Pedro S. Valente

From OTMWiki

Pedro Valente is among a few select group of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu black belts under Gracie Jiu-Jitsu's creator, Grandmaster Helio Gracie. Pedro is the founder and owner of Valente Gracie Miami, one of the largest Martial Arts academies in Florida. Pedro has taught Jiu-Jitsu to several law enforcement officers from agencies such as the FBI, U.S. Customs, U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Southern Command, Miami Dade Special Response Teams, Miami Police Department, and many others.

At the age of 18, Pedro decided to move to the United States in order to attend the University of Miami School of Business Administration. Pedro continued his training by constantly traveling to the Gracie Academy in Rio de Janeiro. In 1994, Pedro received his Instructor Certification from the Gracie Academy in Torrance, California and started teaching classes in Miami. In 1995, with the help of Rorion and Royce Gracie, he founded a Jiu-Jitsu club at the University of Miami where he was able to teach several students and faculty members. In 1999, Pedro successfully completed the Jiu-Jitsu Professor's course and received his diploma and title of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Professor. This was a great accomplishment and honor in light of the fact that in 75 years only 25 people, including members of the Gracie family received this diploma from grandmaster Hélio Gracie. Pedro has taught Jiu-Jitsu to several law enforcement officers from agencies such as the FBI, U.S. Customs, U.S. Secret Service U.S. Southern Command, Miami Dade Special Response Teams, Miami Police Department, and many others. In addition to his Jiu-Jitsu skills, Pedro holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Miami.