Family-Friendly, Clean, Professional. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Wilmington, NC at Monkey Junction — for competitors and hobbyists alike. Get a 4-week trial and a Gi for $70.
From first-timers to competitors and kids — there's a class built for exactly where you are.
BJJ · Gi & No-Gi
Kids (Ages 4–16)
Ages 4 – 16
Our kids' Jiu Jitsu program helps young students build confidence, discipline, and self-defense skills in a fun, structured environment.
BJJ · Gi & No-Gi
Adults (Ages 16+)
Ages 16+ · All levels
Our adult Jiu Jitsu program welcomes students of all experience levels, from complete beginners to seasoned competitors — improve fitness, learn self-defense, or sharpen your technique for competition.
About
Why train at Paragon of Jiu Jitsu
Welcome to Paragon of Jiu Jitsu in Wilmington, North Carolina! We are a family-friendly academy that wants to provide the best experience possible for all our students, from competitors to hobbyists. Students are taught self-defense while they become more physically fit. At the same time, our brand of Jiu Jitsu focuses on helping students improve their mental health and self-confidence, as many of our students use our classes to manage the stress of the day.
Paragon of Jiu Jitsu was formed by three friends who share a passion for Jiu Jitsu and service to our community. Owners Jeff Sorbel, Robert Taylor, and Brett Kostern started as white belts together in 2012, trained for 13 years, earned their black belts, and formed a strong bond through Jiu Jitsu. That experience inspired them to open Paragon's doors in October 2023, hoping their students might gain the same camaraderie they did. With their namesake, "Paragon", meaning the best of, they strive to be the best Jiu Jitsu leaders possible for their students daily. We are proud to be an affiliate of Essential BJJ of White Plains, NY under world-renowned competitor and instructor Professor JT Torres.
A coach who invests in how you learn
At Paragon of Jiu Jitsu, our coaches are serious about being the best they can be — so they've
joined a community of forward-thinking coaches, led by Greg Souders, who train with the
constraints-led approach: a modern, games-based method grounded in
motor-learning science. You learn by solving real problems on the mat — and build skill faster.
Co-founder and lead instructor. Brett discovered grappling on his high school wrestling team and went on to wrestle Division I for Gardner-Webb University. After college he found Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and immersed himself in the art, winning several local and international IBJJF titles. In 2022 he won IBJJF Master Worlds as a brown belt and was promoted to black belt under Guilherme Mendes of AOJ (Art of Jiu Jitsu); he is a two-time IBJJF Master 1 World 3rd-place black belt (2022, 2024). Brett lives in Wilmington with his wife, Abbie, and their two daughters.
Robert Taylor
Black Belt
Co-founder and lead instructor. Robert has been training and competing in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu since 2011 (IBJJF Charlotte Open and Pan Jiu Jitsu Championship) and was promoted to black belt by Guilherme Mendes of AOJ (Art of Jiu Jitsu). He has coached numerous adult and youth competitors to local, state, and national championships. After 22 years of service, Robert retired from the United States Probation Office in 2021, where he served as a lead firearms and unarmed self-defense instructor — experience he brings to the mats every day. He lives in Wilmington with his wife, Susan.
Jeff Sorbel
Black Belt
Co-founder and lead instructor. Jeff received his black belt from Professor JT Torres and competes regularly in IBJJF tournaments — a Pan Am Champion and multiple-time Open champion at Master 6. He began his Jiu Jitsu journey almost eleven years ago training alongside his son, Jake (now a blue belt), and the two still train together whenever possible. Jeff holds a master's in Applied Probability and Statistics and co-founded Triangle Biostatistics, which he grew into a multi-million-dollar corporation before retiring in 2019. He brings both his Jiu Jitsu skill and considerable business acumen to Paragon.
Cris DiNofa
Black Belt
Instructor. Cris was first introduced to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2008 at the suggestion of a high school wrestling teammate and continued training while running the Jiu Jitsu club at Appalachian State University, where he earned a Bachelor's in Exercise Science. He went on to complete his Doctorate in Physical Therapy and trained and competed across the US as a traveling physical therapist before settling in Wilmington. Cris brings a biomechanical perspective to his teaching and strives to ensure his students truly understand each technique.
Schedule
Weekly class schedule
Find a class that fits your week. New students and drop-ins always welcome.
Little Grapplers No-Gi / All Levels
Monday
8:00 – 9:15 AMAdult Gi
4:45 – 5:45 PM4-6 Year Olds Beginner
4:45 – 5:45 PM5-9 Year Olds
5:45 – 6:45 PM10-15 Year Olds
6:45 – 8:05 PMAdult Beginner Gi
Tuesday
8:00 – 9:15 AMAdult Gi
5:00 – 6:30 PMKids Competition Training
6:45 – 8:05 PMAdult Beginner No-Gi
Wednesday
8:00 – 9:15 AMAdult Gi
4:45 – 5:45 PM5-9 Year Olds
5:45 – 6:45 PM10-15 Year Olds
6:45 – 8:05 PMAdult Gi
Thursday
8:00 – 9:15 AMAdult No-Gi
4:45 – 5:45 PM4-6 Year Olds Beginner
4:45 – 5:45 PM5-9 Year Olds (No-Gi)
5:45 – 6:45 PM10-15 Year Olds (No-Gi)
6:45 – 8:05 PMAdult Gi
Friday
8:00 – 9:15 AMAdult Gi
Saturday
9:00 – 10:15 AMAdult Gi
Sunday
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Gallery
Life on the mats
Real training, real people. Tap any photo to take a closer look.
What students say
Loved by our community
★★★★★5.0 · perfect rating on Google
“
My son has been an active member since opening day and a student of our Professors for 3 years.
TSTheresa StutzGoogle review“
Paragon of Jiu Jitsu has a fun & structured environment providing the best conditions for my children to learn and excel.
CBChris BGoogle review“
Welcoming atmosphere and solid coaching. Recently started attending classes here as a newbie in my 40s. I was nervous to start, but Paragon has made the experience enjoyable.
DRDavid RookusGoogle review
Contact
Come train with us
Questions before your first class? Reach out — we're happy to help.
Address
5226 S. College Road, Suite 9B, Wilmington, NC 28412
No contract. No commitment. Just come train with us for a week and see what modern grappling instruction feels like. If it's not for you, no hard feelings.
★★★★★5.0 on Google
“My son has been an active member since opening day and a student of our Professors for 3 years.”
— Theresa Stutz
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You're in!
We'll reach out shortly to get you booked for your first free class. See you on the mats.
