Professor Wancler Oliveira
Co-founder & Head Instructor
4th Degree Black Belt
ARKA School Of Jiu-Jitsu is led by Professor Wancler Oliveira, 4th degree black belt with 20+ years of experience in the sport as a student, competitor, and professor. At the black belt level, Wancler is a 2x world champion, 2x Pan champion, 4x Brazilian champion, European champion, and champion of the Copa Podio. His level of intensity in competition is matched only by his nurturing attitude when teaching.
Wancler began his jiu-jitsu journey at the age of 17 in his hometown of Aracaju, Sergipe, a coastal town of eastern Brazil. His brother, Wagner, had been training for a few years and encouraged Wancler to begin. They became close training partners, both winning world titles, and together with another student, Adriano Déda, founded the original ARKA in Aracaju in 2016.
In 2012, Wancler traveled to the United States for the first time to compete. Later he was offered a position to move to the US to live, teach, train, and compete; a dream come true. Since then, he has inspired and changed the lives of many through his love of the sport and natural ability to put people at ease. From toddlers, children, teenagers, seniors, doctors and police officers to high level competitors and MMA fighters, he tailors the sport for each in a way that is most beneficial and safe for all.
Professor Wagner Oliveira
4th Degree Black Belt
Judo Black Belt
ARKA School Of Jiu-Jitsu was founded in Brazil by brothers Wagner and Wancler Oliveira and their long-time friend, Adriano Déda. As they open their fourth gym in Brazil, professor Wagner is visiting as a special guest instructor at our ARKA in Missouri City. At the black belt level, Wagner is a World champion and 6x Brazilian champion among many others. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education and a Graduate Degree in Exercise Physiology, making him especially knowledgeable in the human body and its movements. He is passionate about helping his students understand their physical abilities and expand their limitations in an effective and safe way.
As a father of three aspiring jiu-jitsu players, Wagner is motivated to create an engaging and supportive class environment for all ages and skill levels, where students can feel safe and positively challenged within the sport.
Professor Sharon Emde
Black Belt Instructor
Sharon is a Houston native with a background in Kinesiology and Exercise Science and a master’s degree in physical therapy. She found her passion for Brazilian jiu-jitsu later in life, starting with kickboxing and boxing before diving into Jiu-Jitsu at 44, and quickly immersing herself in the sport. Despite facing chronic illnesses and major surgeries along the way, Sharon competed in over 40 IBJJF competitions in 6 years, including several majors, winning numerous titles along the way.
Sharon is a World Champion and 2x silver medalist, 2x Pan Champion and 2x silver medalist, 2x World Champion NOGI and 2x medalist, and NOGI Pan medalist, having one a major tournament at every colored belt. In 2021, she was promoted to black belt at the IBJJF World Masters Championship.
Despite her competitive success, Sharon’s journey has not been without challenges. Her experiences have given her unique insights into modified training and jiu-jitsu-related rehabilitation, which she now shares as an enthusiastic instructor.
Train With World Champions