Rob Constance - Renzo Gracie Black Belt

Rob Constance, a United States Marine Corps veteran and former New York City police officer began his formal training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with the Gracie family. He has been awarded titles in both Grappler’s Quest and Naga in addition to winning Florida State’s Heavy Weight Blue Belt Division. Rob has also participated in numerous Superfights, the New York City Golden Gloves, New York State Golden Gloves, and New York City Metros. Competing in the mixed martial arts for over a decade, he is also an Abu-Dhabi trials veteran. After nine years on the police force, Rob has returned as an educator, directing and teaching seminars in defensive tactic training at the New York City Police Academy. He also travels to other Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Academies nationwide to teach seminars. Rob also developed a self-defense seminar for women incorporating the fundamentals of BJJ.

As a result of extensive training and study with such prestigious names as Renzo, Ralph, Ryan, Rolles, and Igor Gracie, Rob was presented with his black belt under Renzo Gracie and now brings his advanced techniques and effective teaching styles to Renzo Gracie Academy Hoboken.

Peter Tay

Peter Tay’s Jiu Jitsu training began on Long Island, New York in 1990. He studied the Hakko Ryu Jiu Jitsu style at the American Jiu Jitsu Centers. This classical style of Jiu Jitsu focuses on self defense format for the most common violent confrontations today. With its focus on small joint manipulation, the practitioner can subdue a larger opponent by using knowledge of human anatomy. Having trained under O’Sensei Joe Puleio, Peter attained his first degree black belt in 1996 and second degree black belt in 2004 in the American Jiu Jitsu system.

In 2004, Peter founded Gotham Jiu Jitsu, a personal training service catering to educational institutions, corporations, and individuals by bringing the benefits of Jiu Jitsu directly to their offices, homes, and private facilities throughout NYC. Peter has taught self defense classes and rape prevention seminars at colleges including New York University, Dowling College, and The New School; law firms including Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP; and non-profit organizations including New York Cares.

In 2006, Peter started training at the Renzo Gracie Academy in NYC. Since attaining the rank of purple under two of the world’s foremost authorities in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, John Danaher and Renzo Gracie, Peter partnered with Renzo Grace Hoboken, to head the Women’s Self Defense and Kids Jiu Jitsu programs.

Today, Peter combines both aspects of traditional Jiu Jitsu and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu into a workout challenging all of his clients. Peter believes both styles are equally important to the practitioner as it increases confidence and self esteem.

Elijah Clarke

Elijah Clarke has five years experience training Muay Thai. He began training under Kru Brandon Levi (Evolution Muay Thai) and in just 8 months time competed in his first fight. Elijah's first five fights resulted in consecutive wins including a knock out head kick at the Friday Night Fights Event.

Currently, Elijah is training with the Renzo Gracie Academy under Kru Joseph Sampieri for the past year and a half. He also has the great pleasure to train under Jamie Crowder, Florina Petcu, Brent Bentely, Michael McKee, Patrick Yee, and Lucas Noonan.

To date, Elijah's most notable opponents have been Preston Baptiste and Gaius Ebratt. Muay Thai is a life long commitment for Elijah as his plans for the future are to go pro.

It is our privilege to have him instructing our Muay Thai classes at Renzo Gracie Hoboken.

Renzo Gracie Hoboken • 118 Washington St, 2nd Floor Hoboken, NJ 07030 • 201-710-5885