Kinematic Instructors
Thiago Areas
Head Instructor
Born in Rio de Janeiro, Thiago started training Jiu Jitsu at the age of 12. He quickly became addicted to the sport and has been training ever since currently being a black belt third degree under Master Pedro Sauer.
Thiago holds a bachelor degree in international relations and although his career in corporate world sometimes hindered his ability to train and compete, Thiago never fully stopped training and competing.
Having placed at second in the Brazilian championship and having multiple medals, for Thiago, Jiu jitsu is a passion and a lifestyle.
Davis Fleming
Instructor
Program Director
Coach Davis has been a competitive athlete his whole life and has over 30 yrs. Martial Arts experience.
Davis began playing competitive football at age 8 and played into college before suffering a career ending injury. He began wrestling in the 3rd Grade and continued until his college injury, competing in folk and freestyle.
After his playing day were over he began studying Tae Kwon do and other fighting arts, eventually earning his 3rd degree and Instructor status. Davis also holds a 1st degree in American Kickboxing and has trained and taught Muay Thai for over 10 years.
At age 30, after a long time involvement in strength training Davis began competitive Powerlifting eventually becoming an American record holder in Bench, Squat and Total. He also trained several successful competitors.
Returning to college at age 38 he went on to receive his BA in Psychology and Kinesiology, then a Masters in Exercise Physiology. This training and experience he has used to train athletes in many different sports concentrating now on combat athletes.
Davis began training Jiu-Jitsu in 2007 in Houston Texas. Through the years he has had the opportunity to train with amazing instructors and in Seminars with “Draculino” Vinicius Magalhaes, Octavio “Ratchino” Couto, Chad “Robo” Robichaux, Carlos Gracie Jr., Flavio Almeda, Robson Moura, Xande Ribeiro, Mark Cukro & Pedro Sauer to name a few. Davis holds the rank of black belt under Master Pedro Sauer.
Davis has a passion to help others grow and to assist in providing a guide for the achievement of whatever your goals may be.
Greg Castro
Youth Program Director
Instructor
Greg Castro grew up in Sacramento, California, where he started training Karate at seven years old. He joined the Marine Corps in 2007, and in 2009, Greg became a certified Black Belt instructor in the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program, focusing on hand-to-hand, edged weapons, and close-quarters combat techniques. While stationed in California in 2010, Greg was introduced to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu; however, because of his commitment to the Armed Services, Greg continuously traveled worldwide to support humanitarian missions and combat operations until 2015.
In 2016, Greg reignited his training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and joined the Kinematic Martial Arts Academy. Greg currently holds the rank of purple belt under Master Pedro Sauer. In addition to Jiu-Jitsu he also has experience in Kajukenbo, a hybrid martial art that combines Karate, Judo, Jujutsu, Kenpo, and Boxing.
Alan Sakoman
Day to Day Operations
Associate Instructor
Alan Sakoman grew up in Zagreb, Croatia, and came to the United States in 1996. From an early age, Alan's passion for martial arts was inspired by his Uncle, a professional boxer and amateur Muay Thai fighter. In 2001, Alan started studying Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu at the Dayton Bujinkan Dojo in Ohio and currently holds 15th Dan. In his training, Alan started incorporating BJJ and Kosen Judo ground grappling arts in 2005 and competed in several NAGA and GJJ tournaments with great success.
After moving to Charlotte, Alan started officially training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Coach Mark Cukro in 2016. He currently holds a rank of purple belt in the Pedro Sauer Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Association. With over 20 years of martial arts experience, Alan continues to train with the same passion and enthusiasm for learning. Alan's goal is to inspire others through martial arts training, as his Uncle did for him all those years ago.