Walk into Gracie Barra Chandler during a kids class and you will notice something immediately. It’s not noise, chaos, or the usual swirl of a busy youth program. It is focused and structured, with young athletes moving with the kind of purpose that comes from clear expectations and consistent guidance. The Chandler Kids Jiu Jitsu program grows confident, disciplined students because it is built on values that shape behavior. Integrity, honor, and discipline are not slogans here. They are practiced habits that become part of who these kids grow into.
Parents choose this academy because the culture is steady and intentional. Kids choose it because they feel respected, challenged, and included. Jiu jitsu may be the path that brings them here, but the real work happening on these mats is character development. Confidence rises, friendships form, responsibility becomes real, and skills, taught correctly and safely, deepen week by week.
Why Chandler’s Kids Program Stands Out
In many martial arts schools, the focus is primarily on techniques and belt progressions. At Gracie Barra Chandler, that is only the beginning. The program functions as a leadership system disguised as martial arts training. Kids learn to listen with intention, communicate with partners, follow instructions, and take ownership of their attitude and effort.
Every LC1 class begins with the Gracie Barra motto that starts with “As a Gracie Barra team member.” When the kids recite it together, they are reminded that they belong to something larger than themselves. The words become anchors for how they train, how they treat teammates, and how they handle challenges. Over months and years, these small actions become confidence, consistency, and emotional maturity.
Results follow that kind of foundation, and Chandler kids have proven it.
Our Rising Athletes
2025 has been one of the strongest competitive years in Chandler’s history. A standout among them is Luke Fidler, an Orange Belt whose season has been nothing short of remarkable. Luke earned his second IBJJF triple crown, becoming a multi-event World Champion across the Pan, Brazilian Nationals, and European circuits. He also captured the ADCC East Coast Trials title and won a super fight, reinforcing his position as one of the most disciplined, hard working young competitors in the country.
But Luke is not alone. Our program is filled with kids earning results through good habits and consistent effort.
Tres brought home medals across international stops with a Pan Gold and three European Golds, showing the kind of grit that makes coaches smile.
Laina collected two Pan Golds, a Brazilian Gold, and three European Golds, displaying a calm maturity uncommon for her age.
Murray stepped into major events and delivered strong wins with Gold performances at Pan and European tournaments, showing a steady composure that served him well under pressure. His approach is measured and disciplined, the kind of mindset that translates into long term success on and off the mats.
Fata, Mia, Sebastian, and Kaitlyn each captured Gold medals across divisions and events, reinforcing that our depth runs far deeper than one or two standout athletes. Their results highlight a culture where younger students grow quickly, older students lead by example, and everyone develops a sense of competitive maturity that shows up when it matters.
These results were earned by kids who train with intention, support their teammates, and learn to handle pressure with respect and humility. Whether they return home with medals or with lessons, they take something valuable from every experience. Over the course of a season, that accumulation of small wins, hard days, breakthroughs, and corrections shapes athletes who understand effort, accountability, and resilience.
And behind those moments stand a coaching staff deeply committed to the program. They invest in each student, challenge them appropriately, and keep the standard high so the kids know exactly what they are capable of when they step into big arenas.
Coaches and Leadership That Shape the PatH
Gracie Barra Chandler is guided by a leadership team that is both technically accomplished and fully invested in the youth program’s long term success.
Professor Paulo “Piu” Freire and Professor Lukinha Castro serve as the academy’s two head professors. Professor Paulo brings decades of experience and a teaching style built on structure, clarity, and strong team culture. Professor Lukinha has become a rising force of his own, earning multiple IBJJF titles and inspiring students with his steady competition drive and modern technical approach.
Our kids also benefit from the consistent dedication of Professor Ryan Fidler, among other coaches and professors, who invest a significant amount of their time into the development of the youth program. Their presence on the mats helps shape not only the kid’s technique but their confidence and overall discipline.
