Jonathan W. Torres

Jonathan "JT" Torres is the founder and head instructor of Essential Jiu Jitsu and a fourth-degree black belt. He began training at 15, decided early to make jiu jitsu his career, and became one of the youngest Americans to earn a black belt, at age 19. His competition record includes two ADCC world titles, a World No Gi championship, a silver medal at the Worlds in the gi, Pan American gi and no-gi titles, a European championship, American National gi and no-gi titles, a Brazilian National silver medal, and New York Open and Asian Open championships. After making his name in the Northeast and then competing out of California, he returned to his home state of New York to open the academy, where he teaches a fundamentals-based style. He has taught adult and kids classes throughout his career and gives seminars at academies around the world.