AOJ Academy Kids Program
AOJ Academy Costa Mesa, 411 E. 17th Street, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
About
The AOJ Academy Kids Program focuses on Jiu Jitsu as its core activity. Classes are part of the broader AOJ Academy programs, which also include options for adults, nogi training, and private or small group lessons led by world-renowned instructors.
The AOJ Academy Kids Program is part of AOJ Academy, which describes its method as combining Martial Arts Philosophy, Technical Study, and Application & Competition. The program is described as being designed to build the next generation of champions by instilling core values like confidence, self-discipline, respect, and more through the martial art of Jiu Jitsu. AOJ Academy classes are led by instructors such as Rafael Mendes, Gui Mendes, Tainan Dalpra, Jessa Khan, Cole Abate, and Pablo Lavaselli, and each program’s curriculum is described as thoughtfully structured and organized. Rafael Mendes is a 6x World Champion, 2x ADCC Champion, and was inducted into both the IBJJF and ADCC Hall of Fame in 2022, and he is listed as a world class instructor. Gui Mendes is a 4x World Champion, Head Professor at AOJ Academy, and a member of the IBJJF Hall of Fame. Tainan Dalpra is a 2x Black Belt World Champion and is described as one of the head professors inside the academy. Jessa Khan is a World Champion at blue, purple, and brown belt, received her black belt from Professor Gui Mendes two days before her 19th birthday, and in 2023 won the black belt world title in the light-featherweight division; she is described as a black belt under Professor Gui Mendes. Cole Abate is a multiple-time World Champion in the colored belts, the youngest ever to win the ADCC Trials at age 16, and was promoted to black belt by Professor Gui Mendes in July 2023; he is described as a black belt under Professor Gui Mendes. Pablo Lavaselli is a 2x World Pro Champion, a Brazilian Nationals Champion, and is described as an integral part of AOJ Academy and the AOJ+ online platform. AOJ Academy states that it is an opportunity for personal development where world champions come together, that it is driven by a pursuit of “better,” and that it uses Jiu Jitsu as a mechanism for people to maximize their potential, with goals that extend beyond the mats. The academy notes that it hosts guests from all over the world on a daily basis and that members have access to both the Mission Viejo and Costa Mesa locations.
Last updated May 29, 2026.
The AOJ Academy Kids Program is part of AOJ Academy, which describes its method as combining Martial Arts Philosophy, Technical Study, and Application & Competition. The program is described as being designed to build the next generation of champions by instilling core values like confidence, self-discipline, respect, and more through the martial art of Jiu Jitsu. AOJ Academy classes are led by instructors such as Rafael Mendes, Gui Mendes, Tainan Dalpra, Jessa Khan, Cole Abate, and Pablo Lavaselli, and each program’s curriculum is described as thoughtfully structured and organized. Rafael Mendes is a 6x World Champion, 2x ADCC Champion, and was inducted into both the IBJJF and ADCC Hall of Fame in 2022, and he is listed as a world class instructor. Gui Mendes is a 4x World Champion, Head Professor at AOJ Academy, and a member of the IBJJF Hall of Fame. Tainan Dalpra is a 2x Black Belt World Champion and is described as one of the head professors inside the academy. Jessa Khan is a World Champion at blue, purple, and brown belt, received her black belt from Professor Gui Mendes two days before her 19th birthday, and in 2023 won the black belt world title in the light-featherweight division; she is described as a black belt under Professor Gui Mendes. Cole Abate is a multiple-time World Champion in the colored belts, the youngest ever to win the ADCC Trials at age 16, and was promoted to black belt by Professor Gui Mendes in July 2023; he is described as a black belt under Professor Gui Mendes. Pablo Lavaselli is a 2x World Pro Champion, a Brazilian Nationals Champion, and is described as an integral part of AOJ Academy and the AOJ+ online platform. AOJ Academy states that it is an opportunity for personal development where world champions come together, that it is driven by a pursuit of “better,” and that it uses Jiu Jitsu as a mechanism for people to maximize their potential, with goals that extend beyond the mats. The academy notes that it hosts guests from all over the world on a daily basis and that members have access to both the Mission Viejo and Costa Mesa locations.
Last updated May 29, 2026.
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