Welcome to Elite Team Reedley

About us

Elite Team is Reedley’s leading Jiu Jitsu Academy. We offer classes in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai. Classes are led by experienced instructors and are designed for kids and adults or all ages and skill levels. Our academy is tailor-made for students new to martial arts as well as experienced grapplers and strikers interested in competing. Our coaches are here to help you learn a skill that aids in self-defense and get you in the best shape of your life.

Our Owners

Owners Andrew Tovar and Lauren Evangelho decided to become Elite Team affiliates and open their own gym in 2021 after dedicating over 16 years combined to learning the art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under their Professor and Elite Team Founder, Tom Knox. They decided that Andew’s hometown of Reedley CA where he was born and raised, was the perfect place to open their academy and give back to the community that had provided Andrew with so much as a child. Their mission of sharing their passion of Jiu Jitsu with the Reedley community is to help members develop a fitness lifestyle by providing a positive and supportive environment. We aim to create champions on and off the mats, regardless of students’ age or skill level.

Head Jiu Jitsu Coach Andrew Tovar

Professor Andrew has been training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for over 10 years and is a Black Belt under Professor Tom Knox from Visalia CA, founder of Elite Team. He worked as a Jiu Jitsu coach for the ProYouth after school programs at Mt. Whitney High Schools and Wittman Community Center for 3 years before opening his own academy.

Lineage:
Helio & Carlos Gracie > Royler Gracie > Cleber Luciano > Tom Knox > Andrew Tovar

Head Muay Thai Coach Crystal Vigil

Coach Crystal has been training Muay Thai for 8 years and is very passionate about the sport. “Muay Thai has taught me that you do not always have to be the best in the room, but if you are the hardest worker, eventually you will be.” Crystal is also a dedicated mom, and a paraprofessional, and loves to work with children. In addition to training Muay Thai, she is also a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Lineage:
Rafael Cordeiro > Doug Marshall > Keo