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Christopher Garber, Instructor

Genuine Hélio Gracie Jiu-Jitsu

Christopher Garber was the 2008 Brazilian National Champion for the Confederaçao Brasileira de Jiu- Jitsu. Garber earned the title at the Brazilian National Championship sponsored by the International Federation of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu held in Rio de Janeiro. Garber is one of a handful of Americans in the history of the sport to win the Brazilian National Title.

Garber studied Gracie Jiu -Jitsu under the direction of Pedro and Gui Valente at the Valente Brothers Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Miami Beach.  He also had the privilege of taking lessons with the founder of the art: Grand Master Hélio Gracie. He relocated to São Paulo, Brazil in 2007 to train and compete under five-time Jiu-Jitsu World Champion Fabio Gurgel where he subsequently was

asked to join the Alliance team. As a key member of the World Champion Alliance Jiu-Jitsu team, Garber won the silver medal at the 2009 European Championships held in Lisbon, Portugal, a bronze medal at the 2008 International Masters and Seniors Championship held in Rio de Janeiro, and placed in the quarterfinals at the 2008 World Championship and 2008 Pan American Championship, both held in Los Angeles.

Previous to practicing in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, Garber was the 1994 Army III Corps Wrestling Champion for the United States Army based in Fort Hood, TX and Fort Polk, LA as well as a member of the varsity wrestling team at Kent State University in Ohio in the late 1990s.

Garber is a 1999 graduate from Kent State University where he majored in Education. Combining his passion for jiu-jitsu with his gift of teaching others, Garber has led seminars in self-defense and combat for the US Army as well as participating in the training of law enforcement officers in South Florida.  In addition to jiu-jitsu, Garber has spent time in both Brazil and India where he worked with disadvantaged youth and the homeless helping to instill self-discipline and self- respect.

By using the time-proven self defense tactics of genuine Gracie jiu-jitsu that pit bio-mechanics and technique over brute strength, Garber believes that anyone can improve his or her overall sense of physical and emotional well-being through the diligent study of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. To schedule a seminar, private class or to find out more about group classes Garber can be reached at info@TheSelf-DefenseCenter.com or (305) 775-3859.