Octavio “Ratinho” Couto.
Build strength, confidence, and discipline in a BJJ academy that brings together method, atmosphere, and results. Classes for adults and kids, from complete beginners to competitive athletes.
Build strength, confidence, and discipline in a BJJ academy that brings together method, atmosphere, and results. Classes for adults and kids, from complete beginners to competitive athletes.
Our head coach is an IBJJF Black Belt with international experience, supported by a staff of brown and purple belts who closely follow every training group.
A structured technical curriculum organized by levels, with focused drilling and controlled sparring to build solid fundamentals and confidence on the mats.
A culture of mutual support: more experienced students help those who are just starting out. No one is ever left behind.
Programs designed for different age groups and goals.
From your first gi to your first competition, we guide you step by step.
Complete classes including sport-specific warm-ups, technical instruction, focused drilling, and sparring. Ideal for anyone who wants to learn Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in a serious yet accessible way.
Children are our future. At JJSV, our goal is to support parents in raising confident, ambitious young people who are aware of their abilities.
A balanced mix of play, discipline, and technique designed to develop coordination, self-confidence, and respect — all in a safe and controlled environment.
Specific training without the gi for those who practice MMA or want to improve control, transitions, and submissions in a no-gi environment.
Monday
9:30-11:00 All Levels Gi
17:00-18:00 Kids
18:00-19:00 Fondamentals
19:15-20:45 All Levels Gi
Tuesday
9:30-11:00 NoGi
18:00-19:00 White Belts
19:00-20:30 NoGi
Wednesday
6:00-7:00 All Levels Gi
17:00-18:00 Kids
18:00-19:00 Fondamentals
19:15-21:00 All Levels Gi
Thursday
9:30-11:00 All Levels Gi
18:00-19:00 White Belts
19:00-20:30 NoGi
Friday
17:00-18:00 Kids
18:00-19:00 Fondamentals
19:15-20:45 All Levels Gi
The people who guide you on the mats make all the difference. Here’s who stands behind the energy and growth of our academy.
Head Coach
Emiliano Manfren
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Instructor – 3rd Degree Black Belt
Emiliano Manfren was born in Venice and began his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey in 2007 in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, under the guidance of Marcus Vinicius and Octavio Couto.
Thanks to his consistency, dedication, and passion for the art, he was awarded his black belt in 2019 by Octavio Couto.
In 2010, Emiliano founded Jiu Jitsu Squad Venezia and has since served as the academy’s Head Coach, with extensive experience teaching Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and self-defense to both children and adults of all ages.
Master
Octavio “Ratinho” Couto
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Master – 6th Degree Black Belt
With over 30 years of experience, Octavio “Ratinho” Couto was a 6th Degree Black Belt and one of the most respected and influential Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu masters worldwide.
After competing with Alliance, he became one of the seven founding black belts of Team Brasa in 2002. He was also co-founder and head instructor of AKXE BJJ, the largest Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy in Rio de Janeiro.
Our team had the immense honor of being guided by an extraordinary Master — a mentor and a true human and athletic role model:
Mestre Octavio Couto, 6th Degree Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Internationally recognized as a Global BJJ Consultant, Octavio Couto contributed to the growth of countless teams and academies around the world, leaving a profound legacy built on knowledge, discipline, respect, and an authentic passion for Jiu-Jitsu.
To us, he was not only a great Master, but also a dear friend, a trusted guide, and a constant source of inspiration.
In honor and in loving memory of Octavio “Ratinho” Couto, whose smile, values, and teachings continue to live every day on the mats and within each of us.
His legacy will never be forgotten.
Coach
Daniel Merli
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Instructor – Black Belt
He shares nearly ten years of combat sports experience with his teammates and the new generation of JJSV athletes.
His journey began with MMA in 2011 in Riccione, under the guidance of Federico Mini, former Venator Featherweight Champion. In 2016, he transitioned to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, where he found his true path.
After moving to Mestre and meeting his coach Emiliano Manfren, Daniel began competing in the middleweight division, where he consistently showcases a dynamic and distinctive Jiu-Jitsu style.
The people who guide you on the mats make all the difference. Here’s who stands behind the energy of our academy.
Jiu Jitsu Squad Venezia is the pioneer Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu team in the province of Venice and one of the longest-standing teams in the entire Veneto region.
Founded in 2010 under the guidance of Emiliano Manfren, who was a purple belt at the time, we evolved from a small group of passionate fighters and martial artists into the leading representation of the “gentle art” in the area — a true point of reference for many practitioners, capable of competing and standing out at the national level.
From the very beginning, our Jiu-Jitsu has been about freedom of expression and personal well-being: a tool for self-discovery and connection with others. It is the moment of lightness we carve out for ourselves when we step onto the mats, take off our sandals, and leave everyday worries behind.
It is where we express ourselves at our best — fully present, focused, and relaxed.
Our Jiu-Jitsu, shaped by the guidance of Master Octavio Couto, is rooted in natural physical principles, body awareness, and the precise execution of technique.
For this reason, every member of Jiu Jitsu Squad Venezia represents a unique facet of the same style — having absorbed the core concepts, made them their own, and expressed them in a personal way.
To us, Jiu-Jitsu is a way of approaching life itself. We cultivate respect, tolerance, and awareness of our own abilities; we learn to face adversity by training the mind to remain calm, seek solutions, and resist panic.
We come to understand the vast, often hidden potential of the human body. We experience the satisfaction of success earned through time and effort, and we learn to accept setbacks productively — using them as opportunities for growth.
No hidden memberships, no unreasonable commitments. Just a clear and simple way to step into the world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with confidence.
Contact us via WhatsApp or email, letting us know your age, any previous experience, and the days you’d like to train.
We’ll suggest the best day and time based on your level. The trial class is obligation-free, so you can see if BJJ is right for you.
Arrive 10 minutes early, wearing a gi if you already have one, or long-sleeve sportswear. We’ll take care of everything once you’re here.
JJSV partners with Officina della Forza, a professional training studio offering a comprehensive approach to physical preparation: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, sport-specific strength and conditioning, nutritional and postural consultations, kettlebell training, suspension training, Pilates, Spartan Race preparation, and Cross Training.
By sharing so much together, we are living proof that the mats can teach friendship — and make our lives a little better.