Instructors
Adam Benayoun
Adam Benayoun began his martial arts journey in New York City as a teenager and has been coached by the world's best Jiu Jitsu players since his very first class. Adam received his blue and purple belts under 9-time black belt World Champion Lucas Lepri, his brown belt under 4X ADCC world champion Marcelo Garcia and is presently a second degree black belt under UFC standout and American-born Jiu Jitsu legend, Ryan Hall.
As a black belt, Adam has developed into both a detailed instructor and world class competitor at the international level. Adam's varied experience and passion for helping others make him a fantastic guide for beginner and advanced students alike. Apart from teaching and competing in Jiu Jitsu, Adam has become a valuable resource as an MMA corner having coached bouts in the UFC, ONE FC, FURY FC and more.
A summary of Adam’s accomplishments:
- Polaris Squads Champion (Team USA)
- Third Coast Grappling 155lb Champion
- IBJJF Miami Open No-Gi Champion (2024 black)
- IBJJF World No Gi Bronze Medalist (2023 black M1)
- IBJJF Austin Open No-Gi Weight and Open Class Champion (2022 black)
- IBJJF PAN No-Gi Silver Medalist (2022 black)
- Emerald City Invitational 155lb Tournament Finalist
- IBJJF New Orleans No-Gi Champion (2022 black)
- IBJJF Tennessee Open No-Gi Champion (2021 black)
- IBJJF Orlando Open No-Gi Champion (2021 black)
- IBJJF Oklahoma City Open Champion (2020 black)
- IBJJF Atlanta Open Silver Medalist (2020 black)
- IBJJF Denver Open Champion (2019 black)
- UAEJJF Canada Pro Champion (2015/2018/2019 black)
- UAEJJF NY Continental Pro Silver Medalist (2019 black)
- IBJJF New York Spring Int. Open Champion (2018 black)
- IBJJF Charlotte Int. Open Champion (2017 brown)
- IBJJF New York Spring Int. Open Champion (2015, 2017 brown)
- IBJJF Pan American Champion (2016 brown)
- IBJJF European Champion (2016 brown)
- IBJJF Pan American Bronze Medalist (2015 brown, 2011 blue)
- UAEJJF Abu Dhabi World Pro Silver Medalist (2015 brown)
- IBJJF New York BJJ Pro Champion (2015 brown, 2014 purple)
- IBJJF Boston Summer Int. Open Champion (2015 brown, 2012 purple)
- IBJJF New York Summer Int. Open Champion (2014 brown)
- IBJJF PAN No-Gi Champion (2014 purple)
- IBJJF PAN No-Gi Champion Silver Medalist (2010 blue)
Emma Reiter
Emma started training Jiu Jitsu in 2017 as a way to stay active while fueling her competitive drive. Under the guidance of Adam Benayoun, she has become an accomplished competitor on both local and national stages, earning titles including IBJJF No-Gi World Champion in the adult blue belt division.
At Black Cat Jiu Jitsu, Emma plays a key role in developing Black Cat’s youth program and leads the women’s-only class, creating a welcoming space for students of all levels. In December 2024, she became Adam Benayoun’s first brown belt. When she’s not on the mats, you’ll likely find her coaching, competing, or at the front desk. Be sure to say hi next time you're in the gym.
A summary of Emma's accomplishments:
- IBJJF New York Open Gi and No Gi Champion (2025, brown M2)
- IBJJF New York Open Open Class Champion (2025, brown M2)
- IBJJF World No Gi Silver Medalist (2024, purple M1)
- IBJJF World Master Bronze Medalist (2024, purple M1)
- IBJJF Virginia Open Gi and No Gi Champion (2024, purple M1)
- IBJJF Virginia Open No Gi Open Class Champion (2024, purple M1)
- IBJJF New Jersey Open Gi and No Gi Champion (2024, purple M1)
- IBJJF New Jersey Open No Gi Open Class Champion (2024, purple M1)
- IBJJF Atlanta Open Champion (2023 purple, M1)
- IBJJF World No Gi Silver Medalist (2023 purple M1)
- IBJJF PAN Bronze Medalist (2023 purple, M1)
- IBJJF Atlanta Open No-Gi Champion (2022, blue)
- IBJJF World Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Champion (2021, blue)
- IBJJF Charleston Open No-Gi Champion (2021, blue)
Frank Martellotti
Starting wrestling at the age of 8, Frank Martellotti has been a practitioner and competitor of the sport for over 20 years. Frank was a four-time PIAA state placer at Shady Side Academy High School in Pittsburgh, PA including a state championship in 2007, a third-place finish in 2008 and 2009 and a runner-up finish 2010. He has wrestled under collegiate and Olympic legends including Cael Sanderson, Cody Sanderson, and Casey Cunningham. Frank walked on as a true freshman at Penn state university and was ranked 16th in the nation. He was a member of 3 Penn state wrestling NCAA champion teams and qualified for nationals at 133 lbs after a 7th place big ten finish. In addition to Frank's wrestling exploits he is a purple belt under Adam Benayoun, an IBJJF World No-Gi champion and teaches our kids program alongside Emma.
A summary of Frankie's accomplishments:
- 168-21 high school record
- IBJJF World No Gi Champion (2024 purple M1)
- Ranked top 20 for 130lb high school wrestlers in 2010 (Intermat)
- 3x WPIAL champion
- 16th 4-time Pennsylvania state place-winner
- 2x PIAA bronze medal
- 1x PIAA silver medal
- PIAA State champion
- Ranked #16 in the NCAA at 125 lbs in 2010
- 7th place Big Ten finish in 2012
- 2012 NCAA qualifier
- 3x NCAA team national champion at Penn State
Ryan Clarke
Ryan was born in Baltimore, Md is an accomplished competitor, co-owner of District Tattoo Co. and Adam Benayoun's first black belt. Ryan started training in 2010 and has worked with a number of academies all over the DMV area. Around the academy, he has become a staple in the gym for his approachable demeanor, technical instruction and creativity. When he isn't training or tattooing you can find Ryan spending time with his wife Caitlin, his 2 corgi's and his black cat named Mortimer.
A summary of Ryan's accomplishments:
- IBJJF Atlanta Open Weight and Open Class No-Gi Champion (2024 brown, M2)
- IBJJF NY Open Champion (2023 brown, M1)
- IBJJF Atlanta Open Champion and Open Class Bronze Medalist (2023 brown, M1)
- IBJJF Nashville Open Bronze Medalist (2021 purple, M1)
- IBJJF Orlando Open Champion (2021 purple, M1)
- IBJJF Atlanta Open Silver Medalist (2021 purple, M1)
- IBJJF NY Open Silver Medalist (2018 blue)