Paulo Wesley Lopes

Paulo Wesley Lopes, known as Mestre Pagels, is the professor and technical head of Pagels Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He holds a sixth-degree black belt recognised by FJJ-Rio, CBJJ and IBJJF, and was formed by Grão Mestre Francisco Mansor of Kioto. The site credits him as the pioneer who officially introduced Brazilian jiu-jitsu to the Sul Fluminense region, beginning in Volta Redonda in April 1994, followed by Barra Mansa, Angra dos Reis and, from 2005, Rio de Janeiro. In 2008 he founded the WBJJA together with Thadeu Vieira and served as its technical coordinator until January 2010. His other disciplines include Aiki-Jitsu, Atemi-Jitsu and boxing instruction, and in 2013 the World Federation Cacoy Doce Pares awarded him the title of 6th Dan master in Cacoy Pangamot Filipino jiu-jitsu.