BJJ in Bethesda

Bethesda carries two listings, anchored by **Groundworks Brazilian Jiu Jitsu** (4.9 stars, 168 reviews; $199/mo published) — owned by Yamasaki black belts Sean Diviney (started BJJ 1999 at U Colorado-Boulder, trained at Yamasaki Academy under Mario, Fernando, and Francisco Neto, promoted to black belt by Fernando in 2016, IBJJF Pan Am Silver and multiple IBJJF Gold) and Chris Chi (started 2008, also a Fernando Yamasaki black belt). Programs run Adult BJJ (Gi & No-Gi), Beginner-Friendly Training, Self-Defense, Kids/Youth BJJ (7-12), and Competition, one Metro stop from the District line via the Red Line Bethesda Station. **Ascend Institute of Martial Arts** (4.9 stars, 47 reviews; $99/mo published) offers Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (Gi & No-Gi) for kids 6-9 and 10-13 and adults, combining Gracie methods with practical self-defense and strength training, with a Mon-Sat morning + evening schedule and a Friday open mat 6-7 PM — unusually accessible pricing for the Bethesda corridor.