Sensei and Coach Mario Carranza
Judo Sensei and Kids Jiu Jitsu Coach
We are proud to announce our new Judo Kids Sensei, Mario Carranza known as Beto all the way from Costa Rica with a Black Belt in Judo under the Costa Rican Judo Federation & Panamerican Judo Confederation. He is descended from Sensei Alfonso Solano and Sensei Ivan Mata. Sensei Mario is well trained and certified in a wide variety of martial arts with Judo being his specialty. He holds a bachelor’s degree in physical education teaching – Universidad Florencio del Castillo and a Technical Degree in Sports Training – Universidad Nacional & Costa Rican Olympic Committee.
Sensei Mario is certified in IHP Functional Training, Principles of Functional Training and Judo Rehabilitation by the Costa Rican Judo Federation, Judo Coaching Course – International Olympic Committee, and Sports Development & Projection – Panamerican Judo Confederation & Costa Rican Judo.
Sensei Mario’s Judo Accolades include Puriscal Judo Tournament – Bronze Medal (2008), National Sports Games – Caribe – Silver (Individual), Bronze (Team), 2009, National Sports Games – Alajuela – Gold (Team), 2010, National Sports Games – Mora – Bronze (Individual & Team), 2011, National Sports Games – Desamparados – Silver (Individual), Gold (Team), 2012, National Judo Team Representation – El Salvador (2011), Panama (2014), VIII Japan Cup – Bronze Medal (2015) Coach Mario currently holds a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Brown belt under Checkmat Professor Jackson Matos descendant of Checkmat HQ Professor Léo Vieira. He is one of our esteemed Kids Coach here at Virtus Jiu-jitsu!
His BJJ accolades include Big Dragons Cup BJJ – Gold Medal (2014), GT Open Guatemala – Gold Medal (2017), Pride BJJ (USA) – Gold Medal (2019), Grappling Industries (USA) – 3rd Place Gi (2019), Liga BJJ – Gold Medal (2020), Lutador 5 Super Fight – Winner (2020), IBJJF New Orleans Summer Open 2023 – 1st Place (Gi, No-Gi, Open Class), IBJJF Nashville Fall Open 2023 – 2nd Place, IBJJF New Orleans Winter Open 2025 – 1st Place, 2nd Place (Open Class), and IBJJF Atlanta Spring Open 2025 – 2nd Place.