Meet the Connecticut Instructors
Oswaldo Jurema
Oswaldo Jurema
Oswaldo Jurema
Head BJJ Instructor
Black Belt
Pablo Arroyo
Oswaldo Jurema
Oswaldo Jurema
BJJ Instructor
Black Belt
Stacey Kinney
Oswaldo Jurema
Stacey Kinney
BJJ / Kids BJJ Instructor
Black Belt
Eric Plourde
Mark Kaminski
Stacey Kinney
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BJJ / Kids BJJ Instructor
Black Belt
Mark Kaminski
Mark Kaminski
Mark Kaminski
Striking / MMA Instructor
Black Belt
Andi Sunseri
Mark Kaminski
Mark Kaminski
Kids BJJ Instructor
Brown Belt
Oswaldo Jurema
Black Belt
Oswaldo is the new coach at Jitsu Academy CT. He is a black belt under André Pederneiras of Nova União . Oswaldo is one of Danilo's long time friends and training partners from Brazil.
Oswaldo was born in the city of Rio de Janeiro and at the age of 2 he moved to a small town in the state of Rio de Janeiro called Teresopolis. He got to know Jiu Jitsu when he was just 6 years old. His first Master was Elias Martins, currently a red and white belt who still teaches Jiu Jitsu in its essence. The gym was right next to his dad's work, which allowed him to stay until the end of the day while he and his older brother trained. However, when his father quit his job, they left the gym. In 1995, Oswaldo returned to his training. At the time, a friend from his high school had just opened an academy. This friend was Professor Rodrigo Feijao, today one of the main trainers and high-level competitors on the Nova Uniao team.
The following year, Rodrigo and the multi-champion Robson Moura (Robinho), then purple and brown belts respectfully, decided to team up and opened a Nova Uniao Academy in Teresopolis. In Teresopolis, Oswaldo was promoted to blue (1996) and purple (1998) belts. He moved away from competitions and started training less often, prioritizing the Law course at the Catholic University of Petropolis.
Already graduated and living again in Rio de Janeiro, he returned to training with Master Andre Pederneiras in 2005.
At that time, still a purple belt, Oswaldo met his friend and teacher Danilo Cherman, with who he trained with consistently until he got his Black Belt.
By Master Dede, Oswaldo was promoted to Brown Belt (2006) and Black Belt (2008).
In 2013, Oswaldo and his younger brother opened their first gym called “DJ Bros Academy. The meaning of “DJ” is their full name Dias Jurema.
Pablo Arroyo
Black Belt
Pablo assists in teaching BJJ classes and drills, as well as aiding in promotion test preparation.
TITLES
IBJJF World Master Champion
2x IBJJF Pan American Champion
IBJJF European Champion
IBJJF NY Open Champion
IBJJF Boston Open Champion
BIO
Pablo began his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu journey in 2009. Since his rank at blue belt he has consistently achieved top 5 world rankings within his division. Along his path, he has competed in and won numerous championships, to include IBJJF, NAGA, Big Apple Open and local gym tournaments. Notably, Pablo is an IBJJF PANS Champion, IBJJF European Champion, IBJJF World Champion, IBJJF Toronto Open Champion, multiple time IBJJF New York Open Champion and multiple time IBJJF Boston Open Champion. Pablo is always eager to share knowledge and skill with everyone believing that we are only as good as our coaches mold us and teammates push us.
Stacey Kinney
Black Belt
Stacey is an assistant coach in the women’s BJJ classes, and also helps with promotion test preparation and technique class.
TITLES
IBJJF World Master Champion
IBJJF European Champion
IBJJF NY Open Champion
IBJJF Boston Champion
BIO
Stacey began training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2010 at the young age of 51. She is currently IBJJF ranked number 1 in the world within her division. She has competed in numerous championships to include IBJJF World Master Tournaments, IBJJF Boston Open, New York Open, New York Pro, Miami open and the Big Apple Open. Notably, Stacey is a two time IBJJF European Champion, and three time IBJJF World Champion. Stacey is a certified W.I.T.S. Personal Trainer and Sports Nutritionist. Stacey is a firm believer that anyone can participate in BJJ, but finding a balance with your life is key.
Eric Plourde
Black Belt
Eric teaches Saturday morning BJJ classes and assists in teaching our BJJ Kids classes.
TITLES
1x IBJJF World Master Silver Medalist
7X IBJJF Gold Medalist
1x IBJJF Double Gold Medalist
2x Gold State Tournament (Previously CTBJJF)
1x Tap Cancer Out Gold Medalist
BIO
Eric started training Tang Soo Do (a form of martial arts) at the young age of 6. He studied the martial art for 10 years, during which he began competing, and also received his black belt. Eric then began his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu journey with Danilo Cherman in 2013 at age 36. Eric has competed in numerous IBJJF tournaments, is a World Master Silver Medalist, and a 7x IBJJF Gold Medalist. Both of Eric’s young sons are following in their dad’s footsteps and are currently training BJJ in our Kids classes at Jitsu Academy CT.
Mark Kaminski
Brown Belt
Mark teaches our Tuesday / Thursday Striking/MMA classes.
TITLES
1X IBJJF PRO NYC Silver Medalist
1X Tap Cancer Out Gold Medalist
BIO
Mark started training BJJ and MMA under Danilo Cherman in 2009. Mark has always had a love for martial arts since he was a kid. His formal training started in high school where he wrestled for Newington High School. During his martial arts career, Mark has also studied Boxing/kickboxing and Wing Chun, all of which has helped teach Mark movement, rhythm, timing, and range. After decades of practicing martial arts, Mark has concluded that the point of martial arts is to elevate the quality of your life.
Andi Sunseri
Brown Belt
Andi assists in teaching our BJJ Kids classes.
TITLES
1X IBJJF World Master Champion
1x IBJJF World Master Silver Medalist
2X IBJJF Pan American Champion
5x IBJJF Boston Open Champion
BIO
Andi first stepped onto the mat and started training BJJ under Danilo and Jessica Cherman in 2014 at the age of 42. She enjoys competing and has participated in numerous IBJJF tournaments including; IBJJF World Masters, IBJJF Pan American Championship, IBJJF Boston Open, IBJJF NY Open, and IBJJF NY Pro. Most notably, she won gold as a purple belt at the IBJJF World Master Championship in Las Vegas in 2019.