Meet your Hyattsville coaches
Black belts, champions, and hometown coaches — the team on the mats at 4616 Ingraham St.
Professor Deivid Dias
GFTeam black belt and Hall of Fame member, IBJJF Pan-Am Champion — founder of GFTeam Hyattsville and head coach of the academy.
Professor Charlene Dixon
GFTeam black belt, IBJJF Pan American Champion and Master Worlds silver medalist. Professor Charlene leads the women's program.
Professor Fernando Salazar
Born and raised in Guayaquil, Ecuador, Professor Fernando began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2016 at Alliance Ecuador, rising from white belt to brown under one roof. In 2025 he earned his black belt under Professors Fernando Soluco and Sebastian Guevara.
As a competitor, he was crowned Ecuador's National Champion at middleweight purple belt in 2023, reached the podium at the IBJJF Miami and New York Opens, and is a multiple-time gold medalist at PBJJF, Grappling Industries, and New Breed tournaments. His game is built on strong takedowns and relentless pressure passing — technical and heavy in equal measure.
Fernando moved to the U.S. in 2024 to pursue a Master's in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Maryland, where he also serves as head coach of the UMD BJJ Club. He brings an engineer's mindset to the mats — breaking down the mechanics behind every movement and helping students build a solid foundation. For him, teaching is about more than technique: it's making a real impact in people's lives through discipline, sportsmanship, and a healthier lifestyle. Fluent in English and Spanish, he welcomes students of every background and level.
Coach Omar Gonzalez
A D.C. native with proud Salvadoran roots, Omar is a husband, father of four, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu purple belt under Professor Deivid Dias. His love for Jiu-Jitsu goes beyond his own training, as his children also train and share in his passion for the art.
As an owner of GF Team Hyattsville, Omar is passionate about creating an environment where individuals and families can grow together, build lasting friendships, and develop discipline, confidence, and character both on and off the mats.
Outside of Jiu-Jitsu, Omar enjoys spending time with his family, coaching youth soccer, and giving back to the community that helped shape him. Guided by his faith, he believes in leading by example, serving others, and always striving to become better.
Coach David
David is a proud son of Hyattsville by way of El Salvador. A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu blue belt and active competitor, he has been training since the age of 10. His dedication to the sport extends beyond competition, as he believes in hard work, discipline, respect, and constantly striving to improve.
As a kids' class instructor, David is passionate about sharing his love for Jiu-Jitsu with the next generation. His goal is to help young athletes build confidence, develop strong character, and grow both on and off the mats.
Coach Amy Bowen
Raised in Aberdeen, Maryland, Amy is a passionate Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner, active competitor, and Economics student at the University of Maryland. With a second-place finish at Grappling Industries, she brings both competitive experience and a genuine love for the sport to the mats.
Beyond competition, Amy is passionate about working with children, building their confidence, and helping them reach their full potential. As a dedicated female role model, she hopes to inspire the next generation of young girls to embrace the challenges of Jiu-Jitsu, develop discipline, and discover their own strength.
For Amy, Jiu-Jitsu is about more than winning medals. It’s about building character, empowering others, and helping every student become the best version of themselves.