Gene Smithson
Promoted to black belt in Gracie Jiu-Jitu by Master Luiz Palhares in 2019. He received the 1st degree in 2022.Gene received all color belt (blue, purple and brown) ranks from Master Palhares. Twenty-six (26) years in Federal law enforcement. Instructs adult, youth, self-defense/striking and law enforcement technique classes. Gene is also a coach and competitor with experience at local promotions, ADCC Nationals and IBJJF Open and World championships.
Tamara Smithson
Is a purple belt (4 stripes) in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu under Professor Gene Smithson. She instructs youth and adult jiu-jitsu classes as well as self-defense. Tamara is an active IBJJF competitor. At purple belt she took two silver medals (middle weight and open class) in the 2020 IBJJF Master World Championship and Silver (middle) and bronze (open) medals in the 2021 IBJJF Pans Championships. In 2021, Tamara finished out the year as the #1 ranked female, middle weight, Master 4 purple belt in the World. In 2022, Tamara took the bronze medal in the middle weight class at Pans.