Ronaldo Candido Academy Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

What a epic weekend for RCA!

I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to all our students who competed this weekend. Each of you performed amazingly and truly gave your best out there! While the trophies are a wonderful bonus, the most important aspect of our jiu-jitsu programs is the positive impact they have on everyone involved. We are dedicated to transforming lives, and your commitment and spirit reflect that mission. Keep shining and inspiring one another!

I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all our coaches, staff, and everyone who is an integral part of our amazing academy. Your unwavering dedication, support, and hard work are what make our community truly special. Together, we are fostering an environment where our students can excel and grow. Thank you for your invaluable contributions and for being such an essential part of our journey toward transformation and success!

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In 2018, I founded and embarked on a dream to create a space where everyone—kids, adults, and families—could discover their strength and resilience through the phenomenal sport of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. What started as a vision has blossomed into a vibrant and strong community, positively impacting the lives of many people in our area.

We are proud to have an incredible program that changes lives every day! Today, we want to extend our heartfelt congratulations to everyone on their well-deserved belt promotions! A special thank you to all the families who have been part of our journey, both past and present. Your unwavering support and dedication have been the foundation of our success.

Together, we have built more than just a martial arts school; we’ve created a thriving community of champions on and off the mats! We will continue to uplift one another and keep inspiring our students to achieve greatness not just on the mats but, most importantly, in life. Here’s to many more celebrations ahead!

Thank you to everyone for the love and support, especially to

Dear RCA Members,

Get ready for an exciting day! 🎉 We are thrilled to invite you to our Kids & Adults Belt Promotion happening on Monday, June 8th during our regular class times:

• Kids Ages 5–8: 5:15 PM
• Kids Ages 9–13: 6:00 PM
• Adults: 7:00 PM

To make the celebration even more enjoyable, the academy will provide burgers, live music, and a bounce house for the kids to have fun! (Please remember to bring your own drinks)

Let’s come together to celebrate the hard work and dedication of our students. Belt promotion is a special moment, and we can’t wait to recognize everyone’s amazing progress!

See you there!
Best,
RCA Team

Big Congratulations to Hainite!

We are beyond thrilled to announce that Hainite has won Double Gold at the Chicago Open! with fierce determination and skill, Hainite not only claimed victory in her category but also dominated the open weight division against heavier opponents, representing our academy like a true champion.

Let’s give her a round of applause for this incredible result! Her dedication and hard work have truly paid off, and we can’t wait to see what’s next for her!

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James Murray () is a highly respected American judoka and coach from Michigan, with decades of dedication to judo, leadership, and youth mentorship. A 5th Degree Black Belt (Godan), he founded Godai-Kroc Center Judo, helping at-risk youth through discipline and opportunity.

As a competitor, he earned major titles including USA National Champion, Pan-American medalist, US Open Veterans Gold Medalist, and multiple state championships. In 2024, he received the USJF Lifetime Achievement Award.

He also showed remarkable resilience after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2020, continuing to compete, coach, mentor others, and inspire many through his strength and perseverance.

Join our studio this upcoming Saturday to learn from Sensei James Murray, see you then.

Another competition in the books!

We had small group competing at only three students, winning 4 gold medals and 1 bronze. Congratulations everyone, way to go RCA!