Pedro Sauer
Master Pedro Sauer was born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil where he began training jiu-jitsu at the age of 15 alongside his friend Rickson Gracie and the other Gracie bothers in the garage Grandmaster Helio Gracie. From his first encounter with Gracie Jiu Jitsu he was convinced that it was the most effective martial art ever created. Master Sauer received his black belt from Rickson Gracie and Helio Gracie in 1985. He is one of only 16 black belts awarded by Grandmaster Helio Gracie.
In 1990, Master Sauer moved to California with the Gracie brothers as part of the first Gracie Jiu-Jitsu instructors in the United States, and was only one of two Gracie Jiu-Jitsu instructors that were not part of the Gracie family. 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. He remained in Utah for many years and grew his association to one of the oldest, largest, and most respected Associations in the world in which he quickly became known for his kindness, meticulous approach, and eye for Technical detail in his Jiu Jitsu.
Over the years his name has become synonymous with fluidity and technical precision. He is frequently mentioned on television and featured in martial arts magazines. On May 17, 2005, Pedro Sauer was voted "Best of the Best Brazilian Jiu‐Jitsu Instructor" in a worldwide poll.
In 2006, Master Sauer moved again, this time to Herndon, Virginia, where he opened One Spirit Martial Arts Academy and set up the world headquarters for his Association. He is currently an eighth degree black belt which he received from Grandmaster Helio Gracie and Master Rickson Gracie and travels the world teaching workshops and seminars. Master Sauer is well-known as one of the best jiu-jitsu instructors in the world.
In 1990, Master Sauer moved to California with the Gracie brothers as part of the first Gracie Jiu-Jitsu instructors in the United States, and was only one of two Gracie Jiu-Jitsu instructors that were not part of the Gracie family. 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. He remained in Utah for many years and grew his association to one of the oldest, largest, and most respected Associations in the world in which he quickly became known for his kindness, meticulous approach, and eye for Technical detail in his Jiu Jitsu.
Over the years his name has become synonymous with fluidity and technical precision. He is frequently mentioned on television and featured in martial arts magazines. On May 17, 2005, Pedro Sauer was voted "Best of the Best Brazilian Jiu‐Jitsu Instructor" in a worldwide poll.
In 2006, Master Sauer moved again, this time to Herndon, Virginia, where he opened One Spirit Martial Arts Academy and set up the world headquarters for his Association. He is currently an eighth degree black belt which he received from Grandmaster Helio Gracie and Master Rickson Gracie and travels the world teaching workshops and seminars. Master Sauer is well-known as one of the best jiu-jitsu instructors in the world.
Thiago Bertoni - Head Instructor -
Thiago Bertoni started training jiu-jitsu at the age of 16 in Salt Lake City, Utah, under the supervision of Master Pedro Sauer, 8th degree black belt (red and black belt) who have learned straight from the source, Grand Master Helio Gracie himself and his childhood friend, the legendary Master Rickson Gracie.
During his trajectory, Thiago travelled teaching and competing in jiu-jitsu all around the globe as Brazil,Colombia, USA, Kuwait, Thailand, Singapore, Scotland, Greece, Italy and on.
When in Brazil, Thiago studied the art at what is considered the temple of jiu-jitsu, Gracie Humaita (GM Helio Gracie school) in Rio de Janeiro and had the privilege to learn from Master Rolker Gracie and Royler Gracie for years, though the biggest influence out of the Gracie family in Thiago's jiu-jitsu was Grandmaster Relson Gracie, who at that time was just promoted Red Belt by his older brother GM Rorion Gacie (all Helio Gracie's sons). Thiago was lucky to have spent enough time with GM Relson Gracie at Pedro Sauer's house up in the mountains of Rio, Petropolis, learning all the Gracie lifestyle, from solid Self defense to ways of eating (Gracie Diet) and encountering life as a Gracie member.
The year of 2012 Thiago received his Back Belt by the hands of Master Pedro Sauer, who has been a mentor and a father figure throughout his journey, becoming the first Brazilian to receive a black belt under Master Pedro Sauer at his house in Petropolis, RJ, Brazil. Another remarkable achievement was to receive the second degree from Master Pedro Sauer and his master, the legendary Rickson Gracie at an event in Glasgow. Thiago now holds a third degree black belt and has been dedicating his teachings at Gracie jiu-jitsu Milano School in Italy for the past 2 years, where he found home away from home.
