WELCOME TO Alliance Jiu Jitsu
Learn a new martial art while getting fit and strong
Menu
We believe in resilience, we believe in long term process,
we believe in community
Why Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a practical grappling Martial Art that teaches self-defense while you get in shape. It uses leverage to create space or take away. Understanding how to manipulate/leverage your body will help you control bigger and stronger opponents.
With the constant grappling, a person will ultimately get stronger and fitter with time.
Why Alliance Jiu jitsu Wilmington
Well, the answer is simple: Alliance Jiu-Jitsu is one of the most successful and respected teams in the world, known for producing world champions through disciplined training, proven techniques, and a strong, supportive community , The black belt ProfessorJohn Martens, active competitor, and law enforcement officer under one of the best Jiu-Jitsu practitioners (Lucas Lepri), is there to teach classes every day.
We are constantly growing and learning.
Be a part of a more prominent family,
be a part of history.
Why It's a Lifestyle
From childhood to adulthood, it is the best martial art for street defense. It teaches you how to stay calm under pressure since its cornerstone is respect. Due to the constant drilling and rolling, we are constantly in sticky situations that may be uncomfortable for the untrained person, building strength and patience.
Formerly known as Shield Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, we’ve always been part of the Alliance Jiu-Jitsu team and are proud to represent it in the Wilmington and Leland NC area.
Meet our instructors
Johnny Martens
BLACK BELT / HEAD COACH
A native of Clarksville, TN, was introduced to martial arts at a young age, and when Johnny was 18, he enlisted into the Navy, where he served on active/reserve duty for 16 years. At the same time, he was stationed in Va Beach, where he was introduced to Muay Thai and no-gi jiu jitsu in 2009. Soon after, he was introduced to the gi and never looked back; Johnny has a passion for competition and loves fast automobiles. He also serves his community as a former police officer and is now serving as a School Resource Officer. Johnny has a passion for teaching people of all ages.
Pao Nino-Vargas
BROWN BELT / ASSISTANT COACH
Pao was born and raised in Colombia, South America, and began her jiujitsu journey in 2018, training in both gi and no-gi. She is a proud silver medalist in the 2024 No-Gi European Championships as a purple belt in the middleweight masters division, with her sights set on earning more titles in the future. Since 2021, Pao has shared her passion for the sport by teaching jiujitsu to kids, helping them build confidence, discipline, and technical skill on the mats. When she’s not coaching or training, Pao loves spending time with her family and her two French Bulldogs, Mochi and Tokio. A passionate cook and dedicated athlete, Pao lives and breathes jiujitsu, constantly working to evolve as both a competitor and a coach.
Wyatt Richardson
BLUE BELT / KIDS COACH
Coach – Kids Program | Bio coming soon
Brooke Richardson
BLUE BELT / KIDS COACH
I’ve been training jiu-jitsu for a little over two years, but my journey started when I first brought my then four-year-old to the little eagles at Allliance Jiu Jitsu Wilmington. After watching from the sidelines, I decided to give it a try myself. I was hooked—and exhausted—after my very first class. The combination of pushing myself physically while also being mentally challenged to learn something completely new was a thrill I haven’t grown tired of yet.
Since then, I’ve found an incredible community of training partners and friends at Alliance Jiu Jitsu Wilmington. About six months into training, I started helping with the kids’ class as a way to share the sport with my two young boys and have been helping coach our kids classes ever since. Eventually, I convinced my husband to give it a try too, and now jiu-jitsu has become a family sport for all of us to enjoy together.
Along the way, I’ve competed in two gi competitions and earned gold at both. As a woman who never considered herself particularly athletic—and who started a brand-new sport in her mid-thirties—I can confidently say: if I can do jiu-jitsu, anyone can!
Your journey starts here!
LELAND, NORTH CAROLINA
141 s Navassa rd Leland, NC 28451
Follow us:
© 2022 | Alliance Jiu-Jitsu Wilmington