Master Luis Heredia with a much earned coral belt- inspired Hi Pro, a gift from friend and training partner Scotty Fong.
Earning a coral belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu requires at least 31 years as a black belt (7 years at the 6th degree), of extraordinary commitment to the sport & its community. It is a rare & highly prestigious accomplishment (only 40- about 50 globally) that Luis Heredia, founder of Maui Jiu Jitsu Academy, recently achieved.
Movement has always been a big part of Master Luis Heredia’s identity. He grew up in Copacabana Beach in Brazil immersed in sports such as soccer, basketball, water polo, handball, & surfing.
His competitive nature was forged on the soccer field, where he played for different clubs that instilled discipline & drive. Unfortunately, those skills couldn’t bring him the same success in competitive surfing.
Soon after, Luis realized that he “sucked and it was best to stop trying,”. It was a humbling experience, but a pivotal one.
In the early 80s, Luis’ BJJ instructor, the legendary Rickson Gracie, recognized his potential as a competitor. Luis was encouraged to enter his first tournament at 20-yrs old. His win marked the moment he fully committed himself to the sport.
Surfing & Jiu Jitsu together laid the foundation for the rest of his career. They were the two disciplines he’d been searching for. The two that profoundly shaped his personality & character.
Over the years he said that his experiences from both practices have influenced his mental, spiritual, & physical development. While surfing & Jiu Jitsu are distinct disciplines, Luis sees them as spiritually connected, saying that one unfolds in the water; the other on the earth.
Surfing teaches flow, patience, & harmony with nature. Jiu Jitsu teaches resilience, strategy, & control. Together, they complement one another— water & earth working in balance.
Luis continues to find joy in both pursuits. He looks forward to trying his new Schaper longboard & sharing waves with good friend & training partner, Scotty Fong, who gifted him the board.
Those shared moments in the ocean and on the mat remain deeply meaningful to him.
