Thiago Reinaldo

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Stafford, VA
Thiago Reinaldo

Head Instructor & Competitor at Gracie Barra Stafford | 4th Degree Black Belt
Passionate about changing lives through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

From kids to adults, beginners to competitors we train, grow, and evolve together. Thiago Reinaldo, a 4th Degree Black Belt under Professor Henrique Machado, is the head instructor at Gracie Barra Stafford, as well as a central figure in the Brazilian jiu-jitsu community in Virginia. His journey in BJJ began in the 1990s, ignited by the legendary Royce Gracie’s performances in the UFC, leading him to train at ASLE, now known as Gracie Barra Amazonas, in Manaus, Brazil. In 2017, Professor Thiago moved to Virginia to help start the very first Gracie Barra academy in Virginia. There, he worked passionately and tirelessly, playing a monumental and instrumental role in starting and establishing Gracie Barra Stafford. He has served as its head instructor since its founding in 2018. Professor Thiago’s career has been marked by success both as a competitor, garnering numerous national and international medals, and as a passionate instructor, shaping the futures of many students. His approach to teaching integrates his rich competitive experience with a deep understanding of BJJ’s transformative potential. Professor Thiago views Brazilian jiu-jitsu not just as a martial art, but as a vital tool for personal and collective growth. His commitment to “Jiu-Jitsu for Everyone” is evident in his efforts to offer programs accessible to all ages and skill levels, focusing on the holistic development of each student. Professor Thiago’s lineage traces back to Mitsuyo Maeda and Carlos Gracie and is a testament to his deep roots in the art. His achievements, ranging from the IBJJF Master International to the American National Jiu-Jitsu Championship, underscore his status as a champion fighter. He continues to inspire and develop talent at Gracie Barra Stafford, fostering a community driven by integrity, perseverance, and the pursuit of excellence in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Through his leadership and dedication, Professor Thiago exemplifies the core values of brotherhood, integrity, and development, making Gracie Barra Stafford a beacon for those seeking to learn and grow in the art of Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Reyson Gracie > Osvaldo Alves > Henrique Machado > Thiago Reinaldo

09/04/2026

World Master starts today, and these memories from 2022 hit a little differently. 🥋

From taping up before the first match to sharing the podium and those hugs afterward, there’s so much more to these photos than competition.

This year, I’m cheering from afar. To my friends, teammates, and everyone stepping on those mats: trust your preparation, give it your all, and enjoy being there.

I’m looking forward to being back out there with you.

Who’s competing this week? Let me know so I can cheer you on! 👊🔺

08/30/2026

Hoje celebramos 5 anos de casamento e 11 anos de uma história que Deus vem escrevendo com amor, parceria e propósito. Jilari, você é minha melhor escolha, minha paz, minha força e o amor da minha vida. Obrigado por caminhar comigo em cada fase, nos dias fáceis e nos dias difíceis. Eu te amo mais do que palavras conseguem explicar. Feliz aniversário para nós.
Te amo ❤️ muchacha ❤️

08/26/2026

Happy birthday to my beautiful wife, my best friend, and my partner in everything.
Thank you for walking beside me through every season, celebrating the victories and giving me strength during the difficult moments.
Our life is better because of your love, your energy, and the way you care for our family.
I am grateful for every memory we have created and excited for everything that is still ahead of us.
Happy birthday, meu amor, minha muchacha. I love you ❤️ Jili Reinaldo

08/20/2026

A little sunshine, a lot of laughter, and my favorite person by my side. ❤️

Between family, teaching, training, and everything life brings, moments like these remind me to slow down and enjoy the journey.

The best memories are often the simplest ones.

Rio, Jily, and a day worth remembering. ☀️🌊

Which photo feels most like us, 1, 2, or 3?

Momentos simples, memórias especiais. ❤️

Te amo muchacha ❤️

08/10/2026

Celebrating my birthday the best way possible: on the mats, surrounded by amazing people. 11 rounds, great energy, and my wife closing out the Shark Tank! 🦈🥋🔥

07/20/2026

IBJJF Virginia Open 2026 ✅

Another opportunity to test myself and continue growing through Jiu-Jitsu.

I’m grateful to God for allowing me to compete once again and, most importantly, for keeping everyone safe throughout the event. One thing I always pray for before every competition is that every athlete steps off the mats healthy and injury-free.

This tournament is now behind us, but the journey continues. Every match brings lessons, every challenge creates growth, and every experience helps prepare us for what comes next.

Now the focus shifts to the next challenge:

IBJJF World Master Championship, September 2026.

Back to work. OSS. 🙏🥋

The medals are appreciated, but the preparation is what matters most.

A huge thank you to all of our students and teammates who have been showing up to our competition training sessions over the past six weeks.

Every hard round, every drill, every challenge we put each other through helps make us better.

I always say:

If I am strong, it’s because my team is strong.

Thank you to everyone who helped prepare us for this event and for allowing us to represent on the competition mats.

A question for the Jiu-Jitsu community. 🤔

This clip is from the Absolute division final.

The result is official, and congratulations to my opponent. This post is not about changing the outcome.

After the match, I reviewed the sequence and even had the opportunity to discuss it with the referee director. His interpretation was that he would have awarded the takedown, while the referee on the mat saw it differently.

That’s part of our sport.

So I’m curious:

What do you see? Was it a takedown or not?

Let’s use it as a learning opportunity. Conversations like this help athletes, instructors, referees, and students continue to improve and understand the sport better.

This picture means more than any medal. ❤️

I’m incredibly proud of

This was her first time competing in the Absolute division, stepping outside her comfort zone and challenging herself in a new way.

She is a mother of three, teaches classes, helps with our GBF Women’s Program and GBK Program supports our family, trains consistently, and still

07/18/2026

Two hard matches, two valuable lessons.

Today I competed at the IBJJF Virginia Open in the Master 3 Black Belt Ultra Heavy division.

In my first match, I secured the win by armbar after a tough battle. In the final, I earned the victory on points in another hard-fought match from start to finish.

Right at the end of the final, I got caught in a very tight loop choke. One of those moments that reminds you that a match isn’t over until the clock hits zero. Fortunately, I was able to escape and finish the match strong.

Competing continues to be one of the best ways for me to challenge myself, grow, and lead by example for my students. Every match teaches lessons that go far beyond medals and results.

Grateful for my family, my team, and everyone who supports me on this journey.

Now it’s time for the Absolute Division.

Let’s go. 👊🏽🥋

07/09/2026

to American National, about three weeks ago.

Grateful for the experience, the lessons, and the opportunity to keep testing myself on the mats. Every competition brings growth, and every match becomes part of the journey.

Next stop: IBJJF Virginia Open, July 18 and 19.

Back to work. OSS.

06/29/2026

Good memories, beautiful views, and another chapter added to the journey.

Grateful for the experience.

05/28/2026

TBT to Master International North America 2022. A lot of lessons learned from this event. Next up, June 20 PBJJF Pan, and then June 25 IBJJF American Nationals. Back to work. OSS

#ᴛʙᴛ

Address

909 Garrisonville Road #103
Stafford, VA
22554

Website

http://www.thiagobjj.com/

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