2019 Greatmats National Grappling Martial Arts Instructor of the Year

Vote for the martial arts instructor you think should be named the 2019 Greatmats National Grappling Martial Arts Instructor of the Year!

Winner to be announced Dec. 13, 2019

American System Shotokan Red Loin Pa.

Dante Rivera Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy

Gracie Jiu Jitsu Conway

Indian Land MMA

Island Jiu-Jitsu Michigan- Atos Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Keith Rosary's International Martial Arts Academy

Leve BJJ

Louisburg Jiu-jitsu, LLC

Mad Science Judo/Jujitsu

Magic BJJ Judo, JuJitsu

Matagorda Bay Bjj

Ricardo Almeida Brazilian jiu jitsu academy

Ryan's Brazilian Juijitsu

Team Taino Martial Arts and Fitness

Xtreem Jiu Jitsu
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American System Shotokan Red Loin Pa.

02/14/19

Red Lion Pa.

Sensie Ismael Munoz is a great instructor & really cares about his students & how they perform. He & his students go to competition all over the east coast and believes in being fair to everyone. Sensei Munoz would be a great choice for this title.
11 Votes
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Dante Rivera Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy

15-SEP-2019

Freehold, NJ

Professor Leandro Hernandez is an amazing teacher & coach who has coached my son to back-to-back gold medals at NAGA & UGA as well coaching my daughter to four silver medals in a row in competition. He works well with old guys like me (I am 50 years old) but he really shines with the kids - both in privates or classes. His dedication & outgoing personality as well as his knowledge of kick boxing, Jiu Jitsu & MMA make him a stellar role model & teacher for all.
1207 Votes
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Gracie Jiu Jitsu Conway

7/19/19

Conway, AR

Tom Mullaney is an amazing instructor and a wonderful ambassador to the art of Jiu Jitsu. He gives his time tirelessly to his students as well as the community. From teaching children how to handle bullies to helping local law enforcement learn non lethal techniques to keep them safe, Tom dedicates almost every moment of his time to making sure that anyone who has a desire to learn can gain the skills necessary to defend themselves and those that they love. He has made an everlasting impact on the community around him through his tireless work and his encouragement of his students to also give back.
810 Votes
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Indian Land MMA

10/19/19

Indian Land, South Carolina

Avery Richard is a wonderful coach and phenomenal martial artist. He works tirelessly to help others achieve the best out of themselves. He contacts with all his students no matter their age, he is respected by all the adults and loved by the children. I have never met a finer example of a father, coach, fighter and great friend!
9780 Votes
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Island Jiu-Jitsu Michigan- Atos Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

9-3-19

Muskegon, Michigan

Nick Jones is not only a great Jiu-Jitsu practitioner/ coach. He is one of the greatest guys you'll ever meet. High quality technique with great character. 5 stars
216 Votes
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Keith Rosary's International Martial Arts Academy

10/20/2019

Hyannis, MA

Grand Master Keith Rosary taking a celebratory photo with Dante Maas, who won 3rd in forms at Cervizzi's tournament in Danvers MA. ------- Keith Rosary is very well versed in the arts. A grandmaster with the history to back it up. He exemplifies what it means to be a martial artist and good human being. He's hands down the best instructor I've had the pleasure of working with. He is completely selfless and for these reason I nominate him for this award. Thank you. Osu
4 Votes
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Leve BJJ

2019

Philadelphia, PA

Finding Amanda Leve and Leve BJJ has been a blessing to my three kids, Ryan (13), Payton (11) and Izzy (7). Amanda is well respected in the Jujitsu community and has a love and passion for the sport which shines in her coaching. Having two young girls in the sport, Amanda has been able to elevate their confidence and determination to be the best. She is a true inspiration and role model for girls everywhere. Jujitsu being a male dominated sport is slowly shifting, and Amanda has helped lead that progression. My kids have found a lot of success in the sport since finding Amanda, and she has really changed their outlook on the sport. She is at the gym 7 days a week and never misses a competition, all while still aggressively training for her own competitions in BJJ and MMA. Amanda often puts her own training to the side for her students. She is wonderful with all of her students and fosters a laid back, safe environment but at the same time stresses hard work and dedication. She also supports her students in all endeavors, when my daughter brought up the idea to take donations for the homeless as service project for the gym, Amanda was enthusiastic and excited to jump on board and is supporting Payton to plan this project in the upcoming future. Amanda has really become family, and that is exactly what she strives for, Leve BJJ being a home away from home.
12010 Votes
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Louisburg Jiu-jitsu, LLC

10-2-19

Louisburg Kansas

Professor Rusty Sullivan's dedication to his art and to the sharing of his art with others is remarkable. His strong moral values and kindness towards other shines though on the mats as he assists in our kids anti-bullying program, and as he donates his time and efforts into building the Jiu-jitsu community. He constantly strives to engage those in need to assist them in their life's journey and explaining the values and benefits of Jiu-jitsu. He constantly donates his time, donates Gis, and provides assistance to those needing the support and direction of Jiu-jitsu in their lives with no regard for his own personal needs. His passion and technical proficiency makes him not only an outstanding instructor but an outstanding individual in general and an incredible asset to our Jiu-jitsu family here at Louisburg Jiu-jitsu and to the Jiu-jitsu community as a whole.
125 Votes
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Mad Science Judo/Jujitsu

