Yemaso Brazilian Jiu Jitsu | Sacramento BJJ Academy

06/27/2026

03/14/2026

Josiah: white belt → blue → purple → brown.

Josiah’s path to this belt carries a lot behind it. He spent 8 years in the Army, including service as a combat veteran in Iraq. Discipline, resilience, and commitment were already part of his life long before he stepped onto the mats.

Today he brings that same mindset to Jiu Jitsu.

If you train at Yemaso, you know Josiah as an earnest martial artist. When he’s on the mats he gives his full effort, whether he’s drilling, rolling, or helping teach. He approaches training with focus and consistency, always trying to improve and always contributing to the room.

He’s also a family man through and through. It’s common to see him training alongside his partner Shelby, with their kids Javian and Elijah close by. Jiu Jitsu has become something the whole family shares.
Josiah is also known for being a tough roll. He brings grit, pressure, and determination that pushes his teammates to bring their best.

Outside the academy he works as a graphic designer, and earlier in life he pushed himself through endurance challenges like Spartan races, long distance cycling, and long distance running. That same willingness to test himself shows up in the way he trains.

Just as important, Josiah is a strong voice for men’s mental health. He’s someone who takes the time to check in with teammates and have real conversations, often sharing parts of his own experience to support the people around him.

And if you’ve spent time in the academy, you’ve probably noticed one more thing. Some of the nicest gis on the mats.

Proud of you, Josiah. Brown belt well earned.

🛑 If you’ve been thinking about trying Jiu Jitsu, send us a message.

➡️ We’ll help you get started and set you up with a trial class.

03/05/2026

Daryl Santos: white belt → blue → purple → brown.

Daryl is a structural engineer by trade, and you can feel that in his Jiu Jitsu. He sees systems, angles, and pressure like a designer. He builds positions the way he builds solutions, with patience, structure, and intent.

Outside the academy, he’s just as layered. Photography, hip hop, salsa dancing. Always creating. Always refining timing and movement. And that’s the parallel that makes his journey so fun to watch. In all of it, the same pattern shows up: details matter, rhythm matters, and repetition turns into mastery.

On the mats Daryl carries himself with a calm, kind demeanor. Then the round begins and the focus locks in. He brings a high pace and real intensity that pushes everyone to level up, while still being a safe and respectful training partner.

That competitive drive has shown up on the big stage too. Daryl has competed under IBJJF and earned gold at the Santa Cruz International Open in 2023.

Proud of you, Daryl. Brown belt well earned.

🥋Thinking about starting BJJ in Sacramento?

Send us a DM with “START” and we’ll reply with class options, what to expect, and how to begin your trial.

03/02/2026

Janette: white belt ➡️ blue ➡️ purple ➡️ brown.

She started her journey in Southern California back in 2013, training at while she was in school. In 2022, she moved to Sacramento and brought that same steady commitment to Yemaso BJJ.

Janette’s path has never been about attention. She’s quiet, consistent, and she shows up with a great smile. She builds real one to one connections and makes the people around her better.

All the while, she kept moving forward off the mats too. School never stopped. She’s currently working on her master’s program in education, balancing real responsibilities with the kind of training that asks a lot from you.

There have been injuries. There have been stretches where life had to come first. And every time, Janette found her way back to training. That’s what this belt represents.

Patience. Grit. Commitment over time.

Proud of you, Janette. Brown belt well earned.

If you’ve been thinking about starting, send us a message. We’ll help you choose the right class and get you set up for a trial.

YemasoBJJ

02/25/2026

Christian Green: white belt → blue → purple → brown.

This promotion represents years of showing up. Quiet work. Consistent reps.
Christian is a grinder. He comes in, puts his head down, and gets better without needing attention or making excuses.

What makes it hit even harder is everything he balances outside the gym. Christian is a business owner and a father. Life stays busy. Responsibilities do not pause. And somehow, he kept finding a way to train.

That is what Jiu Jitsu rewards.
Presence. Habits. Time on the mats.

Proud of you, Christian. Brown belt well earned.

If you have been thinking about starting, send us a message. We will help you choose the right class and get you set up for a trial.

YemasoBJJ

02/24/2026

Monday, February 23rd 2026 has become Team Yemaso’s 26th black belt after nearly a decade of hard work and dedication. Here pictured with his new born son and professor celebrating this monumental achievement. Huge congrats Prof. Mark Hackard!!
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02/24/2026

Monday, February 23 2026 Alyssa Walls enters into a unique “club”, a rank achieved by less than 1% of all practitioners that commence BJJ. We had previously given out 24 black belts here at Team Yemaso and Ms Walls becomes the first female black belt of our academy. We are honored to celebrate her ascent today as this marks the beginning of a new era for us. Monumental congrats to our Black Belt Queen!!
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02/22/2026

2026 Sacramento Open taking 3rd among the top teams in California. Today we achieve but one more historic achievement as a collective. Huge thank you to , , and as each and every participant brought forth the beautiful reflection that is our standard of quality. The dedication to your craft is evident in the enthusiasm of the students and we could not be who we are without the passion of every individual. Safe travels home familia, the grind continues OSU

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02/22/2026

Day one at the 2026 Sacramento Open is a wrap! Some epic performances, some devastating losses. We continue to analyze, disseminate, and evolve with each outing. Not everyone made the pic is was a long day yet know we are proud of you all. On to day two… OSU

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02/21/2026

Brief update from the Team Yemaso black belts today at the 2026 Sacramento Open. Stay tuned for more updates

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