All About Gisele Bündchen’s Jiu-Jitsu Instructor, Joaquim Valente

Meet Joaquim Valente.

Miami jiu-jitsu instructor Joaquim first made headlines in February 2022 when Gisele Bündchen shared a video of her session at his academy in Florida, paired with a caption thanking him and his brothers for being “great teachers.”

The model first started training in jiu-jitsu in December 2021 and within a year earned her Brazilian blue belt. “I’m a very intense person, so when I enjoy something, I’m committed,” said Gisele in an interview with Dust magazine.

Gisele and Joaquim sparked romance rumors in November 2022, when the couple visited Provincia de Puntarenas (a province located on the coast of Costa Rica), two weeks after her divorce from NFL star Tom Brady was finalized. They were joined by the supermodel’s two children – son Benjamin Rein (14) and daughter Vivian Lake (11) – and several other people.

In the following months, they were seen out together on several occasions. However, Gisele denied a love affair with Joaquim, telling vanity fair“I mean, at this point, unfortunately, since I’m divorced, I’m sure they’ll try to tie me to anything.”

Gisele Bündchen travels to Costa Rica with her children — and their Jiu-Jitsu instructors

Later, a romance blossomed between them, and in February 2024, a source confirmed to PEOPLE that Gisele and Joaquim had been in a relationship since June 2023.

Here’s everything you need to know about Joaquim and his relationship with the supermodel.

He is the co-founder of the self-defense academy in Miami

VALENTE BROTHERS jiujitsu/Instagram

A third generation practitioner of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Joaquim currently teaches martial arts at the Miami Academy alongside his brothers (and fellow co-founders) Pedro and Gui. The oldest of the siblings, Pedro, began teaching jiu-jitsu throughout Miami after moving from Rio de Janeiro in 1993.

Joaquim, the youngest of the brothers, was the last of his siblings to move to Miami. Upon his arrival, his teaching participation played a key role in the development of the Friars’ curriculum due to the knowledge he gained from the Grand Master while in Brazil.

The brothers offer courses to students of all genders and experience levels. “Jujutsu techniques are based on natural movements that anyone can easily perform. We currently teach several older students as well as students with disabilities,” according to the Valente Brothers website.

Gisele Bündchen travels to Costa Rica with her children — and their Jiu-Jitsu instructors

He learned jiu-jitsu before he could walk

VALENTE BROTHERS jiujitsu/Instagram

Much like his brothers, Joaquim was introduced to jiu-jitsu before he could walk and began teaching it at the age of two. He learned from Grandmaster Hélio Gracie, who is considered a legend in the practice and taught three generations over a period of 67 years.

He also trained in boxing and jūdō

VALENTE BROTHERS jiujitsu/Instagram

In addition to jiu-jitsu, Joaquim also trains boxing and jūdō. He and his brothers were introduced to striking and throwing techniques by experts from an early age, skills that were key to the holistic methods of jiu-jitsu training, as opposed to strategy taught specifically for tournaments.

He holds the title of jiu-jitsu professor

VALENTE BROTHERS jiujitsu/Instagram

Following in his family’s footsteps, Joaquim received his black belt and teaching diploma from Grandmaster Hélio Gracie in 2007. This honor is significant within practice because it signifies the professional level of technical and practical skills. The achievement was great for the family, as only 27 people have received this degree from the grandmaster in 75 years.

Tom Brady was ‘really trying to fix’ his marriage to Gisele Bündchen, but it was ‘too little, too late’

He met Gisele at the academy through her son

VALENTE BROTHERS jiujitsu/Instagram

After learning about the academy and the Valente brothers through a friend, Gisele sought out a martial arts school on her own — but credits her pre-teen son (whom she wanted to “point in the right direction”) for introducing her to Joaquim.

During the interview with Dust magazine, Gisele revealed that jiu-jitsu was not personally interesting to her at first. “At first I didn’t even consider it for myself,” she began. “But when I brought [her son] in first grade and started talking to Joaquim, I realized it was much more than self-defense.”

She mentioned that she was most interested in the philosophy behind jiu-jitsu. “I felt very aligned with what I believe in and what I’m looking for in my life, and how I have a path to develop and become the best version of myself.”

He and Gisele are dating

According to several sources, Joaquim and Gisele have been dating since June 2023.

“They are going slow,” an insider told PEOPLE. “They started off as great friends. She’s very private about it and wanted to keep it quiet until they met.”

A separate source added: “They come from similar backgrounds. They both left Brazil very young. Gisele is in a great space. Joaquim is perfect for her.”

He earned a degree in criminology

VALENTE BROTHERS jiujitsu/Instagram

Joaquim moved to Miami in 2007 to study criminology at Barry University where he earned a degree in criminology. His oldest brother, Pedro, holds a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Miami, while his other brother, Gui, holds a master’s degree in sports management from Barry University’s College of Human Performance and Leisure Sciences.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education