STORY BY KEITH WILSON

PHOTOS BY VICTOR GENOVESI

Victor Genovesi is on a mission to introduce Jiu-Jitsu to the Wood River Valley.

Its roots reach back more than 2,500 years to Buddhist monks who developed a unique self-defense system inspired by the graceful and effective moments of animals to stave off the mistreatment they encountered from others.

Known as “the yielding-art,” its core philosophy is to manipulate an opponent’s force against themselves rather than directly opposing it by using pins, joint locks and throws.It found a home among samurai warriors as a Japanese martial arts technique designed to supplement the swordsmanship of a warrior during combat in the 17th century.

Genovesi is teaching the art at his new Alliance Jiu-Jitsu studio next to Wiseguy Pizza Pie on Hailey’s Main Street.

Genovesi is no stranger to Jiu-Jitsu. He began practicing Jiu-Jitsu when he was three years old, largely influenced by his father Alexandre Paiva, who founded an Alliance Jiu-Jitsu association with Romero Jacare Cavalcanti and Fernando Gurgel in 1993.

Genovesi also learned the ropes from his mother, Dani Figueiredo, a jiu-jitsu world champion and marathon runner. And he put it to good use at age 14 when he was the subject of a bullying experience.

Over the years, he has been crowned London Open Champion and São Paulo Open Champion. He’s won third place in the Brasileiro No Gi Championship and third place in the Pans Championship.

Since moving to Idaho, he’s decided that the best way to grow and improve Jiu-Jitsu is to open a chapter of association co-founded by his father.

Alliance is not the first and only Jiu-Jitsu studio in the Wood River Valley, but the demand seems to be here. Genovesi says that Jiu-Jitsu has grown in the United States and worldwide.

One of the best grapplers in the world is American, and that person was the first one to garner mainstream attention without competing in mixed martial arts.

Alliance is the most accomplished of all the Jiu-Jitsu associations, with 13 World Titles from the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation, Genovesi said. He attributes these accomplishments to the mission of Alliance, which has always been to improve Jiu-Jitsu as a whole.

This improvement means the practice of technique, the development of business practices, the improvement of safety protocols of jiu-jitsu practitioners, honing the methods of teaching, enhancing customer service and succeeding as a business.

Alliance, which has 340 branches worldwide, offers Jiu-Jitsu lessons for all levels, from beginners to competitors, including kids and adults. The culture of Alliance, Genovesi says, is rooted in creating a positive and inclusive environment. The studio is not just a place to learn this martial art. It’s a community that strives to value respect, discipline, and camaraderie.

To learn more, visit https://haileyjiujitsu.com.