Our relationship with Gracie Barra Ahwatukee, led by Professor Luis Freire, brother to Professor Paulo, is very special to us at Chandler. The connection between the academies is strategic and intentional. Students cross train, share training partners, and work under unified teaching philosophies. This partnership strengthens both communities and gives young athletes more room to grow.
Training Opportunities Designed to Build Complete Athletes
As the program has expanded, so has the training schedule. This year we introduced a 5:30 am kids competition class twice a week, creating space for serious young athletes who thrive in a structured morning environment. The evening kids only competition class runs five days a week, building consistency, conditioning, and strategic training time.
Our partnership with GB Ahwatukee allows students to attend competition training at their school on Tuesdays and Thursdays. For the kids, it feels like being part of a larger tribe. For their development, it means new looks, new partners, and more time sharpening their game.
Homeschool families have found a perfect fit with the ESA friendly 10:30 am classes on Mondays and Wednesdays. These mid day sessions give students the ability to train consistently while working their school schedules around a positive physical outlet.
Another major upgrade is the Saturday wrestling class taught by Austin Pence, a former Penn State wrestler under Cael Sanderson. That addition has elevated the takedown confidence of our young athletes in a way that shows clearly in competition. The combination of wrestling and jiu jitsu creates well rounded grapplers prepared for every phase of the match.
Leadership Development Through Mentorship
One of the most meaningful parts of the Chandler Kids Jiu Jitsu Program is the internal mentorship structure. Advanced kids volunteer time in LC1 and LC2 classes, learning to teach, demonstrate techniques, and support younger students. It builds maturity, accountability, and genuine leadership.
Chandler also runs an internal private lesson program where these advanced kids offer discounted private sessions to younger teammates. The younger students get individual instruction. The older students learn to teach, manage time, and fund their own competition travel. It is one of the most powerful real world experience builders we offer, and the program has had tremendous success.
Sponsors Fueling Opportunities for Young Athletes
The strength of a youth program depends not only on training but on the opportunities available to its students. Gracie Barra Chandler is fortunate to have sponsors who believe in what this team represents.
Current sponsors include; Optimize You Health, Just Like Home Too, BloomKidz, Bell Bank, Wikilicious Chandler, Fortitude Gym HQ, Black Cloud Designs, and more committed for 2026.
Their support helps cover travel, equipment, tournament costs, and extended training opportunities that make national level success possible.
A special thank you goes to The Dream Guard Project, whose commitment will play a central role in the 2026 competition structure for both Gracie Barra Chandler and Gracie Barra Ahwatukee. This partnership opens doors for kids who might not otherwise have access to major competitive stages.
Building Young Leaders Through Jiu Jitsu
The mission at Gracie Barra Chandler has always been bigger than building champions. It is about raising kids who stand a little taller, speak a little clearer, and act with a bit more care for the people around them. Jiu jitsu is simply the foundation that helps that transformation happen.
Kids bow before stepping onto the mats. They shake hands after every roll. They learn to control their emotions under pressure, listen to feedback, stay humble, and keep going when things get tough. These skills follow them home, into school, and into friendships.
With expanded training, strategic partnerships, strong coaching, competition pathways, wrestling integration, sponsorship support, and a mentorship system unique to Chandler, the Chandler Kids Jiu Jitsu program has become one of the most complete youth martial arts environments in Arizona.
And the best part is that it is still growing.
Looking Ahead to 2026
The momentum from 2025 has been undeniable. We’re seeing more kids competing, more families involved, more students carrying their discipline and confidence into daily life, more collaboration between Chandler and Ahwatukee, and more opportunities opening through sponsors and The Dream Guard Project.
In 2026, the mission is straightforward. To strengthen the pathway, expand opportunity, lift more kids, and keep building leaders.
If you want your child in an environment where respect, discipline, hard work, and real results matter, Gracie Barra Chandler is the place to start. We may have one of the strongest youth jiu jitsu programs in the world, right here in Chandler, Arizona.
Book a class, check the schedule, and come see what a value driven jiu jitsu community can do for your child.
