Bry Dillon – Alameda
Rank: Purple Belt
I’ve been training with Team Silva for about 4 years now. When I first stepped onto the mat with Sergio back in Oakland, he was very welcoming and actually rolled (sparred) with me that day. I had trained at other BJJ schools and rolled with a Black Belt before, however the experience was completely different. The first Black Belt that I ever trained with pretty much bullied me, showcasing his skills in front of the class with extreme intensity and pressure. The first time I trained with Sergio was completely different – his pace was steady and smooth, flowing from technique to technique. Although he submitted me throughout the process, I never felt in danger of being injured. That day I realized I had found the Jiu-Jitsu school I was looking for and joined Team Silva. I have been Sergio’s student ever since. No matter your age, fitness, or experience level, Team Silva has something for you. As you step on the mat, you are surrounded by a family atmosphere. It is an environment of studying, sharing and testing the art of BJJ. Team Silva Jiu Jitsu is a true gem of the bay area, led by one of the most gifted BJJ practitioners around.

Phil Cardella
Rank/Occupation: Black Belt (Pro MMA Fighter)

I have had the pleasure of training at Team Silva Jiu-Jitsu with Sergio & his students. It was an amazing experience to see people so positive, enthusiastic, and humble. They know how to train hard, safe, controlled & technical. It was very refreshing to have people excited to learn and enjoy the arts with such a level of positive enthusiasm, it became contagious. It is a remarkable group of people in a clean safe friendly training environment that is welcoming to all. They produce champions in competition and life, if I lived in the area thats the only place I would consider training. When I visit I make it a point to go there because its very motivating to be around people that are so passionate yet humble.

Tony – Alameda
Rank /Occupation: Brown Belt (Attorney)
I have been training with Sergio since the summer of 2004. I was almost 41 years old when I first started training. At that time I had worked out very consistently in the gym and running for about 3 years. I liked being in shape, but the monotony was killing me. I had always wanted to try a martial art when I was younger, but I could not afford it. I was also concerned about being too old. After my brother died, I was reminded that we have limited tomorrows and it is important to try things while we still can. The school has been like a fountain of youth for me. I have learned a ton of Jiu Jitsu. I have suffered the frustration of not being able to achieve as well as the thrill of breaking through to a deeper understanding of the Art. Sergio has a very thoughtful curriculum. He plans out the week with a certain focus. He know his students well and monitors their progress closely. The Academy has a strong culture of camaraderie. It is a close team where competition is truly friendly. We have a very strong and open community. I have seen the training experience transform many people, especially adolescents. The teenage years can be hard and cruel. It is a different experience if one has the confidence that they can competently defend themselves.

Misha recently won a gold metal at the 2011 American National Championships

Misha – Alameda
Rank/Occupation: Bluebelt (Business Owner)
I have been practicing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at Team Silva for less than six months now. The first time I came, a young teacher at the school was showing the class the drills and I said to him, “If I am able to do that, I will give you a $1,000!”. I couldn’t even imagine doing some of those drills at my age. Then, 5 months later, after practicing 4-5 times a week, I was able to do more than I had ever expected. I medaled in two different competitions; I won a silver medal at the U.S. Open in a category 15 years younger than me and placed first in an Alameda competition. At Team Silva, you not only learn the techniques of Jiu Jitsu, but they train you to become physically and mentally strong. The Academy gave me a lot of confidence to compete and I cant wait for the next one. One of the many things I really like about the Academy is that the higher belts help you learn faster than you could believe. They give their own time during training to help lower belts and always push you to go past your limitations. I have become addicted to training with Team Silva and I could never imagine my life with out it!

Dominick Baronowski – Alameda
Rank /Occupation: Purple Belt (Computer Programmer)
I started training at the dojo with Sergio about a year and a half ago. I must say that it has had a hugely positive effect on my life. BJJ is a very fun sport to learn and practice, and it’s in no small part thanks to Sergio’s style of teaching. I think that what really shows through is that he cares about everyone. And that attitude permeates the dojo. I felt welcome there from the first day and have not looked back. Now I can’t imagine going anywhere else. Oh, did I mention that Sergio has got some serious skills both in BJJ and MMA. He can get you ready to step into the cage if that’s what you want. And he can teach you BJJ just for fun. Either way he’ll give you the same level of instruction, and that is rare.

Gordon – Alameda
Rank/Occupation: Blue Belt (Police Officer)
Sergio Silva teaches his students with solid fundamental techniques. I work in a jail custodial environment where I must interact with new arrestees/stressed out inmates on a murder case/mentals on a everyday basis. Being self-defense able is vital to my career. Sergio has taught his students the proper game plan to defend one’s self. Being the suspect is bigger and stronger, armed with a weapon, or have friends, Sergio teaches various methods to close in on the odds towards your favor where running away is not an option. Obviously there are no guarantees when it comes to fighting on the street but these odds are greatly enhanced to keeping yourself alive. Although self-defense is a part of Sergio Silva’s curriculum, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu is his primary focus. Sergio has shown a lot of heart and dedication when it comes to teaching his students. He takes them in pride. He teaches about 98% of the classes we have in a year and trains with his students as well. After training with his students, Sergio gives solid personalized advice on how to improve one’s game. You cannot beat that kinda of personalized advice anywhere! Sergio’s competitive team has won many awards from many prestigious tournaments and mma fights. US Open, Abu Dhabi prequalifying, Grappler’s Quest to name a few. I plan to stay with Sergio for the long haul. Even if someday I get finally achieve my black belt, I will still be training and learning from him.

