Get to know Joaquin Valente.
Joaquin, a Miami-based jiu-jitsu instructor, shared a video of Gisele Bündchen's session at his Florida academy in February 2022 with a caption thanking him and his brothers for their “amazing teachers” It became a hot topic for the first time.
The model first started training in Jiu-Jitsu in December 2021 and earned her Brazilian blue belt within a year. “I'm a very passionate person, so when I enjoy something, I give it my all,” Gisele said in an interview. dust magazine.
Romance rumors surfaced when Gisele and Joaquin visited Puntarenas (a state on the coast of Costa Rica) in November 2022, two weeks after her divorce from NFL star Tom Brady was finalized. . They were joined by the supermodel's two children, son Benjamin Lane, 14, and his daughter Vivian Lake, 11, as well as several others.
Over the next few months, the two were spotted out together several times. However, Gisele denied her romantic relationship with Joaquin, she said: vanity fair“Unfortunately, at this point, I'm divorced, so I think they're going to try to get attached to me in everything.”
A love bond blossomed between the two, and in February 2024, a source confirmed to PEOPLE that Gisele and Joaquin have been dating since June 2023.
Here's everything you need to know about Joaquin's relationship with supermodels.
He is the co-founder of the Self-Defense Force School in Miami
A third-generation practitioner of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Joaquin currently teaches the martial arts sport at a Miami-based academy with his brothers (and co-founders) Pedro and Gui. Pedro, the eldest of the brothers, began teaching Jiu-Jitsu classes throughout Miami after immigrating from Rio de Janeiro in 1993.
The youngest of the brothers, Joaquim was the last of the brothers to move to Miami. Upon his arrival, his involvement in teaching played a pivotal role in the development of the Friars' curriculum, due to the knowledge he had gained from the Grand Masters while in Brazil.
The Brothers offer classes to students of all genders and experience levels. According to the Valente Brothers website, “The technique of Jiu-Jitsu is based on natural movements that can be easily performed by anyone. We currently teach several older students as well as students with disabilities. “I will.”
He learned Jiu-Jitsu before he could walk.
Like his brothers, Joaquin discovered Jiu-Jitsu before he could walk and began lessons at the age of two. He learned from Grandmaster Helio Gracie. He is considered a legend in this practice and has taught three generations in his 67 years.
He is also trained in boxing and judo
In addition to jiu-jitsu, Joaquin is also trained in boxing and judo. He and his siblings were taught hitting and throwing techniques by experts at an early age. These skills were crucial to the overall Jiu-Jitsu training method, rather than strategies taught specifically for tournaments.
He holds the title of professor in jiu-jitsu.
Following in the footsteps of his family, Joaquín received his black belt and professor's diploma in 2007 from Grandmaster Helio Gracie. This honor is important in this field because it indicates expert-level technical and practical skills. This achievement was a great one for the family, as only 27 people had received this diploma from the Grand Master in 75 years.
He met Gisele at the academy through his son.
Gisele, who learned about the academy and the Valente brothers through a friend, looked for a martial arts school on her own, but it was her pre-teen son who introduced Joaquín (“I wanted to point him in the right direction''). ), she believes.
During an interview with dust magazine, Gisele revealed that she personally had no interest in Jiu-Jitsu at first. “At first, she didn't even consider it herself,” she began. “But when I brought it, [her son] When I got to first class and started talking to Joaquin, I realized it was more than just self-defense. ”
She said what intrigued her most was the philosophy behind jiu-jitsu. “I feel like it's very much in line with what I believe and want in my life and how I have a path to grow myself and become the best version of myself.” I did.”
he and gisele are dating
According to multiple sources, Joakim and Gisele started dating in June 2023.
“They're taking it slow,” a source tells PEOPLE. “They were great friends at first. She was very secretive about this and she wanted to keep it quiet until they got to know each other.”
Another source added, “They have similar backgrounds. They both left Brazil at a very young age. Gisele is in a great environment. Joaquín is a perfect fit for her.”
he earned a degree in criminology
Joakim moved to Miami in 2007 to study criminology at Barry University, where he earned a degree in the field. His oldest brother, Pedro, holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Miami, and his other brother, Gui, holds a Master of Science in Sports Management from Barry University's College of Human Performance and Leisure Sciences.
He was mentioned during Tom Brady's Netflix comedy roast
Netflix Best roast of all time: Tom Brady Brady was slammed by his A-list friends and some comedians. Her most notable is Kevin Hart, who poked fun at her divorce from NFL star Gisele and the model's relationship with Joaquin.
“Do you know who coached them? Gisele, she coached karate,” Hart said to a clearly uncomfortable Brady. “Tom, why didn't you think this would happen? Do you have eight karate classes a day?”
