Kailua-Kona business owner Horlando Monteiro was born in the Amazon Rainforest and raised in Brazil’s oceanside city of Natal. Growing up there, he says, he was a “scrappy young kid” often engaging in street fighting with friends.
Today, that scrappy kid is 31 years old and respected as one of his generation’s top contenders in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) competitions worldwide. Early this year, he clinched first place at the Miami Winter International Open in the Masters 1 Black Belt Medium/Heavy Division, and in late March, he brought home two gold medals from the Pan IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship in Orlando, Fla.
He is also the humble, welcoming owner and head coach at Foundation BJJ gym located in Kailua-Kona’s new industrial area.
Literally translated from the Japanese Ju (gentle) Jitsu (art) Jiu-Jitsu, he says, focuses on self-defense techniques using ground fighting, grappling and submission holds. Unlike other forms of martial arts, kicking, punching and slapping are not allowed.
“In Brazil, Jiu-Jitsu is quickly catching up with soccer as the country’s most popular sport, and it continues to grow worldwide,” Horlando says.
He moved to Hawaiʻi Island with his wife, Victoria, in 2019, following six years in Arizona, where he refined his skills with one of the sport’s most esteemed masters, Coach Gustavo Dantas, an affiliate of his team in Brazil.
“In Arizona, my focus was building my name and reputation outside of Brazil. The location also provided more opportunities for me to compete in tournaments throughout the U.S. and the world,” he says. “Coach, in his forties at the time, told me, ‘I see myself in you when I was your age.’ That meant everything to me.”
Among the many wise things shared by Coach Gustavo, Horlando says, was that an individual’s will to prepare must always be stronger than the will to win. “I will always be loyal to him and enormously thankful for his mentorship,” he says.
As much as he appreciated his time in Arizona, Horlando always felt something was missing. Visits home to Natal with its lush tropical landscape, beautiful ocean and beaches, and relaxed lifestyle held the answer—Arizona just wasn’t home. He found home again on his very first trip to Hawaiʻi in 2014—at a competition on Oʻahu where he made friends with local participants.
“I fell in love with it, and following a short visit to Hawaiʻi Island in 2017 as a guest of one of the competitors—I fell even harder,” he says.
During that visit, Horlando met Keola Auko, the founder of Foundation BJJ gym in 2014. They became quick friends and in 2022, having made Hawaiʻi Island his family’s full-time residence two years earlier, Horlando purchased the gym.
Now, with nearly 20 years of experience training, competing and teaching, Horlando advocates for the benefits of adopting and maintaining a healthy lifestyle—including physical and mental self-care, a clean diet focused on nutritious proteins, vegetables and fruits—and the importance of building a community that takes care of one another.
“There are so many problems in the world today, so much division. At the end of the day, we need to be there for each other and help each other achieve our goals. At Foundation BJJ gym, our priority is providing a safe, welcoming environment for adults and keiki built on kindness and respect,” Horlando says.
Comprehensive BJJ programs, led by Horlando and his team of professional instructors, are offered for all skill levels from beginners to advanced practitioners. Classes with a structured curriculum focus on physical fitness, technique and strategy.
Providing a space where individuals can build self-confidence, develop coordination and find a supportive community—all while learning the art of self-defense—is a priority, he says.
“We encourage everyone to always reach for a higher mindset as part of their self-defense training,” he says. “Cultivating patience, focus, discipline and respect are all part of the process.”
And respect includes wearing the traditional Gi uniform for most classes, though advanced training in Adult No-Gi-style BJJ is also offered. That training focuses on perfecting dynamic, fast-paced techniques to dominate in No-Gi competitions, Horlando says.
Regularly scheduled weekly classes include:
Kids Gi Fundamentals (Ages 4-9)
Designed to introduce children to the foundational techniques of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, the program promotes discipline, confidence and physical coordination in a fun and supportive environment.
Teens Gi Fundamentals (Ages 10-15)
Designed to prepare young athletes for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournaments by developing advanced techniques and strategic preparation. The training equips teens with the skills and mindset necessary to thrive and excel in competitive settings.
Adult Gi Competition program
A meticulously crafted program to propel athletes to the forefront of high-level Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournaments. With an innovative curriculum, intensive training and personalized coaching, participants unlock their full potential, develop a winning mindset and hone the skills required to dominate at the highest adult level.
In addition to the classes outlined above, the gym frequently hosts workshops led by world-class Jiu-Jitsu athletes from regions all over the globe. Horlando invites Hawaiʻi Island residents to participate in a free trial class with a loaner GI uniform provided; contact the gym to register.
“My wife, Victoria, has been key to the success of our gym, and my daughter, Kauany, inspires me every day.” –Horlando Monteiro.