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The BJJ Story
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Cyril Whitter III

Cyril Whitter III advocates manageable steps, enjoyable activity and accountability in his published fitness advice.

Biography

Aries traces Cyril Whitter III's martial-arts training to Alvin Lee's JCB School of Survival Arts at eleven. Its programme distinguishes Vee Arnis Jitsu from BJJ, listing his children's and adult JCB teaching alongside Leaira Caines, plus youth San Da coaching. Aries dates its founding to July 2017. Bernews' June 2017 report described a family-and-partner venture planning adult, youth and martial-arts programmes for four organisations. Garon Wilkinson thanked Whitter for inviting athletes accustomed to outdoor training and changing gyms. Alongside his teaching, Whitter developed his Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Bernews' July 2026 account dates his BJJ start to 2018, followed by a return after the pandemic and joining BDA BJJ in 2021. Under Roberto Carneiro, he earned blue and then a reported purple belt. Whitter credited his teacher's technical knowledge, demanding standards and attention to students, together with mentoring and teammates' support, for development beyond the mats as well as on them. In February 2026, Bernews reported him accompanying and coaching Jonathan Trott and Aaron Lugo in Brooklyn. He praised their effort and emphasized the commitment, courage and focus involved in competing overseas. His 2019 RG Health & Wellness column approached fitness through manageable changes rather than overwhelming goals. He encouraged readers to choose activities they enjoy and share their goals with a friend who could help them stay accountable. The support he offered others extended beyond martial arts. In a LinkedIn post, Aeziah Divine recalled Whitter first as his race-club president, then coach and an early sponsor in England. Welcoming renewed support from Whitter and Aries, Divine described an enduring supporter and family friend.

Sources for this profile

  • Bernews, July 2026.(opens in a new tab)

    • Bernews reported in July 2026 that Whitter began BJJ in 2018, returned after the pandemic and joined BDA BJJ in 2021. Training under Roberto Carneiro, he progressed through blue to a reported purple belt. Whitter credited Carneiro’s technical knowledge, standards and student development, alongside mentoring and teammates’ support, with his growth on and off the mats.

      Where in the source: Training and response.

      Accessed:

  • Aries Sports Center.(opens in a new tab)

    • Aries’ biography says Whitter began martial arts at eleven under Alvin Lee of JCB School of Survival Arts and founded the centre in July 2017. It describes his youth and adult jiujitsu teaching and support for youth San Da.

      Where in the source: Biography.

      Accessed:

  • Aries Sports Center.(opens in a new tab)

    • The school distinguishes Whitter’s Vee Arnis Jitsu black belt under Alvin Lee from his BJJ purple belt under Roberto Carneiro. Its JCB programme lists him teaching children and adults alongside Leaira Caines, and its San Da schedule also names him as a youth coach.

      Where in the source: Programmes and instructors.

      Accessed:

  • Bernews, June 2017.(opens in a new tab)

    • In June 2017, Bernews described Aries’ forthcoming opening as a venture by the Whitter family, Gina Monroe and Erin Lovell. Whitter welcomed the assembled team and planned adult, youth and martial-arts programmes. Garon Wilkinson thanked him for inviting Bermuda Sanshou Association, whose athletes had moved between gyms and trained outdoors; four sporting organisations were to share the centre.

      Where in the source: Opening and invitation.

      Accessed:

  • Bernews, February 2026.(opens in a new tab)

    • Bernews reported in February 2026 that Whitter accompanied and coached Jonathan Trott and Aaron Lugo in Brooklyn. He praised their effort and described overseas competition as requiring commitment, courage and focus.

      Where in the source: Coach’s comments.

      Accessed:

  • RG Magazines, 2019.(opens in a new tab)

    • In his 2019 RG Health & Wellness column, Whitter encouraged small, manageable changes, choosing activities people enjoy, and sharing goals with a friend who can help them stay accountable.

      Where in the source: Three recommendations.

      Accessed:

  • Aeziah Divine, LinkedIn.(opens in a new tab)

    • Aeziah Divine described Whitter as his former race-club president, later coach and an early sponsor when he raced in England. Thanking Whitter and Aries for renewed support, he called him a continuing supporter and family friend.

      Where in the source: Divine’s post.

      Accessed:

Lineage

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Open lineage