The Minnesota River Bluffs new home for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
River city Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is owned and operated by Alliance Jiu Jitsu black belt, and Winona native, Erik Miner. Erik moved from Winona to the twin cities to study Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2005. Over these years, Erik competed all over the country and medaled in numerous regional, international and world tournaments. He has been fortunate enough to have spent time training with dozens of world champions, Olympic level grapplers and NCAA national champions. Erik and his family moved to Winona in 2021 to raise their family and open a gym to share the Jiu Jitsu lifestyle with the community he grew up in.
I am very excited to be back in Winona after all of these years. I grew up loving the outdoors, but taking for granted the natural beauty and rich life that is at our fingertips here. Each time I would return to Winona, it would set in a little more of how great of an area this really is. The Alliance Jiu Jitsu gym that I have been fortunate to be a part of has wholeheartedly revolutionized every aspect of my life. My goal is to share that culture and lifestyle with the people in the Winona area in an extremely friendly and welcoming environment. If you have ever considered jiu jitsu, please contact us!
Class Schedule
Elected Teacher of the Year by Alliance SP in 2017, Edson Oliveira not only excels in teaching but also shines in the competitive scene. Edson holds the title of world champion in the blue belt category, marking the early milestones of his remarkable career. However, the pinnacle of his achievements was reached in 2016 when he became the Brazilian no-gi champion in the black belt category.
Currently, Edson plays a crucial role in expanding Alliance Jiu Jitsu worldwide, serving as the head coach at Alliance Vancouver. His dedication and expertise make him a significant figure in celebrating the 30 years of Alliance, being the honoree of the week.
#alliancebjjrivercity #winonabjj #winona #alliancebjj #bjj #champions #winonamn
#selfdefense #strong #blackbelt
#winonamn #discipline #selfdefense #mnbjj #grappling #kidsbjj #blackbelt #strong #brazilianjiujitsu #wsu #smumn #jiujitsu #ibjjf
Thank you @bmalfacine for making the day so special for us and sharing your techniques and philosophy! Thank you @alliancempls & @alliancebjjst.croix for supporting us here as well!
#alliancebjjrivercity #winonabjj #winona #alliancebjj #bjj #champions #winonamn
#selfdefense #strong #blackbelt
#winonamn #discipline #selfdefense #mnbjj #grappling #kidsbjj #blackbelt #strong #brazilianjiujitsu #wsu #smumn #jiujitsu #ibjjf
Hey everybody, it’s the last day to signup for a seminar with 10x world champion Bruno Malfacine! The seminar is on 12/2 @ 11am - the cost is $100. DM me to register!!!
#alliancebjjrivercity #winonabjj #winona #alliancebjj #bjj #champions #winonamn
#selfdefense #strong #blackbelt
#winonamn #discipline #selfdefense #mnbjj #grappling #kidsbjj #blackbelt #strong #brazilianjiujitsu #wsu #smumn #jiujitsu #ibjjf
Dani Genovesi, the renowned world champion in Jiu-Jitsu, stands out as a trailblazer on the mats, in addition to securing titles as a bodyboard champion and ultramarathon runner. Her remarkable journey deserves a prominent place in the history of our team, as she became the first woman to claim the world Jiu-Jitsu title under the banner of Alliance Jiu-Jitsu. It is worth noting that this extraordinary achievement occurred shortly after she became a mother, adding an even more special and inspiring dimension to this noteworthy victory. For this reason, Dani Genovesi is the honoree of the week in the commemorative post for the 30 years of Alliance Jiu-Jitsu.
#alliancebjjrivercity #winonabjj #winona #alliancebjj #bjj #champions #winonamn
#selfdefense #strong #blackbelt
#winonamn #discipline #selfdefense #mnbjj #grappling #kidsbjj #blackbelt #strong #brazilianjiujitsu #wsu #smumn #jiujitsu #ibjjf
Happy Thanksgiving from Alliance River City!
A reminder if you haven’t signed up yet! Send me a message to get on the list!
That’s right, we will have Bruno Malfacine here in Winona on Saturday 12/2! Don’t miss this opportunity to train with a 10x world champion! Contact me to reserve your spot!
#alliancebjjrivercity #winonabjj #winona #alliancebjj #bjj #champions #winonamn
#selfdefense #strong #blackbelt
#winonamn #discipline #selfdefense #mnbjj #grappling #kidsbjj #blackbelt #strong #brazilianjiujitsu #wsu #smumn #jiujitsu #ibjjf
Renata Marinho is one of the standout figures in the female team of Alliance Jiu Jitsu. Her journey is marked not only by an impressive collection of titles in Jiu Jitsu but also by recognition as one of the most charismatic athletes in the team's history. Currently serving as a professor at Alliance London, Renata achieved glory in the World Master category in 2021 with an impeccable campaign. For this reason, we honor her as the athlete of the week in the post celebrating the 30 years of Alliance Jiu Jitsu.
#alliancebjjrivercity #winonabjj #winona #alliancebjj #bjj #champions #winonamn
#selfdefense #strong #blackbelt
#winonamn #discipline #selfdefense #mnbjj #grappling #kidsbjj #blackbelt #strong #brazilianjiujitsu #wsu #smumn #jiujitsu #ibjjf
Here is the Halloween schedule:
9:30am class as usual
5:15 kids class - no class
6:15pm open mat
7:15pm no class
Some pictures from last nights class, great job kiddos!
#alliancebjjrivercity #winonabjj #winona #alliancebjj #bjj #champions #winonamn
#selfdefense #strong #winonamn #discipline #selfdefense #mnbjj #grappling #kidsbjj #blackbelt #strong #brazilianjiujitsu #wsu #smumn #jiujitsu #ibjjf #blackbelt
Happy birthday Jacare, thank you for being a great leader and for your contribution to make this team what is is!