When in Brazil, Thiago studied the art at what is considered the temple of jiu-jitsu, Gracie Humaita (GM Helio Gracie school) in Rio de Janeiro and had the privilege to learn from Master Rolker Gracie and Royler Gracie for years, though the biggest influence out of the Gracie family in Thiago's jiu-jitsu was Grandmaster Relson Gracie, who at that time was just promoted Red Belt by his older brother GM Rorion Gacie (all Helio Gracie's sons). Thiago was lucky to have spent enough time with GM Relson Gracie at Pedro Sauer's house up in the mountains of Rio, Petropolis, learning all the Gracie lifestyle, from solid Self defense to ways of eating (Gracie Diet) and encountering life as a Gracie member.
The year of 2012 Thiago received his Back Belt by the hands of Master Pedro Sauer, who has been a mentor and a father figure throughout his journey, becoming the first Brazilian to receive a black belt under Master Pedro Sauer at his house in Petropolis, RJ, Brazil. Another remarkable achievement was to receive the second degree from Master Pedro Sauer and his master, the legendary Rickson Gracie at an event in Glasgow. Thiago now holds a third degree black belt and has been dedicating his teachings at Gracie jiu-jitsu Milano School in Italy for the past 2 years, where he found home away from home.
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Francesco Pignatelli - Instructor & GJJM Founder -
Francesco's journey in martial arts began when he was just a child. He started with Judo and, as a teenager, explored disciplines such as Savate, Boxing, and Karate. In 1992, he moved to London for his studies, where he met Master Yap Leong, who introduced him to the external styles of Kung Fu. Upon returning to Milan, Francesco was fortunate to meet Master Yang Lin Sheng, with whom he spent the next 10 years delving deeper into the internal styles of Kung Fu, particularly Yi Quan and Chen Taiji Quan. This journey eventually led him to discover Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.
Francesco is a certified instructor by Gracie University in Torrance, California, where he completed the required exams for the Instructor Certification Program (ICP) in person, participating in both annual sessions in 2019. That same year, he founded "Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Milano," in the building that still hosts the school today. Francesco received his “instructor bars” from Ryron Gracie.
He began practicing Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in 2011, attending various seminars across Europe. During this time, he met Grand Master Rorion Gracie, whom he invited to Milan for the first time in 2018. Francesco developed a sincere friendship with Grand Master Rorion and visited his home several times. There he had the chance to learn about and appreciate the Gracie Diet, a book he later translated into Italian. These visits also provided Francesco with the opportunity to train with Rorion and receive valuable advice on teaching the original self-defense techniques of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.
Francesco continued to teach according to Gracie University’s principles until January 2024, when he achieved the second stripe on his purple belt. He then joined the Pedro Sauer Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Association alongside Professor Thiago Bertoni. His friendship and daily training with Professor Bertoni have allowed Francesco to deepen, refine, and improve his Jiu-Jitsu, expanding his technical and strategic knowledge of this remarkable art.
Francesco is a certified instructor by Gracie University in Torrance, California, where he completed the required exams for the Instructor Certification Program (ICP) in person, participating in both annual sessions in 2019. That same year, he founded "Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Milano," in the building that still hosts the school today. Francesco received his “instructor bars” from Ryron Gracie.
He began practicing Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in 2011, attending various seminars across Europe. During this time, he met Grand Master Rorion Gracie, whom he invited to Milan for the first time in 2018. Francesco developed a sincere friendship with Grand Master Rorion and visited his home several times. There he had the chance to learn about and appreciate the Gracie Diet, a book he later translated into Italian. These visits also provided Francesco with the opportunity to train with Rorion and receive valuable advice on teaching the original self-defense techniques of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.
Francesco continued to teach according to Gracie University’s principles until January 2024, when he achieved the second stripe on his purple belt. He then joined the Pedro Sauer Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Association alongside Professor Thiago Bertoni. His friendship and daily training with Professor Bertoni have allowed Francesco to deepen, refine, and improve his Jiu-Jitsu, expanding his technical and strategic knowledge of this remarkable art.
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