Head Instructor

Karel (“Karl”) Pravec Jr., Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt

15 years of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu experience.  During his training at the Renzo Gracie Academy, Karl has trained with and studied under some of the highest authorities in the art including Renzo Gracie, John Danaher, Rodrigo Gracie, Matt and Nick Serra, Ricardo Almeida & Shawn Williams.

Karl has studied martial arts, including Tae Kwon Do (3rd degree black belt) for over 22 years.

Karl started studying martial arts in 1986 under Master Byung Sung  Cha, reaching the rank of 3rd degree black belt in the World Tae Kwon Do Federation in 1995.  In the early 1990’s, while studying and teaching Tae Kwon Do, Karl has expanded his martial arts knowledge by attending numerous seminars, including Muy Thai, Jeet Kun Do and Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, incorporating the techniques into his martial arts arsenal.  Incorporating various martial arts in one’s training became known as mixed martial arts (MMA). 

After attending the 1st seminar on the East Coast given by the Gracie family (Helio, Rorion, Royler, Rickson and others), Karl was convinced of the effectiveness of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, which was further confirmed by the style’s success in the early mixed martial arts competitions.  Karl started taking regular classes in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the New York/New Jersey area when they first became available in 1993, when Craig Kukuk, the 1st American black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu moved to East Coast.  Shortly after, Renzo Gracie, one of the most successful and dynamic practitioners and teachers of the art moved from Brazil to open an academy with classes in New York and New Jersey, and Karl became one of Renzo’s original students.

Although Karl has only started competing recently, he has demonstrated the success of his style (focus on submissions) by winning:

1st Place  - 2006 Tenth Grapplers Quest West (Master Lightweight Division) – all matches won by submission

1st Place - 2007 NAGA World Championship (Advanced Director – Open Weight) – all matches won by
submission, lightest competitor in the division

Karl has a Bachelor’s degree from State University of New York (Albany) and Master’s degree from Columbia University.  The education and analytical skills have helped Karl continue growing both as a practitioner and teacher of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Assistant Instructors

 

David Cheung, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt

Dave is 5th Degree Black Belt Shito-Ryu Karate, and has been practicing martial arts for over 20 years.
 
USKF and AAU

• 2 Time all American
• 2 Time National champion
• 2 Time Silver Medalist at Nationals
• 2 Time Regional Champion
• Multiple medals at Regional Champions

Derek Picinich, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Brown Belt

Derek has a background in wrestling and jiu-jitsu.  Derek has eight years of wrestling experience and six years of jiu-jitsu experience in which he holds the rank of a brown belt.  Derek was a Montclair State University wrestler for two years where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science. To this day he continues his wrestling background as a high school assistant coach.  He is a frequent Grappler’s Quest competitor who is always trying to expand his knowledge.  Derek has also trained with and under Renzo Gracie, Jaime Cruz, Matt Serra, and American Top Team. 

Derek is an excellent competitor:

• 2nd Place - 2008 Grapplers Quest All-Star Pro Challenge (U.S. Nationals)
  
• 1st Place - Grapplers Quest Beast of the East II (Advanced Men’s No-Gi Heavyweight 200-209.9 lbs.)
• 1st Place – Grapplers Quest - The Official North American Grappling Championships (Advanced Men’s No-Gi Heavyweight 200-209.9 lbs.)
• 1st Place – North American Submission Grappling Championship (Advanced Men’s No-Gi Light-Heavyweight 190-199.9 lbs.)
• 2nd Place – 2006 Grapplers Quest & Copa Atlantica Weekend (Advanced Men’s No-Gi Light-Heavyweight 190-199.9 lbs.)
• 3rd Place – Grapplers Quest Beast of the East (Advanced Men’s No-Gi Light-Heavyweight 190-199.9 lbs.)

Brian Long, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Brown Belt

Brian is the Chief Instructor of Bob Long’s School of Self Defense. 

Brian Long is one of the best strikers and all around martial artist in the United States. Brian is an accomplished Kick-Boxer, Wrestler, Judo player, Grappler (Brazilian/Gracie Jiu-Jitsu) and a 6th dan Black Belt Master Instructor in the practical art form of self-defense Goshin Do Kempo Nagai Ryu Karate and Samurai Jiu-Jitsu Nagai Ryu.

Brian is also a detective with the NJ State Police and has been involved in training numerous state and local law enforcement officers.  His career and martial background demands that he is in peak physical condition.

Brian is a 8x Grapplers’ Quest medalist, and in kickboxing – Garden State Middleweight Amateur Champion and K.I.C.K. Regional Amateur Middleweight Champion.  For more information on Brian, go to www.shihanboblong.com






Joe Hlavenka, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Purple Belt

Joe has been studying Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for over 5 years, under Renzo Gracie, Jamie Cruz and Karl Pravec.  Joe is an excellent teacher - he frequently teaches the Saturday basic class, where the focus is on fundamental techniques and movement, essential to building a strong foundation in jiu-jitsu.

Joe has a Bachelor's degree from New York University.