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Luis 'Limao' Heredia

...was born at the epicenter of the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu expolosion. Luis began his life journey of Jiu-Jitsu at the age of 14. After bouncing around a few schools in Rio, he found his home at the world famous Gracie Humaita' School then run by Grandmaster Helio Gracie himself along with his sons Rickson and Royler. It was here that Luis would learn Gracie Jiu-Jitsu directly from the source. After years of training with the first family of Jiu-Jitsu, Luis became part fo the family and in the late 80's he would receive an honor even higher than the purple belt he then held. Instructor and friend Rickson Gracie would ask Luis to travel with him to America to join Rorian Gracie in spreading Jiu-Jitsu there. Luis would become the first purple belt in the United States. Luis would become the right hand of Rickson through the bulk of his BJJ and MMA career. 
  The things that make Luis stand out from the growing crowd of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gurus on the scene today is, uparalleled technical knowledge, experience, and a very spiritual view of Jiu-Jitsu. Luis is an avid surfer and lover of nature. He once gave the reason for choosing Hawaii as his home as, "Jiu-Jitsu is intuition and it can only be understood and developed when you are in connnection with natrue. The body, the mind, physics, gravity and nature are all working in harmony". The energy Luis brings to a seminar or interview is contagious and his students benefit from the experience.
  In 1995, Rickson asked Luis to be at his side in a Vale Tudo event in Japan where Rickson would defend his championship from the previous year. It was after this event, when Rickson observed Luis in evaluation for the Black Belt. Luis was charged with the daunting task of proving the efficiency and power of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu against a group of Japan's field of fighters from the fields of Judo, Jujitsu, Shooto, and wrestling. Luis rolled with 14 competitors through one continuous round and then rolled against 15 straight competitors for one continuous round. He prevailed in his trial by submitting every opponent!
  In the 15 years since Luis received his Black Belt, he has continued his jouney to perfection of the art by training with the masters of the art. Luis works extensively with Master Pedro Sauer, and trains with Rickson and Royler Gracie along with others around the world. Luis teaches at his academy in Haiku, HI called Maui Jiu-Jitsu and travels the globe teaching seminars and continuing the task of spreading Jiu-jitsu to the world.
  Luis is not only known as a great teacher and a technical master, but he is also a firerce competitor. He has racked up 5 Pan Am Championships as well as many other top level championships and top level finishes. In July of 2009, Luis returned to Brazil to compete for the first time in over 20 years! He competed in the Masters and Seniors Internationals in Rio de Janeiro and finished in 2nd place!.
  Maui Jiu-Jitsu and it's students are very proud to have a teachings of a master such as Luis "Limao" Heredia.
Tournament History
July 2009
Masters & Senior Internationals
Rio de Janeiro
2nd Place
Senior III Feather Weight
June 2009
Pan Ams
2nd Place Black Belt
Senior II Feather Weight Division
May 2008
Pan Ams
2nd Place Black Belt
Senior Featherweight Division
April 2007
Pan Ams
1st Place Black Belt
Senior Featherweight Division
April 2006
Pan Ams
1st Place Black Belt
Featherweight Division
April 2005
Pan Ams
1st Place Black Belt
Featherweight Division
April 2004
Pan Ams
1st Place Black Belt
Featherweight Division
2nd Place Black Belt
Open Division
April 2003
Pan American Games
1st Place Black Belt
Featherweight Division
2nd Place Black Belt
Open Division
April 2002
Fourth Copa Pacifica
1st Place Black Belt
Lightweight Division
February 2000
Seventh Pan American
3rd Place Black Belt
Master Division
August 2000
Second Rickson Gracie Association
2nd Place Black Belt
Lightweight Division
April 2000
Third Copa Pacifica
2nd Place Black Belt
Lightweight Division
April 1998
First Copa Pacifica
2nd Place Black Belt
Lightweight Division
January 1998
Pan American Games
2nd Place Black Belt (injury)
Lightweight Division
August 1997
First Annual Rickson Gracie Association
2nd Place Black Belt
Lightweight Division
July 1997
Fourth Annual Joe Moreira
1st Place Black Belt
Lightweight Division
June 1996
Second Pan American Games
2nd Place Black Belt
Lightweight Division
2nd Place Black Belt
Masters Open Division
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Maui Jiu Jitsu Academy offers classes in Haiku.

Haiku Classes
810 Haiku Rd., Unit #230
Haiku, Hawaii 96708
p. 808.575.9930

Lahaina Classes
ADG Maui
845 Wainee Street, # 109
Lahaina, Hawaii 96761
p. 808.661.1200

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© 2012 Maui Jiu Jitsu Academy     810 Haiku Road, Unit #230 Haiku, Hawaii  96708   p. 808.575.9930 ccrooke.com