Born in Natal, Brazil, Jean Kleber discovered the art of Jiu-jitsu and started training at the age of 14. After training for one year, he was introduced to Jair Lourenco, founder of the first Kimura Jiu-jitsu school. Lourenco immediately saw potential in Jean Kleber and asked him to join the Kimura team. That same year he competed in the Rio Grande do Norte State Championship; it was his first tournament of many to come.
In 1995, Jair Lourenco and his partner Marcio Freire, also a great friend of Jean, invited him to become an instructor for one of the classes at Kimura Jiu-jitsu. Already known for his exceptional abilities as a fighter, Jean was quickly recognized as an extraordinary instructor by the local media and everyone involved in the sport.
Kimura’s popularity increased its student population, which led to the opening of an additional school. At the same time, Master Andre Pederneiras invited Kimura to join the Nova Uniao Jiu-jitsu team of Brazil. This union led to a substantial increase in technical ability of Kimura members.
Jean Kleber’s popularity as a competitor and teacher grew. He entered tournaments that drew over five thousand spectators and countless media coverage. He taught seminars in Brazil and Europe, spreading the art of Jiu-jitsu everywhere he went.
In 2001 Jean moved to Portugal and opened the first Kimura Jiu-jitsu School outside of Brazil. After spending significant time estabilishing the school, he asked Dinarte Silva, a black belt, to continue with development of Kimura in Portugal.
In 2003, Jean Kleber moved to the United States where he met Steve Giroux, owner of Giroux Brothers Martial Arts School. Steve offered Jean the use of his space to start the first Kimura BJJ academy in the USA. Once again, word of Jean’s ability as a teacher and technical knowledge of Jiu-jitsu spread rapidly throughout New England.
Experience
• Founder/Owner/Head instructor – Kimura Academy USA
• Founder – Kimura BJJ Europe
• 1st Kimura BJJ instructor to open a Kimura branch in Brazil
• More than 16 years of BJJ experience
• More than 10 years of BJJ teaching experience
• 1st instructor to teach BJJ at the local schools
• Extensively trained in Muay-Thai, Judo, Vale Tudo (MMA), and submission wrestling
• Developed state, national, and world BJJ champions
• Developed Vale Tudo (MMA), and submission wrestling champions
• Developed high-level instructors
• Ended 75% of fights by finalizing the opponent
Certificates
• Jean Kleber received his black belt in 2001 from masters Jair Lourenço and Andre Pederneiras, one of the best black belts of the legendary Master Carlson Gracie
• Black belt certificate from Nova União, the academy with the largest number of world titles - Mater Andre Pederneiras.
• Black belt certificate from the Kimura Academy – 2005 world champion, master Jair Lorenco.
• First Aid certificate
• N.N.S.A. Seminar instructor certified
Titles
• 6 x State champion. (Brazil)
• 5 x Northeastern champion. (Brazil)
• 4 x North Northeastern champion. (Brazil)
• 2 x champion of the Kimura cup Absolute division. (Brazil)
• 2 x champion Brazil-North championship-Absolute division. (Brazil)
• 2 x champion of the Eucle Uchoa cup-Absolute division. (Brazil)
Championships
• Bad Boy Cup champion (Brazil)
• Ciclone Cup champion (Brazil)
• De-La-Riva Cup champion - Absolute division (Brazil)
• Atama Kimonos Cup champion (Brazil)
• Open athletic Center Cup champion (Brazil)
• Diario de Pernanbuco Cup champion - Absolute division (Brazil)
• Carlson Gracie Cup champion - Absolute division (Brazil)
• First challenge of the 400th anniversary of Natal City champion - Absolute division (Brazil)
• First challenge Carlson Gracie Team X Nova uniao Team champion - Absolute division (Brazil)
• First Titas's Duel champion - Absolute division (fighting with an opponent 50 lbs heavier) (Brazil)
• Grappling tournament D.L.T champion
• BJJ tournament -D.L.T champion - Absolute division (USA)
• North-American Grappling tournament N.A.G.A . champion - Absolute divison (U.S.A)