Ricardo – El Cerrito
Rank: Brown Belt
This place is awesome! I train Jiu-Jitsu since 1999 and was transferred by my company from Brazil to the bay area. After almost a year training in other BJJ clubs around the area I finally found a place that emphasizes technique rather than just pure physical strength. Sergio is a great competitor and a phenomenal teacher, with an amazing technical repertoire that is transmitted every day to his students (after almost a decade training Jiu-Jitsu in Brazil with world renowned BJJ masters, I feel obliged to say that I am truly amazed by his vast BJJ knowledge). He sets the tone for the club and its affiliates, and is responsible for the positive and friendly attitude that characterizes the Team Silva BJJ family. Cody has a lot of talent and his dedication to Jiu-Jitsu and his students is inspiring. All folks over at Team Silva are friendly and I’m very happy to be part of the team. If you want to learn Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in its purest form (and it does make a HUGE difference, make no mistake about that) do not hesitate to visit the Alameda, El Cerrito or Hayward locations.

Marvin Hernandez – Alameda
Rank: Blue Belt
I’ve been training jujitsu now for two years and some change. Coming from a martial arts background I’ve seen my fair share of instructors. Sergio silva is by far the most involved with his students. How many instructors you know on a daily basis spar with you and give you first hand information about how to improve your way of fighting? With so many students from the highest ranking students to the newest of members we are all Team Silva. With Sergio at the front I call my coach and my brothers for advice on my game and just to hang out. That’s what you get at team Silva friendship and great training. We compete together win together lose together and give one another constructive advice. There is no crowd in a crowd. Walk through the door and you will find a team. Everybody has a place at team Silva come and find yours.

Matthew Duya – Alameda
Rank: Purple Belt
Training with Sergio is always a pleasure. I have been his student for some four or five years now and will be for many more years. His wealth of knowledge and attention to detail never ceases to amaze me. I am always learning something from Sergio, whether it be a new technique or a tweak in something I already know to make it work better for me. Through his teachings I have been able to medal in almost every tournament I competed in. He can even give you techniques that suit your own style to make you THAT much better. If you want to learn BJJ for fun, self defense, or for competition Sergio is the man to see. He is a great teacher, coach, and overall great guy. I can go on about why you should learn from Sergio, but it’ll take up too much time. If there’s anything that will get you to at least try out a class I hope it’s this: I drive from over 40 miles ONE way to train with Sergio and the team. He MUST be doing something right. Right?

Berkly Hinton – Hayward
Rank: White Belt
I began Training at Team Silva in Hayward about eight months ago and have literally become a new person. I look and feel better physically. I have a strong sense of motivation, thanks to the dedication it takes to train in this beautiful martial art. I’m so addicted now that I’ve even begun bringing my friends into the sport. It’s common knowledge that a low-level Jiu Jitsu practitioner is more dangerous than a high-level practitioner of almost every other martial art. After only eight months, I’ve already competed once and plan to again as soon as possible. My only regret is that I did not discover BJJ and Team Silva sooner.

Danny Tran – Hayward
Rank: White Belt
Been Training at this Academy for 6 months now and it has been a life training a experience. Derrick Easterling, Sergio Silva, David Thompson are all great instructors who take their time to help each student learn at his or her own pace.. With in 6 months i was able to capture a championship at the Bay Area Jiu Jitsu Championship 2010 in white belt Novice GI division. and 3rd place in Men beginner No Gi Grappling thanks to the help of the guys at Team Silva BJJ hayward…

Christian “Pirata” Hernandez – Alameda
Rank: Purple Belt
I started training Jiu jitsu in September of 2007. When I first went to Open Door I felt at home, I jumped right in. I wrestled in my youth from age 11 till high school. I also did Boxing and Muay Thai for 4 and a half years and then took a break from training. In 2007 I found Open Door while working in the area and decided to train there. Since then I have not stopped. For my first tournament, the U.S. Open in Santa Cruz, I trained for three weeks and placed. Since then I have competed in Grappler’s Quest, Pan Am Jiu Jitsu, American Cup, and International Jiu Jitsu in Brazil. In total, I have competed in 8 tournaments and I placed in every competition, except one, from gold to bronze. Most recenly I took first at the 2009 US Open and Mundials (World Championships) for blue belts. I plan to continue competing and training hard, hopefully to earn my black belt one day. In the future I would love to teach and pass on my knowledge to the younger generations.

 

 

I have been a student of Professor Silva for about 6 months, and during this time, I have learned a great deal and I have even competed in one tournament. I joined the academy with no experience or knowledge, and the classes have helped me develop a foundation to my bjj game. I love the curriculum that Professor Silva sets. In class, we often do drills that help us learn the basics and fundamentals. His teaching is very detailed and technical, and will show you a move, step by step, from beginning to end. Although the classes are serious, Sergio is a very approachable and funny person and he adds a lot of humor to the class and it makes classes and the training fun. During my first week of joining the academy, I went in there wondering if there were going to be higher level students who were going to act arrogant and try to intimidate the white belts, and that was never the case. Since day one, I have always felt welcomed; the higher belts are always so willing to help the lower belts as well. Sergio Silva is an excellent instructor and also a great person; he’s always stressing the importance of respecting and helping others. I would recommend anyone who wants to learn martial arts or bjj to join Team Silva.

 

 

I believe the leader of any organization determines the feel of a group as a whole. Sergio Silva is enthusiastic and passionate about what he does and it transfers to the instructors and to the students. He fosters a welcoming, disciplined, yet fun environment to learn in. No academy is perfect. But everyone is so friendly, you really start feeling like you have a family, not just a place to learn. In terms of learning, he is full of knowledge and provides a well rounded curriculum. And even if you have a question about some other move that we hadn’t touch on in class, you feel like you can ask him about it and he will have no problem showing you. Sometimes he’ll just show you a random move he just learned or one that he knows you would like because he is so excited about jiu jitsu. On top of all this, Sergio Silva is a real funny guy and you can’t go wrong with that!