10-8-2019

Oak Ridge, TN

Ted Chittden is very patient with kids when teaching jujitsu.
3 Votes
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Magic BJJ Judo, JuJitsu

2019

East Lansing, MI

Sensei Robert Verdell is an eclectic individual who teaches Global Flo Yoga and Movement Therapy, Youth Karate Program, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Kodokan Judo.
4 Votes
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Matagorda Bay Bjj

Oct 26th 2019

Bastrop Tx

Matagorda Bay BJJ's head instructor/owner Gabriel Nixon should be nominated for his selfless acts towards his many students. Dedicating his life towards them, making sure they are treated like family, instilling great honor and respect towards others and educating his students with the art of Jiu-jitsu.
803 Votes
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Ricardo Almeida Brazilian jiu jitsu academy

27Aug2019

Robbinsville Twp, NJ

Professor Bobby Johnson is an instructor who goes above and beyond. He is respectful, grateful, caring, compassionate, he goes out of his way to make sure the students understand and are able to comprehend the daily instructions. Bobby is passionate and loves BJJ so much that every can feel his love and passion for Jiu Jitsu. We at RABJJ love his personality and his ability to teach and reach out to all of us. Please vote for professor Bobby Johnson for martial arts instructor of the year.
44 Votes
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Ryan's Brazilian Juijitsu

8/29/2019

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Coach Todd Ryan is a great instructor and an even better person. He is always looking out for his students and taking care of them is his first priority. His integrity is top notch and resonates through is spirit and his teaching skills.
652 Votes
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Team Taino Martial Arts and Fitness

2019

Collingswood, NJ

Coach Eddie Torres started his own gym, focusing on the future with a world class kids program competing with the best in the world from boxing to Muay Thai to BJJ. -------- Coach Eddy has been training students to defends them self's to the best of there ability for most of his life. -------- His gym is awesome!
2068 Votes
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Xtreem Jiu Jitsu

09/27/2019

El Paso, Texas

Benny Benavides travels with the only purpose of sharing his knowledge. (Photo taken in Juarez, Mexico)
4 Votes

Want to honor a martial arts instructor for his/her outstanding achievements, unique style or humanitarian efforts? Then nominate him/her for the 2019 National Grappling Martial Arts Instructor of the Year Award, sponsored by Greatmats. This includes but is not limited to those teaching Judo, Jiu Jitsu, BJJ, wrestling, Sambo and submission grappling. The award, part of the 5th annual Greatmats National Award Series, is designed to recognize martial arts instructors who have made a difference in the lives of their students and community through the virtues of service, integrity and quality.

Learn more about Greatmats National Award Series.

How to Nominate

(The nomination period has ended.)

To nominate the instructor for this award, visit the contest page or email the following information to brett@greatmats.com before Nov. 1, 2019. Nominators will not be identified.

  1. Instructor's Name
  2. Name and Location of the Martial Arts Academy (Must be located in the USA)
  3. A brief description of why you are nominating this instructor, including how he/she meets the criteria of high-level service, integrity and quality.
  4. A photo and/or video of the Instructor

How the winner is chosen:

  1. Voting will take place on the contest page from Nov. 14 through Dec. 1, 2019. The two martial arts instructors with the most votes will be named finalists.
  2. Greatmats will judge the two finalists to determine the winner based on:
    1. Demonstration of Service/Community Impact
    2. Demonstration of Integrity
    3. Demonstration of Quality

Grand Prize

  1. $250 in Greatmats Products (or $150 Cash Option) for the Academy
  2. Instructor/academy profile to be released with the announcement of the winner on Dec. 13, 2019.
  3. National Martial Arts Instructor of the Year Certificate

More than 8,200 votes were cast in the first three years of the contest, which is part of the 5th Annual Greatmats National Award Series. New in 2019, the Grappling and Striking Arts Instructors are separated into their own individual categories. The Greatmats National Award Series is designed to recognize instructors, trainers and coaches who have made a positive difference in their communities and the lives of their students.

Voting Instructions:

Visit Greatmats contest ballot page during the voting period to vote for this year's National Martial Arts Instructor of the Year. Click the vote button next to the photo of the Martial Arts Instructor you'd like to win. Feel free to share the gallery ballot with friends and family and encourage them to vote. The two martial arts instructors with the most votes will be named finalists. From that point, Greatmats will choose the winner (scroll down to see prizes) based on the criteria listed above.

Greatmats is a national martial arts flooring leader based in Milltown, Wisconsin, since 1999. Identified as one of the top 3,000 fastest growing companies in the USA three times since 2008, Greatmats gives back to its local community by donating 5% of its annual profits to local non-profit organizations. It also supports green initiatives through the use of solar energy at its Wisconsin headquarters and by offering a large variety of products made from recycled and renewable resources.

View all of Greatmats' martial arts flooring at http://www.greatmats.com/martial-arts-mats.php

This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by or associated with Facebook.

All media submissions, including text, photos and videos become property of Greatmats.

Read about previous winners of the award:

2016 National Martial Arts Instructor of the Year Grandmaster Bryant Harrell

2017 National Martial Arts Instructor of the Year Master Ron Poholik

2018 National Martial Arts Instructor of the Year Erich Podbielski