Who We Are
Our Story
Welcome to Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Shakopee, MN — the only certified Royce Gracie affiliated gym in the state of Minnesota. Our story began in 2020, when founders John King and Winona Wabasha started sharing their passion for jiu-jitsu and self-defense with friends and family from their home.
Inspired by overwhelming community support, they opened a public training facility in Shakopee in 2021. Since then, RGJJ Academy has grown into a thriving martial arts and fitness community serving students from Shakopee, Prior Lake, Savage, Burnsville, Jordan, Belle Plaine, and communities throughout Scott County and the south metro.
John King is Minnesota's first Royce Gracie Black Belt and has maintained a close personal friendship with Royce Gracie for over a decade. This direct connection to the Gracie family ensures our students receive the most authentic Gracie Jiu-Jitsu instruction available anywhere in the upper Midwest.
Our Mission
Our mission is to empower individuals of all ages through practical self-defense training, physical fitness, and character development. We teach the complete RGJJ 360 curriculum — a proven system developed by Royce Gracie that equips students with real-world self-defense skills. We integrate the 753 Code of Warrior principles and Gracie Diet teachings into our training, promoting a holistic approach to martial arts, fitness, and overall wellness.
Our Facility in Shakopee
Located at 1038 1st Avenue E in Shakopee, Minnesota, our academy features a welcoming lobby, spacious changing rooms with multiple bathrooms, and an expansive professional mat area designed for dynamic classes and training sessions. Whether you're attending your first trial class or preparing for advanced competition, our facility is equipped to support your training journey.
We're conveniently located just minutes from Highway 169 and easily accessible from Prior Lake, Savage, Burnsville, Jordan, and the surrounding south metro communities.
What Makes RGJJ Academy Different
- Only Certified Royce Gracie Academy in Minnesota — Direct lineage and personal connection to the Gracie family
- Programs for Every Age — Kids as young as 5 through adults of all experience levels
- More Than Martial Arts — Kickboxing, personal training, UFit group fitness, Fight Fit conditioning, and family fitness classes
- Character Development — 753 Code of the Warrior builds discipline, respect, and integrity on and off the mats
- Community First — A welcoming, supportive environment where lasting friendships are built
- Certified Coaches — NASM certified personal trainers and RGJJ certified jiu-jitsu instructors