Pica Pau Jiu Jitsu & Grappling

Congratulations everyone! Our team amassed somewhere between 20-30 submissions this week en route to many trips to the podium!

Thanks to our coaches, parents, teammates, and everyone who shows love.

Photos by .photography and .pointphoto

Coach Shaun Richmond

🥋Shaun Richmond has wrestled almost his entire life. He continued his grappling pursuits in Jiu Jitsu with his family in 2014. He earned his black belt from Aaron Brooks (2nd Degree) and Daniel Vianna (5th degree) at the beginning of 2025.

🥇He started competing almost immediately. He has gold medals at every belt level in events such as IBJJF, Newbreed, NAGA, and much more. Shaun is a multiple time IBJJF Master World champion and medalist. He is also an IBJJF Master No Gi World champion.

🎙Shaun hosts his own podcast called Grappling Legacy Lounge . His oldest son Gabe is his co host. . His daughter Madison and his son Brandon are also staples of our community.

🎗Shaun and his family are avid supporters of the BJJ community. Whether it be photography .pointphoto or being ambassadors/volunteers for Tap Cancer Out.

Coach Shaun's teaching schedule:

Tuesday 6pm Kids Wrestling

Friday 5pm Kids Wrestling

Saturday 9am Kids Gi BJJ

Come try a week or two of classes!

This is our morning instructor, Joseph Rusulis!

🥋He began training in 2013 and earned his black belt under Larry Lindenman (3rd degree) and Daniel Vianna (5th degree) in 2024.

⏱️Joe teaches at 6:30am on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. As well as 9am on Sundays. Our full, detailed schedule is on picapaujj.com. Come try a week or two of classes and see how you like it!

🥇Joe has several years of competition experience in tournaments such as IBJJF, NAGA, Newbreed and Tap Cancer Out.

Come in soon and meet Joe as well as the rest of the Pica Pau community.

Pica Pau Jiu Jitsu celebrated our 5 year anniversary in 2026!

We would like to reintroduce our coaching staff for people who are looking for somewhere to train!

🥋Aaron Brooks is a 2nd Degree Black Belt under Daniel and Pedro Vianna. He is the current owner, head instructor and coach of Pica Pau Jiu Jitsu and Grappling. He also is the leader of the Train Hard, Be Kind affiliation that encompasses many other schools.

🙇‍♂️He began training in 2010. Started teaching in 2013. Teaching experience at 4 different schools before opening Pica Pau in 2021. He has since coached hundreds of athletes to victory.

🥇12 time IBJJF Open champion and a 2 time ADCC Open champion. Gold medalist in other organizations such as Fight 2 Win, Jeff Curran Invitational, NAGA, Newbreed, Grappling Industries and more. 2024 No Gi Worlds Bronze Medalist. 2025 No Gi Pans Bronze Medalist. 1-1 in Amateur MMA.

Please call, DM, or email us if you would like to schedule a trial class, seminars, or private lessons!

Picapaujj.com for our schedule, FAQ, contact info, and other important information.

See you on the mats!

Our competition team has been killing it lately at events such as the Jeff Curran Invitational, Fight 2 Win, IBJJF, and more!

Come join us! We love company 🫡

The next installment of the will be on Saturday, September 19th. Please apply at jcinvitational.com if you would like to compete!

Congratulations to Gio for earning his blue belt tonight at open mat!!

Gio started BJJ roughly 10 years ago at the NIU Jiu Jitsu Club with recently promoted Vianna Brothers black belt Ai Lambogo . He also comes from a wrestling background where he is now a coach.

It has been an absolute pleasure training with him thus far. His technical prowess, humility, and attitude are some of the key ingredients that make him a great grappler.

Thank you Gio!!

Congratulations to everyone who competed in Illinois and Iowa this weekend!

Thank you to .photography and everyone else who took these awesome photos 😎