Instructor

After wrestling in high school, Andrew started doing Judo at VCU Judo in January of 1997. Nine years later, Andrew got his Black Belt in Judo.

     

When the Richmond BJJ Academy opened on January 2nd, 2002, Andrew started training formally in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, earning his Blue, Purple, and (eventually) Brown Belts from Eric Burdo and Julio Fernandez in February of 2006.

 Andrew has learned through "trials by fire" what works and what doesn't in competition, with over 250 grappling competition wins including: including three 2008 Pan American Jiu-Jitsu Championship Gold medals(silver in 2003 and bronze in 2004) and 5 Virginia state judo championship gold medals, as well as several super fight titles. Andrew is still an active BJJ competitor and has evolved into one of the most active Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and submission-grappling coaches in the country.

  Andrew has traveled to Brazil twice to train jiu-jitsu and has trained with dozens of instructors all over the country. Andrew has also been featured on OnTheMat.com's 101 Submissions -Volume 3 DVD.