THE ELITE PEDIGREE
Architects of Mastery
Defining the standard of Jiu Jitsu through pedigree, technical mastery, and a relentless commitment to competition excellence.
Our coaching staff is built on experience, professionalism, and a genuine commitment to every person who steps onto our mats. Whether you are walking in for your very first class or preparing for high-level competition, our instructors are dedicated to helping you grow. We believe Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is for everyone — regardless of age, background, or experience — and our coaches take pride in meeting each student where they are and guiding them forward with patience, structure, and purpose.
At our academy, professionalism matters. Our coaches lead by example, creating a culture rooted in discipline, respect, and continuous improvement. They are committed not only to developing technical skill, but also to building confidence, resilience, and character. When you train with us, you are not just learning techniques — you are being supported by a team that is fully invested in your progress, your safety, and your long-term success on and off the mats.
Anthony Ficacci
Head Coach | OWNER
Anthony Ficacci is a high-level Jiu Jitsu athlete who began his journey on the local competition scene and, through relentless dedication, quickly rose to dominate—winning consistently in both his weight class and the absolute divisions. By the time he reached blue belt, Anthony knew he wanted to test his limits on the world stage. He has since competed at the IBJJF World Championships every year and travels internationally to compete in IBJJF Opens. Anthony is a top-ranked IBJJF Gi competitor and has also cross-trained in Judo, where he captured gold in his very first tournament, winning every match by ippon. He began training in Jiu Jitsu at the age of 22 under Alex Kennedy of Gael Force Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, originally with the simple goal of getting in shape. What began as a fitness pursuit quickly became a lifelong passion and dedication to the art. Inspired by the philosophy, “True strength lies in technique” — Roger Gracie, Anthony built his game around technical precision from the very beginning. While he continues to push himself at the highest levels of competition, his true passion lies in teaching and developing his students. Through refined, high-level techniques and training methods developed over years of study, Anthony Ficacci is committed to helping his students become the best Jiu Jitsu practitioners and competitors they can be—instilling the same obsession, discipline, and love for technical mastery that defines his own approach to the sport.
Alex Kennedy
ASSISTANT COACH | Black belt
Alex is a second-degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under fourth-degree Renzo Gracie black belt Jamie Cruz, bringing both elite-level training and extensive teaching experience to the mats. He spent 11 years teaching special education in the Paterson Public School District, drawing on that background to provide structured, individualized instruction that supports students of all learning styles. Alex developed a comprehensive beginner curriculum specifically designed to make learning Jiu Jitsu clear, efficient, and approachable. He has trained under world-renowned instructors including Jamie Cruz, Marcelo Garcia, Paul Schreiner, and Bernardo Faria, and has released two instructional videos on the popular platform BJJ Fanatics. In addition to group classes, Alex is also available for private instruction to help students accelerate their progress.
Adam Riley
Assistant Coach | black Belt | no-Gi
Adam earned his black belt in 2025 and is an exceptional No-Gi instructor known for blending multiple grappling styles into his teaching. His instruction emphasizes adaptability, control, and real-world application, creating a dynamic and effective learning environment for students of all levels. A former police officer and certified C4C defensive tactics instructor, Coach Adam brings valuable real-world experience and a strong focus on safety to the mats. In addition to group classes, he is also available for private lessons to help students refine their skills and accelerate their progress.
Jing Chen
womens coach
Jing is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu purple belt and serves as our Head Women’s Coach, providing extremely detail-oriented instruction in a fun, safe, and supportive environment. With a background in Krav Maga, she incorporates techniques from multiple martial arts into her classes, emphasizing the importance of versatility and practical self-defense. Jing’s teaching style blends precision, creativity, and safety, helping students build confidence, develop strong fundamentals, and enjoy every step of their Jiu Jitsu journey.
Trisha Guzman
WOMENS coach
She is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu purple belt who began her journey in 2021. With a small stature, she has refined her technique and timing to a high level, relying on precision, leverage, and intelligent movement over brute strength. Her professional background in engineering naturally flows into the dynamic problem-solving nature of jiu-jitsu, where strategy, efficiency, and adaptability are key. She is passionate about honoring the body through healthy living, disciplined habits, and consistent strength training. Guided by the principle that “iron sharpens iron,” she sees training partners as essential to growth and believes a strong community is built by uplifting and supporting one another on and off the mats.
Alexandra "Sasha" Perez
youth academy coach
Sasha, a Jiu Jitsu blue belt and Judo green belt, began her martial arts journey at just five years old in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and expanded her training into Judo at age nine. Through years of dedication, hard work, and competitive experience, she rose to become a first-place Judoka in her division in 2018 and proudly represented the United States at the Pan American Games. As an accomplished competitor in both Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Sasha has developed a dynamic grappling style that blends powerful throws with a highly technical ground game. Her commitment to excellence, discipline, and relentless work ethic have made her a standout athlete and role model for aspiring martial artists. Today, Sasha continues to train and compete at a high level while inspiring students through her passion for martial arts, leadership, and pursuit of continuous growth both on and off the mat.
Mike Tichy
assistant coach | Black belt
Mike is a First-Degree Black Belt under Alex Kennedy with the supervision of Jamie Cruz. With a strong passion for both teaching and mentorship, Mike brings a unique and effective approach to the mats. Drawing from his extensive experience as a musician and educator who has performed and taught both locally and internationally, he understands the value of consistent practice, attention to detail, and long-term skill development. Mike incorporates these principles into his instruction, creating a supportive learning environment that helps students build confidence, refine technique, and achieve their goals. His dedication to his students and commitment to excellence make him an invaluable member of our coaching team, and we are proud to have him as an instructor.
Kevin Heitzman
head Judo coach | black belt
Kevin is a Judo black belt and a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu brown belt, as well as, a lifelong wrestler and a national-level Judo competitor with extensive experience competing at the highest levels. He has a unique talent for teaching takedown systems tailored to individual styles, helping students maximize their effectiveness on the mats. His Judo classes are specifically designed to teach practical, high-level takedowns for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, combining precision, strategy, and technique. Coach Kevin is also available for private lessons to provide personalized instruction and accelerate student development.
The Philosophy
The Wisdom Method
At Wisdom Jiu Jitsu, our philosophy is built on the foundation that technical mastery transcends physical force. We emphasize precision, leverage, and the strategic economy of movement, empowering our students to navigate high-pressure situations with a clear and focused mind. Our curriculum doesn't just teach the mechanics of grappling; it cultivates a lifelong dedication to personal evolution, discipline, and the pursuit of wisdom on and off the mats. We believe in fostering an environment where every practitioner finds their path to excellence, guided by the highest standards of the martial arts tradition.
"Wisdom Jiu Jitsu Academy is truly a one of a kind school"
STUDENT
"Coach Anthony is patient, knowledgeable and an excellent teacher."
Active Competitor
"Coach Tony has an incredible way of teaching fundamentals. My daughter's confidence has skyrocketed."
Academy Parent