Calvin Tacey
Instructor
Calvin has competed in team and individual sports from childhood and into his collegiate career. In search of new competition, he began training Jiu-Jitsu in Hawaii when he stumbled into Mad Tiger Academy late in 2015 while on military assignment. Calvin fell in love with competitive Jiu-Jitsu and the intricacies of the sport that allowed less gifted athletes and hobbyists to control more aggressive and larger advesaries. Calvin began dedicating all his spare-time to training and his weekends to competition. Calvin separated himself as one of the better athletes on the island when he and his wife had decided to move back to the lower 48 states.
Calvin made the leap in the summer of 2017 to train full time with Tom DeBlass at OCBJJ while he pursued his Bachelor’s degree. In his time in New Jersey, Calvin really hit his stride in competiton and the training room while training alongside and competing against some of the best athletes in the sport, forming lifetime bonds. Calvin accumulated several titles and eventually earned his brown belt while training at OCBJJ. Upon obtaining his bachelor degree late in 2021, Calvin and his wife made the decision to move back to their home state.
In an effort to keep up the intensity of training and be closer to family, Calvin and Tia made a conscious decision to train alongside David Garmo and the Assembly family. Here Calvin would develop great relationships with his new family and training partners, earning his black belt at the commencement of the 2023 calendar year.
Main Competitive Achievements
ADCC Toronto Silver (weight) 2024
ADCC Ottawa Silver (weight) 2023
IBJJF Chicago Open Gold (weight) 2023
IBJJF European Championship Silver (weight) 2022
IBJJF American National Silver (weight & open class) 2022
IBJJF Atlanta Open Gold (weight) 2021
IBJJF No Gi Pan Championship Gold (weight) 2020
IBJJF American Nationals Gold (weight) 2020
IBJJF No Gi World Championship Bronze (weight & open class) 2019
IBJJF No Gi Pan Championship Silver (weight) 2019