Person Biography:
Andre Lima, also known as Grandmaster Lima, is the founder of Lima Academy. He is an 8th Degree Black Belt, officially certified by the World Tae Kwon do Federation (WTF) and one of the few worldwide to obtain the internationally recognized diploma of the Kukkiwon.
Andre began his Taekwondo journey over 40 years ago in his hometown of Brasilia, Brazil, when his father signed him up for lessons as a birthday present. He studied and competed under the guidance of Masters Soo Myung Choi and Carlos Eduardo Loddo, who became his mentor.
At 17, Andre's family moved to Fortaleza, Brazil, where he started the first Lima Taekwondo Academy in the 80s. He is recognized by the Brazilian Federation as a pioneer of Taekwondo in the north of the country. Today, there are several Taekwondo schools in and around Fortaleza, some of which are owned by his former students, including former Brazilian national champions.
Andre attended medical school for a year before deciding to focus on a career as a martial artist. At 22, he left Brazil and moved to Europe, where he started competing in the International Tournament circuit, winning numerous medals and expanding his knowledge. He was featured in various internationally renowned Martial Arts magazines in Europe during his two-year stay in the continent.
In France, Andre worked for French Grandmaster Edouard Branco, teaching Taekwondo in his two schools in Paris. He holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, which he began training in Brazil under Grandmaster Francisco Sa in 1986, and got his black belt from Master Rigan Machado in Los Angeles. He also holds a black belt in Japanese Shotokan Karate.
Although Andre officially retired from formal competition in 1993, he continued to compete occasionally, pitting his skills and experience against players in the younger division. In the early 90s, he participated in a few Point Fight Karate tournaments in New York City, and in 2001, he took 2nd place at the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Pan-American Championships in Florida.
Over the past three decades, Andre has used his knowledge and skills as a fight choreographer and actor in Hollywood movies, as well as a writer of best-selling Martial Arts books. He has been featured on the cover of top Fighting magazines in the US, Europe, South America, and Australia, made TV appearances, competed, taught, and studied Martial Arts in 30 countries, including Korea, the birthplace of Taekwondo. His vast work is internationally recognized by the Martial Arts community.
