Our History

Hernán and Diego Guadalupe are brothers who have a long history of martial arts training stemming from their days practicing Fu Jow Pai Kung Fu under Sifu Paul Vizzio during their childhood and teenage years. After college and pursuing their careers, they began training Jiu Jitsu in 2009. Teaching became a significant component of their development, as they shared what they learned at local community centers. This was the beginning of Rollstar:

• In 2011, Ground Game Academy was created to properly promote Jiu Jitsu and establish a structured program in New Jersey and Maryland.

• In 2014, Diego and Hernán opened their first location in Hackensack, NJ, rebranding under Rollstar Jiu Jitsu Academy. The original gym on Banta St. only had 300 SF of mats, but interest quickly grew as we created a welcoming space to share Jiu Jitsu with others.

• In 2016 & 2017, we were honored to add multiple-time IBJJF Open Champion and Abu Dhabi Jiu Jitsu Pro Champion, Omar Delgado, to our coaching staff, formally launched our kids’ program, started our anti-bully and self-defense workshops, became an affiliate of Redzovic Jiu Jitsu under the guidance of Professor Adem Redzovic, hosted Thomas Rozdzynki (ROL Radio Podcast host), and promoted our first Blue Belt.

• In 2018 & 2019, we moved to a new facility with 1000 SF of mat space, added IBJJF No-Gi Pans and Europeans Champion, Professor Luis “AP” Gil, to our coaching staff, and hosted world-class competitors such as Francisco “Sinistro” Iturralde, Tim Spriggs, Lincoln Pereira, Brick Welch, Ataide Rafael, and Abraham Marte. During this period, we held our first kids’ summer camp, won our first team trophy, started our community service initiatives, including Lambdas Who Roll, hosted local competitions, formally branched into Maryland, and witnessed our own Omar Delgado’s promotion to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt under the legendary Vitor Shaolin.

• In 2020 & 2021, our Rollstar founders, Hernán and Diego, were promoted to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belts under Professor Ataide Rafael (GFTeam) and Professor Adem Redzovic (Downtown Jiu Jitsu), respectively. We also added Professor Adam Colón to our coaching staff and joined the Adopt-a-Cop BJJ Program.

A Decade Later…

A decade later, we are the premier Jiu Jitsu academy in the Hackensack area with a sister location in Windsor Mill, Maryland, and seven Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt as part of the coaching staff.

We pride ourselves on offering high-level instruction for both adults and children in clean, state-of-the-art facilities, which have earned us over 60 five-star reviews on Google.

Rollstar Jiu Jitsu Academy is committed to helping our current and future students to reach and surpass their personal goals while upholding our philosophy and loyalty to the roots of Jiu Jitsu.