Magno is the first person I met when I walked into Renzo Gracie Academy in NYC. He is the first person to teach me jiu-jitsu and has been an ever present and essential part of my journey. Magno came directly under legendary teacher and fighter Renzo Gracie’s wing when he was 17 and he is the last person to go from white to black belt under Renzo. Magno is now a black belt of the third degree. Renzo saw Magno’s gift as a practitioner and teacher early on and Magno became a teacher as a blue belt. Magno started and ran the highly regarded kids program at Renzo’s for 18 years before starting his own successful academy in Astoria. He has taken students from children to multiple time world champions. More importantly, Magno has positively impacted so many lives through his teaching and the sharing of his huge heart. I have had many great jiu-jitsu professors but none have had as much of a positive influence on me as Magno. We are incredibly fortunate to have such a high level instructor in our area.