Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for Doral Families — Train at Winners Academy in Sunny Isles
Winners Jiu-Jitsu Academy is the closest world-champion BJJ school to Doral that consistently teaches in Portuguese. Head Coach Jonatas Gurgel is Brazilian, a 2x World Cup Champion, and Portuguese is heard on the mats daily — making us a natural fit for Doral's large Brazilian and Latin American community. The drive is real (about 30 minutes via the Palmetto and William Lehman Causeway), but the families who make it tell us it's the only academy where their kids hear instruction in their home language.
Doral has one of the densest Brazilian populations in the United States — roughly a quarter of the city traces its roots to Brazil, and Portuguese is the second language on signage from Doral Boulevard to NW 79th Avenue. For parents who want their child learning Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the language the art was developed in, we are the only world-class option in the region. Coach Jonatas teaches in Portuguese as fluidly as English; many of our most senior students do the same on the mat.
The commute is honest: about 30 minutes off-peak via the Palmetto Expressway east, then the William Lehman Causeway across to Collins Avenue. Worst-case rush hour pushes it toward 45. The Doral families who train with us are typically committed — they've tried closer options, decided that championship-level coaching matters more than convenience, and built their week around it. Many train 1–2 evenings plus Saturday morning. A surprising number also use private lessons as a way to compress their training into fewer trips.
A note on summer: Doral has strong demand for summer programming, and we run extended morning blocks in June, July, and August. If you're a Doral family looking to keep your child active and structured during the long break, our summer schedule is built for it — more morning slots, longer kids classes, and a slightly different age-mixing structure that lets siblings train together when school is out.
Our head coach Jonatas Gurgel is a 2x IBJJF World Cup Champion (2004, 2005), 3x Pan American Champion, 4x Brazilian National Champion, and 3x World Championship bronze medalist. He has 25+ years on the mats and has been teaching in Sunny Isles since 2012. For Doral families, the combination of competition pedigree, Brazilian cultural fluency, and a structured kids program from age 3 is the reason the drive is worth it.
Address
17100 Collins Ave.
Suite 201
Sunny Isles Beach, FL 33160
Hours
Mon–Fri 4:00–9:00 PM
Sat 9:30 AM–12:30 PM
Sun Closed
Contact
(786) 527-2462
Directions from Doral
From Downtown Doral (around NW 36th St): Palmetto Expressway (826) east, then William Lehman Causeway (856) across to Collins Avenue, north to 17100 Collins (Suite 201). About 30 minutes off-peak; 40–45 in heavy traffic. Free on-site parking.
Why Doral residents choose Winners
Portuguese instruction every class
Brazilian head coach, Brazilian senior students — Portuguese is the second language of our academy, not a translated overlay. For Doral families, your child will hear the language at the academy that they hear at home.
World-champion pedigree
Coach Jonatas is a 2x World Cup Champion, 3x Pan Am Champion, and 4x Brazilian National Champion. Doral has plenty of BJJ — but no other option offers instruction at this competition level within reasonable driving distance.
Summer programming built for Doral families
Extended morning blocks June–August, longer kids classes, sibling-friendly structure. Designed for parents whose school routine breaks down during summer break.
Private lessons that justify the drive
Many of our Doral students use a hybrid model: 1 weekly group class plus a monthly private. The private compresses 4 weeks of normal progression into a single high-density session — efficient for families balancing the commute.
Programs for Doral students
Jonatas Gurgel
2x World Cup Champion, 3x Pan American Champion, 4x Brazilian National Champion, and undefeated 5-0 professional MMA fighter. Every class at Winners — kids or adults — is led by Jonatas or coaches trained under his 20+ years of teaching experience.
Full bio & championship recordQuestions from Doral residents
Is the coaching available in Portuguese?+
Yes. Head Coach Jonatas Gurgel is Brazilian and teaches fluidly in Portuguese for both kids and adults. Multiple coaches and senior students also speak Portuguese, so your child will hear it on the mat every class.
How long is the drive from Doral?+
About 30 minutes off-peak via the Palmetto Expressway (826) and William Lehman Causeway (856). Plan for 40–45 minutes in rush hour, especially in the 4:30–6:30 PM window.
Do you offer a summer camp or summer schedule for Doral kids?+
Yes. From June through August we run extended morning kids classes, longer training blocks, and a more flexible age structure so siblings can train in the same window. Many Doral families use this as structured childcare with a fitness and discipline component.
Is there a Brazilian community at the academy?+
Yes. Between Coach Jonatas, the coaching staff, and Brazilian student families (many from Doral itself), Portuguese is heard on the mats every single class. Many of our most senior adult students are part of the Brazilian community.
Can my Doral child train with kids from their school?+
Sometimes — we have several Doral families enrolled. We can't guarantee a specific overlap, but you're likely to recognize at least one face on a given evening, especially in the 8–12 age group.
Is the drive realistic for weekly training?+
It is for committed families. Most Doral students train 1–2 weeknight classes plus Saturday morning. For higher volume, the drive becomes a factor — at which point many families add periodic private lessons to compress training into fewer trips.
Do you accept new students mid-summer or mid-school-year?+
Yes, all year. There's no cohort schedule — every class starts you wherever your current skill is, and we group sparring partners appropriately. Most Doral families start with a free trial first to see the academy in action.
Also serving nearby communities
Ready to start training?
First class is free. No experience needed. No commitment.
Book Your Free Doral Trial