Our Team:
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Silvio Duran - Founder - Black Belt 3rd Degree
Silvio is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Rodrigo Cavaca and Vitor ‘Shaolin‘ Ribeiro. Duran made a name for himself early on in his career, when he was revered as one of Brazil’s hottest prospects as a blue and purple belt, a status he would solidify as a black belt through his wins in many important events of the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF).
Major Accomplishments:
Worlds Masters Champion IBJJF (2025)
3x IBJJF Pan American No Gi Champion (2020 / 2022 / 2025)
2x IBJJF Pan American Gi Champion (2021 / 2026)
IBJJF American National Champion (2017)
3rd Place IBJJF Worlds No Gi (2017)
2nd Place IBJJF Worlds Masters (2022)
3x IBJJF New York Pro Champion
Kasai 3 and Kasai 4 Champion
4x Brazilian National Champion (colored belts)
+40x IBJJF Open Champion
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Vedha Toscano - Founder - Black Belt 2nd Degree
Vedha Clemente Duran Toscano is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt under her father Fábio Clemente, Fabio Clemente opened the first Brazilian Jiu Jitsu academy in NYC in 1995. Toscano gained worldwide recognition as one of her generation’s top athletes after consistent wins in the colored belt divisions of BJJ, particularly while competing in the main championships of the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF)
Major Accomplishments:
3x IBJJF World No Gi Champion (2019/2025 Double Gold)
Worlds Masters Champion IBJJF (2025)
IBJJF Pan American Champion (2026)
IBJJF American National Champion (2019)
3x IBJJF Pan American No Gi Champion
3x IBJJF New York Pro Champion
3rd Place IBJJF Europeans Open Class
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Mauricio Fernandes - Black Belt 2nd Degree
Mauricio is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Andre Pederneiras. Mauricio is a skilled Brazilian jiu jitsu practitioner. Starting in Rio de Janeiro as a kid, Mauricio quickly moved up the ranks. Moving to New York in 2018, since arriving he teamed up with Shaolin and has been teaching alongside Silvio for 8 years now. With a passion for martial arts Mauricio is an integral part of our academy.
Major Accomplishments:
IBJJF Brazilian National Champion (2026)
IBJJF European No Gi Champion (2025)
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Ben Simone - Brown Belt
Ben is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt who has been training under Professor Silvio Duran and Vitor Shaolin for the past seven years. A dedicated student of the art, Ben brings a deep understanding of both traditional fundamentals and the evolving modern game to every class he teaches.
Known for his sharp eye for detail and passion for technical precision, Ben helps coach our fundamentals and No-Gi programs, making complex techniques approachable for students of all levels. His teaching style emphasizes efficiency, timing, and the importance of mastering the little things that make a big difference on the mats.