#alliancebjjrivercity #winonabjj #winona #alliancebjj #bjj#champions #winonamn
#selfdefense #strong #winonamn #discipline #selfdefense #mnbjj #grappling #kidsbjj #blackbelt #strong #brazilianjiujitsu #wsu #smumn #jiujitsu #ibjjf #blackbelt
Achieving a world title in colored belts is notably challenging, but reaching the status of a world champion in the black belt category is a challenge of even greater magnitude. Vinicius Trator, an exceptional athlete from Alliance Jiu-Jitsu, not only reached the pinnacle of the global No-Gi scene in the purple and brown belt divisions, where he secured back-to-back championships, but also in the black belt No-Gi World Championship. His accomplishment reached its zenith when, in the black belt category, he skillfully overcame the formidable opponent Elliot Kelly at the No-Gi World Championship, securing his rightful place of honor in the history of Alliance Jiu-Jitsu.
#alliancebjjrivercity #winonabjj #winona #alliancebjj #bjj#champions #winonamn
#selfdefense #strong #winonamn #discipline #selfdefense #mnbjj #grappling #kidsbjj #blackbelt #strong #brazilianjiujitsu #wsu #smumn #jiujitsu #ibjjf #blackbelt
🇺🇸 Henrique Rezende, the current Head Coach of Alliance London with experience in New York and Abu Dhabi, is not only an exceptional coach but also a remarkable Jiu Jitsu competitor. His extensive list of accomplishments includes winning the Pan-American No-Gi Championship twice. A standout moment in his career is the 2012 No-Gi World Championship, where he became the champion with an incredible victory in the final against the talented athlete Rafael Freitas. With this achievement, Henrique Rezende secured his place in the exclusive group of world champions at Alliance Jiu Jitsu.
#alliancebjjrivercity #winonabjj #winona #alliancebjj #bjj#champions #winonamn
#selfdefense #strong #winonamn #discipline #selfdefense #mnbjj #grappling #kidsbjj #blackbelt #strong #brazilianjiujitsu #wsu #smumn #jiujitsu #ibjjf #blackbelt
Six facts about Rolls☝️☝️☝️🤙
#alliancebjjrivercity #winonabjj #winona #alliancebjj #bjj#champions #winonamn
#selfdefense #strong #winonamn #discipline #selfdefense #mnbjj #grappling #kidsbjj #blackbelt #strong #brazilianjiujitsu #wsu #smumn #jiujitsu #ibjjf #blackbelt
🇺🇸Imagine winning two world titles in the same year. Mel Cueto, a standout athlete in Alliance Jiu-Jitsu, showcased her exceptional skill by achieving this impressive feat in 2021, becoming a champion in both the Adult World Championship and the Master World Championship of IBJJF. In the Adult World Championship, Mel triumphed in the final by submitting the excellent athlete Isadora Cristina, solidifying her name indisputably in the Alliance Jiu-Jitsu champions’ gallery. Furthermore, she secured her spot in the “legendary battles” in celebration of Alliance Jiu-Jitsu’s 30th anniversary.
#alliancebjjrivercity #winonabjj #winona #alliancebjj #bjj#champions #winonamn
#selfdefense #strong #winonamn #discipline #selfdefense #mnbjj #grappling #kidsbjj #blackbelt #strong #brazilianjiujitsu #wsu #smumn #jiujitsu #ibjjf #blackbelt
🇺🇸Being the son of a legend like Rubens Charles “Cobrinha” adds extra responsibility when facing competitions, but Kennedy Maciel doesn’t seem to have been intimidated. With a solid career in Jiu Jitsu, he claimed the gold at the 2018 Nogi World Championship after engaging in intense battles, ultimately securing a 2-0 victory over Gilson Nunes in the final.
Kennedy unquestionably deserves a prominent place among the most renowned athletes in the history of Alliance Jiu Jitsu.
Instructors
It’s hard to talk about our Judo and BJJ instructors without sounding like we’re bragging. The plain fact of the matter is that we have one of the best teams of martial arts instructors you will find anywhere. Led by Erik Miner, our instructors are talented, accomplished, passionate and the kind of people you just enjoy hanging out with, because after all, although we take what we do very seriously, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is supposed to be fun.
Erik Miner
Head Coach
Alliance BJJ Black Belt
Erik has competed all over the country and medaled in numerous regional, international and world tournaments. He has been fortunate enough to have spent time training with dozens of world champions, Olympic level grapplers and NCAA national champions. Erik and his family moved to Winona in 2021 to raise their family and open a gym to share the Jiu Jitsu lifestyle with the community he grew up in.
J.R. Westberg
Assistant Coach
Alliance BJJ Brown Belt
J.R. is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt under Damian Hirtz from Alliance Minnesota. He started jiu-jitsu in early 2009 as a temporary means to stay in shape during the cold Minnesota winter, but fell in love with the sport and never stopped. J.R. has competed in multiple tournaments as a blue and purple belt and enjoys the coaching and strategy of jiu-jitsu tournaments. When off the mats, he works as the research director for orthopaedic surgery at Hennepin County Medical Center, and is also pursuing a master’s degree in public health at John University in Baltimore, MD.
Corey Hentig
Assistant Coach
Alliance BJJ Brown Belt
Corey is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Brown Belt who has had a life-long passion for grappling. Corey started out as a High School Wrestler and Coach, in 2013 he began training in BJJ to get back into a healthy hobby and reconnect with grappling when a “normal” workout just wasn’t enough. Corey enjoys competing occasionally to test his progress, but his real passion is just enjoying all the friendships and experience gained through training. Corey’s continued goal is to improve his Jiu Jitsu and gain more experience instructing.