About Us

Owner & Head Instructor

Michael Trasso

2nd Degree Black Belt

 

Michael’s journey on the mats began in 1995, training Jiu Jitsu at just five years old. Throughout the next decade, he picked up wrestling and would become one of the world’s most accomplished adolescent Jiu Jitsu competitors. In 2008, Michael was recruited to wrestle for Rhode Island College. In 2011, he was nationally ranked #9 and one year later, attained his 100th collegiate victory. In 2016, Michael began teaching and training in San Diego where he received some of his most notable awards in adult Jiu Jitsu competition while training part-time. Michael is a 2x IBJJF World Championship bronze medalist and a 3x IBJJF Pan American Championship medalist.In 2020, he moved back to New Jersey, started The Merge, and opened his own Jiu Jitsu & Wrestling academy.

2x IBJJF World Championship Bronze Medalist

• 2017 Adult Brown Belt Middle-Heavyweight (Gi)
• 2017 Adult Brown Belt Middle-Heavyweight (No Gi)

3x IBJJF No Gi Pan American Championship Medalist

• 2017 Adult Brown Belt Middle-Heavyweight – Gold Medal
• 2018 Adult Black Belt Middleweight – Silver Medal
• 2021 Adult Black Belt Middleweight – Bronze Medal

Other Awards & Achievements:

• 2018 & 2019 World Ranked Top 20 No Gi Adult Black Belt Middleweights – FloGrappling
• 2021 IBJJF No Gi New Orleans International Open – Silver Medal (Adult Black Belt)
• 2020 Fight 2 Win 136 No Gi Superfight Winner – 180 lbs. (Adult Black Belt)
• 2019 IBJJF No Gi San Jose International Open – Gold Medal (Adult Black Belt)
• 2018 IBJJF No Gi Las Vegas International Open – Silver Medal (Adult Black Belt)
• 2012 12th Wrestler in Rhode Island College history to earn 100+ wins
• 2006 ADCC North American Trials – Gold Medal (Teens Division)
• 500+ matches in career competition

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Assistant Coach

James Boujakli

Black Belt

Awards & Achievements:

• Adult Purple Belt Abu Dhabi Trials Silver Medalist (Gi)
• Adult Blue Belt IBJJF Pan American Silver Medalist (Gi)
• Multiple time IBJJF and NAGA Gold Medalist
• Multiple time Grappling Industries Gold Medalist
• 100+ High School Wrestling Wins (NJ)
• High School Wrestling Record Holder for Most Wins
• Vince Lombardi Scholarship Winner

Assistant Coach

Jacki Bouillin

Purple Belt

Jacki is a purple belt in Jiu Jitsu and has been training for 5 years. Originally from New York, her grappling journey started out in California. Jacki has medaled at various Jiu Jitsu tournaments such as Grappling Industries, JJWL, and FUJI BJJ. She also assists with our 5-week Intro to Jiu Jitsu program as well as our Kids Jiu Jitsu program. Off the mats, Jacki is an Occupational Therapist specializing in neurological rehabilitation and comes from a personal training background!

Assistant Coach

Ryan Romeo

Ryan assists our head coaches with the kids Wrestling for Jiu Jitsu program. As a varsity high school wrestler, he had 72 wins and was a district and county medalist. Ryan is currently pursuing a career in law enforcement!

Assistant Coach

Matt Williams

Purple Belt

Matt is a purple belt in Jiu Jitsu and military veteran. Matt helps assistant coach our kids Jiu Jitsu programs and also volunteers as an assistant coach for rec wrestling. In the past he competed in a variety of combat sports such as amateur MMA, Jiu Jitsu, and Boxing.

Assistant Coach

Shane Kelley

Blue Belt

Coach Shane started his Jiu Jitsu journey at TJJW in 2022 and is currently a blue belt. He enjoys the camaraderie and self-confidence that comes with training Jiu Jitsu. Shane enjoys assisting kids’ classes as well as our adults 5-week intro to Jiu Jitsu program. On the mats, Coach Shane’s favorite move is the Omoplata!

Head Coach, Mighty Pebbles Program

 Sophia Meehan

Sophia started her grappling journey at TJJW in 2022. She is a main chaperone and coach at Trasso’s Annual Kids Summer Camp and she is currently a Junior Coach for our Rolling Stones (ages 6-9) and Iron Boulders (ages 10-14) kids programs. She is an active competitor in circuits such as ADCC, IBJJF, JJWL, and NAGA. Off the mats she also has extensive experience in toddler care!