Renzo Gracie & our lineage
From the Gracie family to our mat in Amersfoort. Discover the people and knowledge behind our academy.
Renowned champions
Georges St-Pierre and Gordon Ryan trained with John Danaher at the Renzo Gracie Academy in New York. Renzo and his team have also coached several champions in BJJ and MMA:
- Georges St-Pierre: former UFC champion; refined his grappling with John Danaher.
- Gordon Ryan: ADCC champion; developed under Danaher at the academy.
- Matt Serra: former UFC champion and a black belt under Renzo Gracie.
- Frankie Edgar: former UFC champion, coached by Renzo Gracie.
- Roger Gracie: ten-time jiu-jitsu world champion, also coached by Renzo.
- Chris Weidman: former UFC champion; worked on his jiu-jitsu with John Danaher.
Renzo Gracie
Renzo Gracie is a member of the renowned Gracie family. Born in Rio de Janeiro, he grew up with jiu-jitsu. His grandfather was Carlos Gracie, and his teachers included Rolls Gracie and Carlos Gracie Jr. In 1996, Renzo founded his academy in New York, playing a significant role in spreading Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu beyond Brazil. Alongside a fighting career that included the UFC and PRIDE, he became an influential teacher and mentor. His students include Matt Serra, Roger Gracie and John Danaher. His legacy continues through the academies and instructors who pass on this knowledge.
George Sernack & our lineage
Renzo Gracie → George Sernack → Kemail Verhoeven → Marcin Kasprzyk
Lineage is the chain of teachers who pass on their knowledge. Kemail began training with George Sernack in New Jersey in 2005 and received his black belt from him in 2014. He also trained for many years at the Renzo Gracie Academy in New York. This connects our academy to an international tradition of jiu-jitsu.
Kemail Verhoeven & Renzo Gracie Holland
Renzo Gracie Amersfoort is affiliated with Renzo Gracie Holland. Kemail Verhoeven is a third-degree black belt and an important part of our technical heritage.
Classes in Amersfoort are taught by our local coaching team, led by head coach Marcin Kasprzyk. You learn step by step, with personal guidance and respect for your training partners.
Renzo Gracie is the academy’s namesake and part of our lineage; he does not teach regular classes in Amersfoort.
Marcin Kasprzyk
Owner & head coach · BJJ black belt since 2026
Marcin is the next link in our line of teachers: Kemail Verhoeven → Marcin Kasprzyk. Through Renzo Gracie Holland, he brings this knowledge to the mat in Amersfoort.
He has trained Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu since 2017 and taught adults and children since 2018. In 2026, he received his black belt at Renzo Gracie Holland. As owner and head coach, he guides both beginners and competitors.
He translates his international competition experience into clear explanations, careful attention to technique and personal guidance. In this way, our lineage continues through every class.