A martial arts studio in San Jose run by a world-renowned Brazilian jiu-jitsu champion has been struck by a hit-and-run driver, causing significant damage, and a serious investigation is underway. KRON4 reported that the Caio Terra Academy, situated at the intersection of Park Avenue and Sunol Street, was hit by a vehicle around 4:03 PM on Sunday. The collision shattered the studio's physical structure – brick walls, framing, glass, and mats – and left the establishment with a hefty repair bill of about $50,000. Nick Haloski, the academy's director, detailed the destruction, explaining it was triggered by a truck that blasted through a stop sign and crashed into the studio.
Despite the setback, the jiu-jitsu studio resumed classes the following day, showing resilience in adversity. "Despite this, we are open today. Full schedule, thanks to everyone who came out yesterday to help make that possible!!" the studio said in an Instagram post as obtained by KRON4. Meanwhile, the San Jose Police Department is actively searching for the driver who fled the scene. The driver was involved in a separate collision with another vehicle before striking the martial arts studio.
ABC7 News interviewed Caio Terra, the owner of the academy and a 12-time jiu-jitsu world champion, who expressed relief that the incident occurred when the studio was empty. "But he was probably [going] a crazy high speed because this is brick," Terra noted, emphasizing the force of the impact. In response to the event, a plywood wall temporarily covers the section where the vehicle barreled through. Terra emphasized his safety concern, "I was more concerned about the people - material damage can always be fixed."
