Some people just bring good energy with them every time they walk through the door, and Joel is one of those people.
Whether he is training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu or Muay Thai, he always shows up ready to learn, work hard, and enjoy the process.
One of the things Joel appreciates most is learning from the different coaches and training partners throughout the week.
He is also the kind of training partner everyone enjoys working with. He trains hard, has a great attitude, and helps make classes better for the people around him.
Keep up the great work Joel.
John Wai Martial Arts
John Wai Martial Arts in Plantation offer classes in Kickboxing, Muay Thai, Kung Fu, MMA & BJJ.
The John Wai Martial Arts Academy is the premier martial arts school in South Florida. Celebrating 25 years in Plantation Florida, the Academy is one of the oldest and most experienced martial arts schools in the area. John Wai and his instructors have dedicated their lives to bring each student only the highest quality instruction. Every class from Kickboxing to Kung Fu, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, MMA
06/10/2026
The best coaches never stop training.
Daniel spends a lot of time coaching classes, helping members, and preparing for his own professional fights, but he still makes time to jump into regular classes and continue sharpening his skills.
That mindset is a big reason why he connects so well with our members. He understands firsthand that improvement is an ongoing process, no matter your experience level.
Whether he is coaching, training for a fight, or attending class alongside everyone else, Daniel is always looking for ways to improve.
We are fortunate to have coaches like Daniel who continue to put in the work and inspire others through their actions.
06/09/2026
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is effective because it teaches you how to use technique, timing, and leverage instead of relying on size and strength alone.
That is one of the reasons so many women are drawn to BJJ. You learn how to control positions, escape bad situations, and apply techniques against resisting partners through proper mechanics and practice.
Every class is an opportunity to build confidence, sharpen your skills, and discover that effective martial arts is not about being the biggest or strongest person in the room.
It is always great seeing women gain confidence in their abilities and become more comfortable with the training each week.
Professor Mario recently taught a special weapons retention class where members worked on applying MMA, wrestling, and grappling concepts to situations involving weapon control and retention.
Mario is a third degree Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt, federal law enforcement officer, fi****ms instructor, and owner of Exile Training Group.
Training with Mario is always insightful because of the depth of knowledge and practical experience he brings to the mats. He teaches defensive tactics professionally and has a way of breaking down complex concepts into techniques that are easy to understand and apply.
Mario’s company, Exile Training Group, also offers fi****ms training. Many of our coaches have attended his courses and can personally say the training is exceptional. If you’re interested in fi****ms training or learning more about what he offers, we highly recommend reaching out to him.
We appreciate Mario sharing his knowledge and helping our members continue to expand their skills both on and off the mats.
06/03/2026
One of the things we appreciate most about our team is having coaches who are not only teaching on the mats, but training right alongside everyone else.
Martin and Scott are great examples of that.
If you have trained on Mondays or Saturdays, you have probably seen Martin helping members, answering questions, and taking the time to work with anyone who needs it. He is always willing to share his knowledge and help others improve.
And if you are one of our early morning crew, then you know Scott. He is the one leading our 6:30am BJJ classes and helping members start their day on the mats.
Both of these guys lead by example through their consistency, willingness to help others, and commitment to their own training.
We appreciate everything they do for our team and the positive impact they have on our members every day.🙏
06/02/2026
Did you know our kids martial arts program starts at age 3?
One of the reasons our program works so well is that we teach kids based on their stage of development.
Our Early Ninjas program is designed for ages 3 to 4, Basic Ninjas for ages 5 to 7, and Juniors for ages 8 and up. Each age group learns differently, has different physical abilities, and benefits from a different teaching approach.
A 3 year old doesn’t learn the same way as a 7 year old, and a 7 year old doesn’t learn the same way as a 10 year old.
That’s why our classes are structured specifically for each age group. Kids stay engaged, have fun, and learn in ways that make sense for them.
Along with martial arts skills, we also incorporate age appropriate life skills into our classes. Confidence, focus, listening, self control, teamwork, respect, and perseverance are all important lessons that become part of the learning experience.
Our goal is not just to teach martial arts. It’s to help kids develop skills that will benefit them both on and off the mats.
Our Striking Fundamentals class every Monday at 7:15pm has become one of the most popular classes of the week for a reason.
Taught by pro fighter Maurice Morrison, this class focuses on the fundamentals of effective striking including punches, kicks, clinch work, distance management, footwork, and close range techniques.
It’s the perfect class for beginners looking to build strong striking fundamentals, while still offering plenty for more experienced members to sharpen and refine their technique.
If you want to improve your striking, this is a class you do not want to miss. See you tonight at 7:15pm!
05/30/2026
Yesterday was belt promotion day for our Early Ninjas (ages 3 to 4) and Basic Ninjas (ages 5 to 7), and we’re proud of every child who stepped on the mats and showed us what they’ve been working on.
These moments are always a great reminder that progress happens little by little through consistency. Skills improve over time, confidence grows, and kids begin doing things that once felt difficult with much more comfort.
We also want to thank all of our parents. Thank you for consistently bringing your kids to class, supporting them through the process, and trusting our team with their martial arts training. That trust means a lot to us.
It takes a village to raise kids, and we’re grateful to be a part of that for so many families. Teaching martial arts is important, but so is helping kids build confidence, discipline, and life skills that carry with them into school, friendships, and everyday life.
Congratulations to all of our kids on earning their new belts.👏
05/29/2026
One of the things we always enjoy seeing is family members training together.
You get to challenge each other, help each other improve, and share the experience together on the mats.
We have a lot of families who train with us, and it is always great seeing the connection that grows through training together.
Phoebe and Austin have been putting in great work in our BJJ Gi classes. It has been great watching them learn new skills, improve their technique, and continue growing in their training together.
Marlon has been training with us since 2001.
He first started in Kung Fu and Sanshou after being inspired by kung fu movies, and over the years martial arts has remained a big part of his life.
He trains Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and has earned his purple belt through years of consistent training. Like many people starting something new, he had some reservations about training BJJ in the beginning, but he pushed through that and stayed with it. We are glad he did.
One of the coolest parts is seeing martial arts become part of his family’s life too. His whole family trains with us, and it is always great seeing him and his boys on the mats together.
Marlon has lived the martial arts lifestyle for a long time. His consistency, humility, and dedication to keep training year after year is something we really respect.
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Location
Category
Contact the school
Telephone
Address
222 South University Drive
Plantation, FL
33324
Opening Hours
| Monday | 8:30am - 12pm |
| 3pm - 9pm | |
| Tuesday | 6:30am - 12pm |
| 3pm - 9pm | |
| Wednesday | 8:30am - 12pm |
| 3pm - 9pm | |
| Thursday | 6:30am - 12pm |
| 3pm - 9pm | |
| Friday | 8:30am - 12pm |
| 3pm - 8:30pm | |
| Saturday | 8:30am - 2pm |