Academy
CARLOS MELO
FOUNDER & HEAD INSTRUCTOR
IBJJF Certified
4th Degree Black Belt
Anthony Rutherford
MIDDAY & KIDS CLASS INSTRUCTOR
IBJJF Certified
Black Belt
KYLE HAND
WEEKEND CLASS INSTRUCTOR
2nd Degree Black Belt
ART PALACIOS
TAKEDOWN CLASS INSTRUCTOR
Black Belt
ART CANTU
MIDDAY CLASS INSTRUCTOR
IBJJF Certified
2nd Degree Black Belt
ANDY LAGUNES
EVENING CLASS INSTRUCTOR
Black Belt
Send us a message and we will reach out to you with more details about our school!
ABOUT US
Gilroy BJJ was founded in 2010 by Carlos “Wookie” Melo, who was able to build the foundation of the school as a fledgling club with a handful of students and lay the ground work for it to become the staple of South Santa Clara County California martial arts that it is known as today.
In 2016 Carlos Melo partnered with Morgan Chappell. Under the management of Carlos & Morgan Gilroy BJJ joined the Caio Terra Association in 2019, and the Academy made it through the 2020 pandemic. Even though it’s doors were closed to the public the school was able survive the shutdown and open its doors again in spring of 2021
In early 2022 Morgan Chappell moved to Nevada and Carlos Melo partnered with Anthony Rutherford. Carlos & Anthony make up the current leadership of Gilroy BJJ which looks to continue the rich tradition of maintaining the Academy as South Santa Clara County’s premier School for Self Defense, Law Enforcement training & Sport Jiu-Jitsu instruction.
ABOUT OUR FACILITY
- Over 1400 Square Feet of Mat Space
- High Quality 2 inch thick soft Dollamur Mats
- Large Display Video Monitor Round Timer
- Spacious Changing Room with cushioned seating inside
- Abundant spectator seating for Parents, Family, Friends & Visitors
- Oversized Pull Up Bar & 2 Peg Climbing Boards for Strength Training
- Lounge Area with comfortable seating for parents to wait during kids class
- Video Game Arcade for Kids to play while they wait for their parents to pick them up after class.
- Regulation sized Basketball Hoop
ABOUT OUR HEAD INSTRUCTOR CARLOS MELO
Main Achievements:
- IBJJF Masters World Champion (2013 Master 2)
- IBJJF Masters World Champion (2017 Master 2)
- IBJJF Masters World 3rd Place (2018 Master 3)
- IBJJF American National Champion (2012 Adult)
- IBJJF American National Champion (2013 Master 1)
- IBJJF American Nationals 3rd Place (2011 Adult)
- IBJJF World Champion (2009 brown)
- IBJJF Pans Champion (2009 brown)
- IBJJF World Championship 3rd Place (2008 brown)
- IBJJF Pans Championship 2nd Place (2008 brown)
- IBJJF World Championship 2nd Place (2007 purple)
Carlos Melo is a San Jose State University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a SJSU collegiate rugby team alumni. He captained the league’s All Star Team and played rugby at the club level. Carlos has spent the last 24 years in law enforcement as a San Jose police officer and has been training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu since 2003. He achieved a World Championship title in 2009 as a brown belt, competing in the adult division at the age of 32. In 2010 Carlos founded & opened Gilroy Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Gilroy California which has become South Santa Clara County’s premier Jiu-Jitsu Academy.
Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Francisco Mansor > Claudio Franca > Carlos Melo
WE ARE CTA GILROY
Gilroy BJJ is a Caio Terra Association Affiliate. We are proud to be a part of the best team in Jiu-Jitsu, lead by 12 time world Champion Professor Caio Terra. The Caio Terra Academy & Association Head Quarters is located in San Jose, California, 30 minutes north of the city of Gilroy & Gilroy Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Our Association with CTA provides our Students with special rates to drop in and attend classes at Caio Terra Association HQ, as well as special rates for CTA Online Courses. As an Association member Gilroy Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu will host seminars featuring CTA Jiu-Jitsu Professional Athletes like Caio Terra & Mason Fowler.