Michael Renfroe - Black Belt and Owner of Hanto Union
Meet Your Instructor
Michael Renfroe has been training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for nearly 20 years.
Like most practitioners of his generation, Michael became interested in Jiu-Jitsu after watching Royce Gracie in the early UFC. After training in Judo for 2 years, Michael became serious about making Jiu-Jitsu training a reality and met Garth Spendiff while attending Georgia Southern University back in 2000. Michael trained from white belt all the way to black under the guidance of Garth and Scott Devine, both Black Belts under Relson Gracie lineage. During that time, Michael managed a club and competition team at Georgia Southern University. This was the second collegiate Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu club in the nation after Auburn. Michael also assisted Garth in teaching soldiers at Fort Stewart and served as an instructor to federal law enforcement officers at FLETC in Glynco Georgia. Michael has been currently running Hanto since 2019, teaching students from all walks of life, including college students, teachers and professors, and law enforcement.
My Approach
I believe that the ultimate ideal of Jiu-Jitsu is understanding and executing both the defensive and offensive nature of control at all times. This exists among 3 broad umbrellas where various skill sets are developed in training: Standing Position, Ground Position Top, and Ground Position Bottom. Being competent in all 3 areas is an essential part of being an effective Jiujiteiro.
Defense
Students understand what it means to be controlled and acquire skill in both breaking and preventing control underneath various pins and rides. Students will also gain competency in guard play or learning how to defend themselves while on their back and counter-attack. Over time, students will learn calm under pressure which is essential to surviving in self defense situations and competition.
Offense
Students will learn how to pass various guards and execute pins and rides against resistance. Students will also learn how to apply submission holds across the body, including various joint locks and strangles. Significant time is also spent acquiring skills in executing throws and takedowns which lead to pins and submission attacks.