Josef Manuel
| Josef Manuel | |
|---|---|
 Josef "Ze Cobra" Manuel.png | |
| Born | Josef Manuel 1974-11-12 Newark, NJ |
| 🏡 Residence | Harrison, New Jersey, United States |
| 🏳️ Nationality | American |
| 🏳️ Citizenship | United States |
| 🏫 Education | Trained in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Mario Marcio Lemos, David Adiv, and Robson Moura |
| 💼 Occupation | Martial Arts Educator |
| 🏢 Organization | Ze Cobra Academy |
| 🌐 Website | https://zecobrabjj.com/ |
| zecobra_bjj | |
| ZeCobraBJJ | |
| zecobra_bjj | |
Josef Manuel (born November 12, 1974) is an American Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) instructor, competitor, and martial arts educator. He is the head instructor of Team Chokelab in Harrison, New Jersey, and is recognized as a black belt under six-time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Champion Robson "Robinho" Moura.[1][2][3] Manuel has competed in national and international Brazilian jiu-jitsu tournaments, earning medals at events organized by the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF).[4] He is also known for teaching a technical approach to Brazilian jiu-jitsu referred to as "Small Man Jiu-Jitsu," which emphasizes leverage, timing, and efficiency rather than physical strength.[5][6]
Early life and education
Josef Manuel was born on November 12, 1974, in Newark, New Jersey, United States.[7][8] He attended high school in Harrison, New Jersey, where he graduated before pursuing martial arts training.[9]
Brazilian jiu-jitsu career
Manuel has trained in Brazilian jiu-jitsu for more than two decades and received his black belt in 2010 from Robson "Robinho" Moura, a multiple-time world champion and founder of the Nova União-affiliated Robson Moura Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Association.[10][11][12]
Throughout his competitive career, Manuel has participated in numerous IBJJF tournaments, including the World Championship, Pan Jiu-Jitsu Championship, and European Championship, where he has earned medals in various divisions.[13]
His teaching philosophy centers on technical precision, efficiency, and leverage. This approach has become known within his academy as "Small Man Jiu-Jitsu," emphasizing that effective technique can overcome differences in size and strength.[14][15]
Coaching
Manuel is the founder and head instructor of Team Chokelab, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu academy based in Harrison, New Jersey.[16][17] Through the academy, he teaches students ranging from beginners to competitive athletes.[18]
His instruction emphasizes discipline, personal development, and practical self-defense alongside sport jiu-jitsu. According to Manuel, his objective is not only to develop successful competitors but also to help students improve themselves through martial arts.[19][20]
Tactical training
In addition to civilian martial arts instruction, Manuel has served as a tactical trainer for law enforcement personnel. He is a Level 1 and Level 2 U.S. Army Certified Instructor and has provided defensive tactics and Brazilian jiu-jitsu instruction for federal and state law enforcement agencies.[21][22]
Philosophy
Manuel has stated that Brazilian jiu-jitsu should serve as a tool for lifelong learning and personal growth. His coaching philosophy emphasizes discipline, confidence, humility, and continuous improvement.[23][24]
Personal life
Josef Manuel is an American and resides in New Jersey.[25][26]
External links
References
- ↑ https://www.bjjheroes.com/bjj-fighters/josef-manuel
- ↑ https://digitsu.com/people/josef-manuel
- ↑ https://zecobrabjj.com/my-history/
- ↑ https://www.bjjheroes.com/bjj-fighters/josef-manuel
- ↑ https://zecobrabjj.com/
- ↑ https://jjgf.com/academy/cutting-edge-brazilian-jiu-jitsu
- ↑ https://www.bjjheroes.com/bjj-fighters/josef-manuel
- ↑ https://digitsu.com/people/josef-manuel
- ↑ https://zecobrabjj.com/my-history/
- ↑ https://www.bjjheroes.com/bjj-fighters/josef-manuel
- ↑ https://digitsu.com/people/josef-manuel
- ↑ https://zecobrabjj.com/my-history/
- ↑ https://www.bjjheroes.com/bjj-fighters/josef-manuel
- ↑ https://zecobrabjj.com/
- ↑ https://jjgf.com/academy/cutting-edge-brazilian-jiu-jitsu
- ↑ https://zecobrabjj.com/
- ↑ https://www.hillsboroughbjj.com/instructors/
- ↑ https://zecobrabjj.com/
- ↑ https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/1ea0bafe-a785-47ed-96af-f8c2c0b6ba96/episodes/8f9088f3-cb13-4f5d-8d47-84490248a799/destination-talk-destination-talk-ep-15-4th-degree-bjj-blackbelt-josef-ze-cobra-manuel
- ↑ https://zecobrabjj.com/
- ↑ https://www.army.mil/article/17264/ncos_lead_the_cobra_gold_way
- ↑ https://jjgf.com/academy/cutting-edge-brazilian-jiu-jitsu
- ↑ https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/1ea0bafe-a785-47ed-96af-f8c2c0b6ba96/episodes/8f9088f3-cb13-4f5d-8d47-84490248a799/destination-talk-destination-talk-ep-15-4th-degree-bjj-blackbelt-josef-ze-cobra-manuel
- ↑ https://zecobrabjj.com/
- ↑ https://www.bjjheroes.com/bjj-fighters/josef-manuel
- ↑ https://zecobrabjj.com/
