Chokelab Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy

Chokelab Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy
Type	Privately Held
Industry	Martial Arts
Founded	2004
Founder	Josef Manuel
Headquarters	Harrison, New Jersey, USA
Area Served	Harrison, Kearny, Newark, East Newark, Hudson County, Northern New Jersey
Key People	Josef Manuel
Products	Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Uniforms (Gi), Rash Guards, Team Apparel, Belts, Training Equipment, Academy Merchandise, Digital Training Resources
Services	Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Classes, Kids Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Adult Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, No-Gi Grappling, Self-Defense Training, Women's Self-Defense, Competition Coaching, Private Lessons, Instructor Development, Law Enforcement Training, Military Combatives Instruction, Seminars, Affiliate Academy Support
Number of Employees	10–20
Website	https://chokelabacademy.com

Chokelab Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu academy and martial arts organization founded in 2004 by Professor Josef Manuel. Headquartered in Harrison, New Jersey, the academy provides Brazilian jiu-jitsu instruction, submission grappling, self-defense education, youth martial arts, and competition training for students of all ages and experience levels.^[1]

The academy serves as the headquarters of Team Chokelab, an association of affiliated academies and instructors that share a unified technical curriculum, coaching philosophy, and instructor development program. Chokelab combines traditional Brazilian jiu-jitsu principles with modern coaching methodologies, emphasizing technical precision, discipline, leadership, and lifelong learning.^[2]

The academy offers structured training programs for children, teenagers, adults, beginners, and advanced practitioners. Its curriculum includes Gi and No-Gi Brazilian jiu-jitsu, self-defense training, private lessons, competition coaching, instructor development, seminars, and specialized programs designed to support students pursuing recreational, fitness, or competitive goals. Training is structured to encourage progressive technical development while fostering confidence, discipline, respect, and lifelong learning.

Beyond recreational instruction, Chokelab has produced competitive athletes while providing defensive tactics and grappling instruction to law enforcement agencies, military personnel, and public safety professionals. These specialized programs focus on practical control techniques, situational awareness, defensive strategy, and the application of Brazilian jiu-jitsu principles in professional environments.^[3]

As the headquarters of Team Chokelab, the organization supports a growing network of affiliated academies through standardized curriculum development, coaching resources, instructor education, and technical collaboration. The affiliate program enables participating academies to maintain consistent instructional standards while benefiting from shared educational resources, mentorship, and professional development opportunities.

In addition to its instructional programs, Chokelab offers Brazilian jiu-jitsu uniforms (Gi), rash guards, belts, training equipment, academy merchandise, and digital training resources that complement its curriculum. The organization also conducts seminars and educational events intended to support the continued development of students, instructors, and affiliated academies.

Through its emphasis on technical excellence, mentorship, and community engagement, the organization continues to expand its network of affiliated academies while promoting Brazilian jiu-jitsu as a tool for personal growth, confidence, resilience, leadership, and physical fitness. By combining traditional martial arts values with modern coaching methodologies, Chokelab Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy has established itself as a training center dedicated to developing practitioners of all ages and experience levels while supporting the continued growth of Brazilian jiu-jitsu through education, competition, and instructor development.^[4]

External links

References

[1] "Chokelab HQ - Transforming Lives Since 2004". https://chokelabacademy.com/chokelab-hq-transforming-lives-since-2004/.

[2] "Team Chokelab Affiliation". https://smoothcomp.com/en/affiliation/589.

[3] "Chokelab Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy Club Profile". https://smoothcomp.com/en/club/44608.

[4] "Chokelab Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy". https://www.bbb.org/us/nj/harrison/profile/martial-arts/chokelab-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-academy-0221-90207986.

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