Range BJJ NYC
At Range BJJ NYC, we cater everything we do with our customers/students in mind and our mission is to offer our students the very best Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instruction and training, so that they may reach their highest potential in a safe, supportive environment.
We believe that the journey is as important as the destination and each student has their own unique path.
EDUARDO CAPELUTO (Head Instructor)
Originally from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Eduardo relocated to NYC in 2000. As an American Citizen, he established life and family in the upper east side of town. For many years, Eduardo envisioned bringing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to the heart of the Upper East Side of Manhattan, as it was one of the few NYC neighborhoods that did not have a BJJ presence.
Eduardo started his BJJ journey in the early 1990s and through the years had the privilege to have learned under the tutelage of Professors Fabio Gurgel, Romero ‘Jacare’ Cavalcanti, Marcelo Garcia, and Lucas Lepri.
In 2010 Eduardo received his Black Belt from Lucas Lepri.
Eduardo believes that the Jiu-Jitsu learning journey has no end. New techniques are created, different approaches emerge, and new styles become in evidence, so It is crucial to have the opportunity to gain knowledge of the new and be able to connect the novel concepts with the Jiu Jitsu fundamentals.
Eduardo is currently a 4th degree black belt
Accomplishments:
2X New York Open Champion
1X Long Island Pride Champion
Nadire Khelifi (Instructor)
Originally from Paris, France, Nadire started his martial arts journey at a young age, initially with boxing, then Kickboxing and Muay Thai. In the 1990s, Nadire started his Jiu-Jitsu journey in France and deepened his study by traveling and living in Brazil while studying at Gracie Humaita. Through the years he had the opportunity to have learned from Royler and Renzo Gracie, Fabio Clemente, Lucas Lepri, Babs Olusanmokun, and Eduardo Capeluto.
Nadire earned his Black Belt in 2017 from Babs Olusanmokun and Fabio Clemente and currently is a 2nd-degree Black Belt under Eduardo Capeluto.
Accomplishments:
NY Open champion
Boston Open Champion
2nd place Long Island Pride
3rd place Worlds Master
Mackenzie Fingerhut (Coach)
As a New Jersey native, Mackenzie began learning martial arts at the age of six. She began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at the age of 13 and has continued her journey into New York. She has trained and competed under Marcelo Garcia where she earned several coveted titles. Mackenzie is currently a brown belt training under Eduardo Capeluto.
Accomplishments:
IBJJF Gi World Champion
IBJJF GI Pan American Champion
IBJJF No-Gi World Champion
IBJJF No-Gi Pan American Champion
Adrian Penalo (Coach)
Born and raised in New York, Coach Adrian started training Goju-ryu karate at the age of 6 and reached up to black belt. After many years of practice, Adrian got more and more engaged with American Football and aspired to continue the sport in college and even professionally. That is when Jiu Jitsu entered his life and a different journey started, studying BJJ and Judo. His upbringing in martial arts became more well rounded through the years, incorporating Muay Thai and Self Defense as other core principles of training. Coach Adrian competed and medaled in submission only tournaments both in the gi and nogi. He had the opportunity to learn under renowned instructors such as Renzo Gracie, Marcelo Garcia, Murillo Santana and more. He eventually joined Alliance Jiu-Jitsu, where he trained for many years and earned his brown belt.
Currently, Coach Adrian trains under Professor Eduardo Capeluto where he continues his BJJ journey and development.
Edmond Pepaj (Coach)
From an early age, Edmond expressed interest in martial arts. He quickly demonstrated passion for close combat sports and as part of his middle school wrestling team, he developed a strong sense of discipline which laid a solid foundation and led him to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Edmond has competed and medaled in several local and IBJJF tournaments.
As an instructor, Edmond is a patient and insightful coach, committed to helping students achieve their highest potential.
Edmond is currently a purple belt training under Eduardo Capeluto.
