Juarez Soares

Juarez Soares was born on April 19, 1962, in the state of Guanabara — a Brazilian state that existed from 1960 to 1975 before being merged into the state of Rio de Janeiro. As a child, Soares was described as introverted and prone to aggressive outbursts, a behavioral pattern that led his doctor to recommend martial arts as a constructive outlet for his temperament.

Acting on that advice, Soares' parents enrolled him in jiu-jitsu classes at age 11 at the Monir Academy, under the instruction of the legendary Monir Salomao. The academy proved to be a formative environment, also shaping other notable figures in the sport, including Marcos Barreto and Julio Cesar. Under Salomao's guidance, Soares earned his yellow, orange, and blue belts. The bond forged between student and teacher left a permanent mark on Soares, who regarded Monir Salomao as his true Master throughout the entirety of his jiu-jitsu career.

When Soares' family relocated to Araruama — a small coastal municipality in the state of Rio de Janeiro — he faced the practical challenge of continuing his training far from Monir Salomao. He resolved this by joining the academy of Marcos Siqueira, who would go on to award Soares his purple, brown, and black belts.

The progression unfolded under unusual circumstances. Not long after Soares began training there, Siqueira relocated to São Paulo. Rather than allow the distance to hinder his development, Soares stepped into the role of instructor at Siqueira's academy, effectively leading the team in his coach's absence. He pursued multiple publicly funded coaching courses covering training philosophy and methodology, building a rigorous intellectual foundation for his work on the mats. On November 17, 1997, Marcos Siqueira formally promoted Soares to black belt — a milestone that recognized not only his technical growth but also the years of independent leadership he had demonstrated.

Shortly after receiving his black belt, on February 8, 1998, Juarez Soares opened the Araruama Jiu-Jitsu Academy — a decision that marked the beginning of his most enduring contribution to the sport. From the outset, Soares chose to step away from personal competition entirely, channeling all of his energy into the development of his students.

The academy grew at a remarkable pace, eventually expanding into multiple satellite locations throughout the surrounding region. To manage this growth and sharpen the team's competitive edge, Soares took a deliberate organizational step in 2005: he established a dedicated competition team separate from the broader Araruama Jiu-Jitsu program. That team became DDR Jiu-Jitsu, with DDR standing for Dedicação, Disciplina, Respeito — Dedication, Discipline, and Respect. Beginning official competition in 2006, DDR went on to earn a reputation as one of the most respected grappling squads in the state of Rio de Janeiro.

Among the notable competitors developed through the Araruama Jiu-Jitsu Academy are José Junior and Marcos Tinoco, both of whom reflect the depth of instruction Soares cultivated over the years.

Beyond his roles as coach and academy founder, Juarez Soares built a parallel career as a respected jiu-jitsu referee. He has officiated at events sanctioned by major governing bodies, including the FJJ-Rio (Federação de Jiu-Jitsu do Rio de Janeiro), the CBJJ (Confederação Brasileira de Jiu-Jitsu), and the IBJJF (International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation). His work as a referee reflects a commitment to the institutional integrity and broader development of jiu-jitsu that extends well beyond his own academy, positioning him as a figure who contributes to the sport across multiple levels simultaneously.