André Lima

Grandmaster Lima is the founder of Lima Academy. He's officially certified by the World Tae Kwon do Federation (WTF) as an 8th Degree Black Belt and one of few worldwide to obtain the internationally recognized diploma of the Kukkiwon. He began studying Taekwondo in his hometown of Brasilia, Brazil, over 40 years ago when his father signed him up for lessons as a present for his birthday. A young Andre began studying and competing under the guidance of Masters Soo Myung Choi and Carlos Eduardo Loddo who became his mentor. At 17, his family moved to Fortaleza, in the north of Brazil. Because there were no Taekwondo schools, he decided to start the first Lima Taekwondo Academy in the 80s. Today he is recognized by the Brazilian Federation as a pioneer of this art in the north of the country. Now, there are several Taekwondo schools in and around Fortaleza and some of those schools are owned by his former students, including former Brazilian national champions. During his time in Fortaleza, he attended medical school for a year before deciding that he'd rather focus on a career as a martial artist. At 22 he left Brazil, moved to Europe and started to fight in the International Tournament circuit. He competed all over Europe winning numerous medals and expanding his knowledge. During those years he began to be featured in a variety of internationally renowned Martial Arts magazines in Europe. In most of his two years stay in Europe he lived in France, where he worked for French Grandmaster Edouard Branco, teaching Taekwondo in his two schools in Paris. Grandmaster Andre Lima is also a former competitor in other martial arts, holding a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a style that he began training in Brazil under Grandmaster Francisco Sa in 1986 and got his black belt from Master Rigan Machado in Los Angeles. Grandmaster Lima as well holds a black belt in Japanese Shotokan Karate. Although, he officially retired from formal competition in 1993. Grandmaster Lima competed few times pitting his skill and experience against players in the younger division. In the early 90s, he participated in a few Point Fight Karate tournaments in New York City and in 2001 Grandmaster Lima took 2nd place at the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Pan-American Championships in Florida. In the course of the past three decades Grandmaster Lima has put his knowledge and skills to good use as a fight choreographer and actor in Hollywood movies as well as a writer of best-selling Martial Arts books. He was featured on the cover of the top Fighting magazines in the US, Europe, South America and Australia; made TV appearances, competed, taught and studied Martial Arts in 30 countries, including Korea, the birthplace of Taekwondo. His vast work is internationally recognized by the Martial Arts community.