Family
Kids train next to their parents. Marines train next to Okinawan locals. Everyone learns everyone's name.
Our story
From the Amazon to Okinawa.
Ivan Sakamoto grew up in Manaus, in the heart of the Brazilian Amazon, in a jiu-jitsu family. His brother, Fredson Paixão, is a five-time world champion, and the mats were part of daily life long before competition was.
Ivan earned his black belt in December 2008. When he and his wife Arine moved to Okinawa, he started teaching on the US bases, at Kadena, Camp Foster and Camp Courtney. It was the first Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu team on the island.
Word spread beyond the gates. Locals wanted in, and the team needed a home of its own. So Ivan opened the Sakamoto Dojo in Misato, Okinawa City. Today four locations run under one name, one curriculum and one head coach.
The trophy shelf at the dojo is full, and the team travels to Tokyo for the World Championship every year. But ask anyone on the mats what keeps them coming back and they will talk about the people first.
What we stand for
Three things you will feel in every class.
Competition
We compete because it makes the whole room better. You never have to, but the door is always open.
Respect
For the art, for your partner, and for the place. Clean gi, bow onto the mat, leave your ego at the door.
The record
Okinawa's most decorated team.
Team BJJO holds more team championships than any academy on the island. In the 2024 SJJIF world rankings the adult team finished 18th in the world.
36Gold
25Silver
20Bronze
2024 SJJIF world ranking, adult division
The week ends here
Sundays we rest.
Six days a week the mats are busy. On Sunday we recover, spend time with our families, and get ready for Monday.