OTM is pleased to announce our choice for Instructor of the Year goes to Romero "Jacare" Cavalcanti.
There are a number of compelling reasons why we've selected Romero "Jacare" Cavalcanti as the OTM Instructor of the Year. The first is he is the founder and captain of the Alliance team, which has become one of the powerhouse teams on the BJJ circuit today with a long list of champion competitors. The Alliance teams has seen its shares of ups and downs and a few high profile splits. What would have devastated a lesser team merely caused Jacare and crew to refocus, reorganize, and reemerge stronger than ever, and they did so by building from their core. Go to a major BJJ event and it's hard to miss the Alliance presence these days.
Secondly, and more importantly, Jacare has retained the personal touch in his instruction, and is very active in the daily affairs of his school and his students at his home location of Atlanta. The Alliance team has not only put out some of the top Brazilian competitors in recent years, but it has also turned out some of the top Americans and we've seen Jacare coach his blue belt students with just as much fervor and dedication as he does his black belt world champions. That's becoming increasingly rare among the more high profile instructors.
Moreover, when you talk to Jacare, his passion and dedication to Jiu-Jitsu is palpable. He clearly loves the art as much as he loves his students. Jacare is definitely old school, but he is firmly pushing Jiu-Jitsu into the 21st century and serves as an example for all instructors out there. For all this, OTM is proud to congratulate and thank Romero "Jacare" Calvacanti as our instructor of the year.
Previous Instructors of the Year:
2004: Marc Laimon
2005: Renzo Gracie
2006: Carlson Gracie
2007: Cleber Luciano
Thanks for the plug Baleia! Did you hear Cobrinha won the BJJ competitor of the year