Instructor
Cleito Soares Junior
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt
Cleito Soares de Resende Junior, also known as Juninho, is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under Cleito Soares (Senior), with a strong foundation built through years of training alongside renowned instructors such as Paulo Rezende and Ronald Bauer. He is recognized for his skills in the rooster weight division and has built his reputation through major victories in both national and international tournaments.
Born on January 3, 1995, in São João del Rei, Minas Gerais, Brazil, Cleito Junior began practicing Jiu Jitsu at the age of 4, influenced by his father, who was a purple belt at the time. His first instructor was Ronald Bauer, and just one year after starting, he entered his first competitions and has been competing ever since.
At 16, he became part of the coaching staff at his family’s academy, first teaching kids classes and later working with the adult team. During his journey, he lived in Poços de Caldas, where he trained at Paulo Rezende’s well-known Fighter House, a program that produced many of the sport’s most respected athletes such as Marcelo Garcia. Under Rezende’s guidance, he conquered important titles and received his brown belt.
In 2013, he returned to Barbacena to support his father’s academy, and in 2014 he was awarded his black belt by Cleito Soares Senior. Since then, he has continued to dedicate himself to training and competition at the highest level.
Lineage
Takeo Yano → José Senador → Alberto Lage → Ronald Bauer → Cleito Soares → Cleito Soares Jr
Main Achievements – Black Belt
- CBJJ Brazilian National Champion (2018)
- CBJJE Brazilian National Cup Champion (2015)
- IBJJF Curitiba Fall Open Champion (2017)
- IBJJF European Open Runner-up (2018)
- IBJJF Belo Horizonte Summer Open 3rd Place (2017)
Main Achievements – Colored Belts
- CBJJE World Cup Champion (2012 – purple belt)
- CBJJE Juvenile World Cup Champion (2011 – blue belt)
- CBJJE Brazilian National Cup Juvenile Champion (2011 – blue belt)
Technical Information
- Nickname: Juninho (meaning “little Junior” in Portuguese)
- Favorite Position/Technique: Open Guard
- Weight Division: Rooster Weight (57.5 kg / 127 lbs)
