Shortly after receiving his Black Belt in 2001, Jean Kleber crossed the Atlantic with a clear purpose: to establish the first Kimura Academy outside of Brazil. He chose Portugal as the base for this European expansion, dedicating the better part of that year to building the academy's operational foundations and promoting Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in a country where the sport was still taking root. His efforts laid solid groundwork for Kimura's presence on European soil.
After setting the Portuguese academy on stable footing, Kleber returned to Fortaleza, Brazil, for personal reasons — though his time back in the country proved brief. An invitation to open a Kimura franchise in Boston, USA arrived, and he seized the opportunity, relocating to Massachusetts to begin the next chapter of his career.
Expanding the Kimura Brand
The Boston academy grew with impressive speed, expanding its student base and competitive standing in equal measure. Within a few years, it had established itself as one of the premier training institutions in Massachusetts, and Kleber earned wide recognition as one of the finest BJJ instructors in the region. He stands as one of the standout Black Belts to emerge from the Kimura Nova Uniao camp in Natal, distinguished by having taught across three continents — Brazil, Europe, and North America.
In 2016, Kleber extended Kimura's reach once more by opening an academy in Florida, chosen deliberately for its strategic geographic position and community-building potential. Throughout this expansion, he maintained close ties with his Boston academies, ensuring continuity of standards and preserving the cohesion of the broader Kimura team.