and is Level 3 Martial Arts Success Institute Instructor Certified. He has been studying martial arts since age 4 and is currently studying Jinsendo Karate under world famous Sensei Toru Shimoji . Shimoji Sensei is the Founder and Owner / Operator of Jinsendo Martial Arts and the home of our Affiliate Jiu Jitsu Program in Smyrna Georgia.  Smyrna Jiu Jitsu instructs the same great authentic GRACIE Jiu-Jitsu curriculum as our main academy. 

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GRACIE JIU-JITSU ATHENS ...... 

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Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Athens is a proud affiliate and member of the 

PEDRO SAUER BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU ASSOCIATION.

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Established in 2005, GRACIE Jiu Jitsu Athens has had a close connection to the Gracie Family since it's beginning and now stays connected to Authentic GRACIE Jiu Jitsu through Master Pedro Sauer.  He moved to California with the Gracie brothers as part of the first cohort of instructors to bring GRACIE Jiu-Jitsu to the United States.  Shortly after coming to California, he moved to Utah where he continued to make his mark in the jiu-jitsu world by teaching, and formed the Pedro Sauer Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Association. 

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