Instructors

Peter “the Greek” Letsos is a highly respected Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Carlson Gracie Jr. and the founder of Rio Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Chicago. A veteran of the sport’s “second wave” in the United States, Pete spent four transformative years living and training in Brazil, where he honed his skills alongside legends like Osvaldo Alves and at the Carlson Gracie headquarters. His nickname, “the Greek,” was affectionately coined by his Brazilian teammates who found his surname difficult to pronounce but his dedication impossible to ignore. A multi-time Pan American medalist and Gracie Invitational champion, Pete is internationally recognized as a master of the “lost art” of wristlocks, famously summarized by his slogan and instructional series, “Wristlock the World.” His teaching style is deeply rooted in the gritty, technical pressure of the Carlson Gracie lineage, making him a sought-after seminar leader for practitioners looking to bridge the gap between traditional fundamentals and creative submissions.

Top Irish prospect Rosa Walsh has just been awarded her BJJ black belt by the reigning ADCC world champion Ffion Davies, becoming the first person to be promoted under Davies. Walsh has been a popular and prolific competitor all across the UK for quite some time, and has been branching out even further. She actually got one of her biggest tournament wins just a matter of days before Davies won ADCC 2022 in fact, as Walsh competed in the ADCC Open at the same event. Walsh now stands as the youngest female Irish BJJ black belt ever, at just 25-years old, as well as setting a record for being the first female black belt from Cork, and being the 6th female Irish-born BJJ black belt ever.

Ana Yagües, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and co-owner of Nexus Fighter Academy in Hamburg, brings nearly two decades of elite coaching and competitive experience to the mat. Renowned for her technical precision and her role as a PhD-holding author and referee, Ana is a leader in youth development and the founder of the @bjjmums community. For this edition of the camp, she is joined by her partner, Tony Hesse—a specialist in fundamentals and training culture—and their daughters, Gisele and Anais, who are both members of the German National Youth Team. With Anais holding multiple World and European titles, and younger children Carla and Javier joining the journey, the Yagües-Hesse family embodies a multilingual (English, Spanish, German, and Portuguese) dedication to the values of BJJ, consistency, and respect.

Tony Hesse is a 3rd-degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and the co-owner and head coach of Nexus Fighter Academy in Hamburg, Germany. Known for his calm, detail-oriented teaching style, Tony focuses on building a strong technical foundation and a positive training culture. He is a highly active and successful competitor on the international circuit, with notable achievements including multiple gold medals at the AJP Tour Hamburg (2024), a Pan European Championship title (2022), and several NAGA and IBJJF accolades. As a “BJJ dad” and leader of the Nexus team, Tony’s coaching philosophy balances elite-level performance with the approachability needed for hobbyists and children alike. His commitment to the sport is a family affair, as he travels and trains alongside his partner, Ana Yagües, and their children, representing a lifestyle dedicated to consistency and technical excellence.

Embarking on his Jiu Jitsu journey in 2016, Phidias now proudly dons the Brown belt, specializing in Gi techniques. 🥋
Balancing the roles of athlete and coach, Phidias is dedicated to continuous growth and sharing his passion for Jiu Jitsu. 🏆

A distinguished two-time UKBJJF English Open Champion and two-time IBJJF Dublin Open Champion, his achievements speak volumes. 🥇

We’re beyond thrilled to announce that the incredible @lorenz_sadychow is joining Jiutopia Camp again. As a black belt from @rga.vienna , Lorenz brings his unmatched expertise in half guard, back attacks, sweeps, and submissions.

Lorenz Sadychow is a black belt in the best BJJ school in the region, Roger Gracie Vienna. He is the right-hand man of his master Orlando Machado Neto, the only 5th Dan holder in Central Europe.

Hailing from Belgium but embracing the Mediterranean vibes of Cyprus, Clara’s journey into Pilates began during her time as a physiotherapist in 2021. Now, as a sports & MSK physiotherapist at Better Flow Physio in London and a Pilates instructor at @fightzonelondon , Clara brings her passion for movement and injury prevention to every session.

Bianca is a certified Yoga Instructor and a BJJ blue belt, bringing her passion for Yoga for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to Jiutopia!
Her martial arts journey began as a teenager, competing at an elite level with the Romanian National Judo Team. Over the years, she explored multiple martial arts, but BJJ captured her heart.

Anais S. Yagües is a standout youth athlete and instructor representing the next generation of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. A member of the German National Youth Team and an Orange Belt under her mother, Ana Yagües, Anais has built a formidable competitive record on the international stage. Her accolades include the title of 2025 Abu Dhabi World Pro Jiu-Jitsu Champion, as well as holding two European Championship titles and a World Championship title. Known for her technical precision and dominant submission game—particularly her signature armbar-triangle combinations—she brings a high-level competitive perspective to the Jiutopia team. Anais embodies the values of hard work and consistency, speaking English, Spanish, German, and Portuguese, making her a versatile and inspiring mentor for practitioners of all ages